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San Pablo · Renting & eviction

Condo conversions in San Pablo

City rule: tenants moving after a condo conversion notice get 1½ times monthly rent plus the deposit difference, unless they already gave move-out notice.

Key points

  • Condo conversions: City rule: tenants moving after a condo conversion notice get 1½ times monthly rent plus the deposit difference, unless they already gave move-out notice.

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

What San Pablo's code says

San Pablo code What San Pablo's code adds
Relocation help
  • one and one-half times the monthly rent plus the difference between the current and new security deposit
    Applies: Any tenant who relocates from the building after receiving conversion notification, except a tenant who gave notice of intent to move before receiving the notification
    § 15.44.080 · code text
    That the subdivider shall provide moving expenses of one and one-half times the monthly rent plus the difference between the current and new security deposit, to any tenant who relocates from the building to be converted after receipt of notification from the applicant of his intention to convert, except when the tenant has given notice of his intention to move prior to receipt of notification from the applicant of his intention to convert.
  • An additional 6 months to find suitable replacement housing.
    Applies: Applies to non-buying tenants over 62, handicapped, or with demonstrated problems, such as students finishing a term or families with several children.
    § 15.44.080 · code text
    Any nonpurchasing tenant who is over the age of sixty-two, handicapped or other tenants with demonstrated problems, such as students wanting to complete a school term or families with several minor children, will be given an additional six months in which to find suitable replacement housing;
  • Current information on comparable apartments in San Pablo and nearby areas.
    Applies: A relocation service to be described in the applicant's report.
    § 15.44.080 · code text
    Up-to-date information on comparable apartments within the city of San Pablo and the surrounding areas;
  • Transportation help for tenants looking for other housing.
    Applies: Applies in and around the East Bay area of the San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area.
    § 15.44.080 · code text
    Transportation assistance, in and around the East Bay Area of the San Francisco—Oakland Metropolitan Statistical Area, to tenants in finding alternate housing.
Notice to tenants
  • At least 60 days before the tentative map is filed.
    Applies: Notice of intention to convert, sent to each existing tenant by certified mail with return receipt requested.
    § 15.44.080 · code text
    Such notice shall be mailed to each tenant at least sixty days prior to the filing of the tentative map, and shall state the following:
  • At least 15 days before the tentative map is actually submitted.
    Applies: Written notice of intent to apply for conversion, sent by certified mail to all tenants.
    § 15.44.050 · code text
    D. A statement certifying that all tenants have been notified in writing of the intent to apply for conversion at least fifteen days prior to the actual submission of tentative map. Notice to the tenants shall be sent by certified mail.
Tenants' right to buy
  • At least 90 days exclusive right to buy their unit or another, on equal or better terms than the public.
    Applies: Starts when the subdivision public report is issued or sales begin, whichever is later.
    § 15.44.080 · code text
    The right shall run for a period of not less than ninety days from the date of issuance of the subdivision public report or commencement of sales, whichever is later, unless the applicant receives prior written notice of the tenant’s intention not to exercise the right.
Vacancy-rate test
  • 5% rental vacancy rate.
    Applies: Below 5%, the city may deny a conversion that would significantly reduce rental units and conflict with the housing element.
    § 15.44.100 · code text
    In the event that the rental vacancy rate falls below five percent, the city may deny approval of the condominium conversion project proposal if the city finds that the conversion will significantly reduce the availability of rental units and therefore, the conversion will conflict with the goals and policies contained in the housing element of the general plan.
  • Below a 3% rental vacancy rate, the conversion application is denied.
    Applies: Unless, for 59 years, 40% of units are sold affordably, at least 20% to households under 80% of San Francisco SMSA median income.
    § 15.44.100 · code text
    If the rental vacancy rate is found to be below three percent, the application for conversion shall be denied, unless the applicant, for a period of fifty-nine years as outlined in Sections 15.44.050 (H)(7) and 15.44.090 (D), agrees to sell and provide for the maintenance of, at affordable prices, forty percent of the units to low and moderate income households, with a minimum of twenty percent being affordable to households earning less than eighty percent of the San Francisco SMSA median income;

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What happens to tenants when a San Pablo building converts to condos?

City rule: tenants moving after a condo conversion notice get 1½ times monthly rent plus the deposit difference, unless they already gave move-out notice.

General information, not legal advice.

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