Sacramento County · Renting & eviction
Renting in Sacramento County: the rules that apply
Sacramento County's code, which applies only in unincorporated areas, adds relocation pay for tenants displaced by a County order to vacate. The county has no rent cap or just-cause rule of its own, so state law applies to those and to notices, deposits, repairs and entry.
Key points
- Rent increases: The county has no rent cap of its own; state law limits covered units to 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: The county has no just-cause rule of its own; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for just cause.
- Ending a tenancy: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Relocation pay: In unincorporated Sacramento County, a tenant displaced by a County vacate order gets 2 months of HUD fair market rent, plus any deposit returned.
- Payment timing: The county requires payment within 10 calendar days of the order's mailing or posting, or at least 20 days before vacating, whichever is later.
- No payment: The county's rule pays nothing to tenants who caused or substantially contributed to the condition behind the vacate order.
Each rule below is marked Sacramento County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sacramento County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Sacramento County have their own codes and their own pages.
Rent increases
CA state law Sacramento County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.6% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Sacramento County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →
Relocation payments
| Amount |
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|---|---|
| Exemptions |
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| When it is paid |
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| When relocation is owed |
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. No-fault eviction relocation assistance: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)). Relocation under California's just-cause law — the full state rule →
Notices
We found no Sacramento County rule on this in the Sacramento County Municipal Code (checked October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| Notice of a rent increase | At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% Applies: The 10% is measured against the rent charged at any time in the 12 months before the increase, counting all increases in that period together. |
|---|---|
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord) | 60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year Applies: Where the unit is covered by just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) or a local ordinance, the notice must also state a qualifying cause. |
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (tenant) | At least as long as the rental period (one month for a month-to-month tenancy) |
| 30-day notice when the unit is sold to an owner-occupant | 30 days' notice when a separately sellable unit is in escrow to a natural person who will live there for at least a year Applies: Notice within 120 days of opening escrow, given once, and all § 1946.1(d) conditions met. |
| Notice to pay rent or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, stating the amount due and how to pay Applies: May be served any time within one year after the rent became due. |
| Notice to cure a lease violation or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease term or leave |
| No fee for serving notices | A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice |
Security deposits
CA state law Sacramento County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →
Retaliation
CA state law Sacramento County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Retaliation protection period: For 180 days after a tenant complains about habitability (to the landlord or an agency), the landlord may not evict, raise rent or cut services in retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)). Retaliatory eviction in California — the full state rule →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law Sacramento County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Sacramento County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →
Landlord entry
CA state law Sacramento County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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| Who collects it |
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Other Sacramento County rules on this
Sacramento County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Short-term rentals (Ch. 4.08)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Sacramento County?
The county has no rent cap of its own; state law limits covered units to 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Sacramento County need a reason to evict?
The county has no just-cause rule of its own; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for just cause.
Does a Sacramento County landlord have to pay relocation?
In unincorporated Sacramento County, a tenant displaced by a County vacate order gets 2 months of HUD fair market rent, plus any deposit returned. The county requires payment within 10 calendar days of the order's mailing or posting, or at least 20 days before vacating, whichever is later. The county's rule pays nothing to tenants who caused or substantially contributed to the condition behind the vacate order.
How much notice does a Sacramento County landlord have to give?
State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
How much can a Sacramento County landlord charge for a security deposit?
Sacramento County has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Sacramento County?
Sacramento County's code: 12% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 3.08.030); Each operator collects the tax from the guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.08.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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