San Rafael · Renting & eviction
Renting in San Rafael: the rules that apply
San Rafael adds its own just-cause eviction rules, a tenant-rights notice and relocation pay for no-fault evictions in Census Tract 1122.01; its rent stabilization covers only mobilehome park spaces. Rent caps for covered units, deposits, repairs and landlord entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Mobilehome rents: City rule for mobilehome park spaces only: increases up to 75% of the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CPI change in 12 months skip review.
- Just cause: City rule: ending a tenancy needs a listed cause, such as rent unpaid 3 days after written demand or a qualifying family move-in.
- Notice to end: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Relocation pay: City rule, Census Tract 1122.01 units occupied 30+ days only: no-fault relocation includes first and last month's rent, plus deposit and moving payments.
- Tenant rights: City rule: a rent increase notice is invalid without the notice of tenant rights describing the mediation service.
Each rule below is marked San Rafael code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
San Rafael code State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. City rule for mobilehome park spaces only: increases up to 75% of the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CPI change in 12 months skip review.
All 9 San Rafael rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
San Rafael code City rule: ending a tenancy needs a listed cause, such as rent unpaid 3 days after written demand or a qualifying family move-in.
All 9 San Rafael rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
San Rafael code City rule, Census Tract 1122.01 units occupied 30+ days only: no-fault relocation includes first and last month's rent, plus deposit and moving payments.
All 9 San Rafael rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
San Rafael code State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year. City rule: a rent increase notice is invalid without the notice of tenant rights describing the mediation service.
All 6 San Rafael rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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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Other San Rafael rules on this
San Rafael's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Rent Stabilization (Title 20) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Short-term rental program (Ch. 10.110)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can a San Rafael landlord charge for a security deposit?
San Rafael 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 San Rafael?
San Rafael's code: 10% of the rent the operator charges. (§ 3.20.030); The operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.20.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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