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Sacramento County · Renting & eviction

Relocation payments in Sacramento County

County rule: displaced tenants get 2 months' fair market rent plus their deposit back after a county vacate order, except tenant-caused conditions or disasters.

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Key points

  • Relocation pay: County rule: displaced tenants get 2 months' fair market rent plus their deposit back after a county vacate order, except tenant-caused conditions or disasters.

Each rule below links to the section of the Sacramento County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Sacramento County's code says

Sacramento County code What Sacramento County's code adds
Amount
  • 2 months of HUD fair market rent for the area, per unit, plus return of any deposit.
    Applies: A tenant displaced by a County order to vacate.
    § 16.20.510 · code text
    The relocation benefits shall be made available by the owner or designated agent to the tenant in each dwelling unit and shall be a sum equal to two months of the established fair market rent for the area as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • An amount the Director sets that covers utility service deposits.
    Applies: On top of the 2 months' fair market rent; tenant displaced by a County order to vacate.
    § 16.20.510 · code text
    In addition, the relocation payment shall include an amount, as determined by the Director, sufficient for utility service deposits.
Exemptions
  • Tenants who caused or substantially contributed to the condition behind the vacate order, including through a guest or invitee.
    § 16.20.520 · code text
    No relocation benefits shall be payable by the owner to any tenant who has caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the order to vacate as determined by the Director, nor shall any relocation benefits be payable to a tenant if any guest or invitee of the tenant has caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the order to vacate, as determined by the Director.
  • Units unsafe from fire, flood, earthquake or other events beyond owner/agent control, not caused or contributed to by them.
    § 16.20.520 · code text
    No relocation benefits shall be payable by the owner if the Director determines the unit or structure became unsafe or hazardous as a result of a fire, flood, earthquake, or other event beyond the control of the owner or the designated agent and the owner or designated agent did not cause or contribute to the condition.
When it is paid
  • Within 10 calendar days of the order's mailing or posting, or 20+ days before the vacate date, whichever is later.
    Applies: A tenant displaced by a County order to vacate.
    § 16.20.505 · code text
    The relocation benefits required hereunder shall be payable within 10 calendar days after the date the order to vacate is first mailed to the owner or posted on the premises, or at least 20 calendar days prior to the vacation date set forth in the order to vacate, whichever occurs later.
  • Within 24 hours after the notice is posted or mailed.
    Applies: Fewer than 10 calendar days between the order's first posting or mailing and the vacate date.
    § 16.20.505 · code text
    If there are fewer than 10 calendar days between the first posting or mailing of the order to vacate and the vacation date, the relocation benefits shall be payable within 24 hours after the notice is posted or mailed.
When relocation is owed
  • A County order to vacate that displaces the tenant.
    § 16.20.505 · code text
    The relocation benefits required hereunder shall be payable within 10 calendar days after the date the order to vacate is first mailed to the owner or posted on the premises, or at least 20 calendar days prior to the vacation date set forth in the order to vacate, whichever occurs later.

The California rule underneath

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 →

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Does a Sacramento County landlord have to pay relocation?

County rule: displaced tenants get 2 months' fair market rent plus their deposit back after a county vacate order, except tenant-caused conditions or disasters.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Sacramento County property

Ask GoCodebook how Sacramento County's relocation payments rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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More on renting & eviction in Sacramento County

All renting & eviction rules in Sacramento County

Rental registration and inspections in Sacramento County

Relocation under California's just-cause law

Sacramento County Municipal Code — full text