Santa Ana · Renting & eviction
Renting in Santa Ana: the rules that apply
Santa Ana adds rent stabilization, just cause eviction, notice filing and harassment rules on top of state law. It has no relocation rule of its own, so the state's no-fault relocation payment applies.
Key points
- Rent increases: Santa Ana has rent stabilization; under the city's rule, a landlord may file a Fair Return Petition to raise rent above the normal limit.
- Just cause: Santa Ana's rule requires a just cause to evict after a tenant has continuously and lawfully lived there for 30 days.
- Notice filing: Under Santa Ana's rule, landlords file each termination notice and proof of service through the Rental Registry portal within 5 days.
- Notice content: Santa Ana termination notices must state at least 1 just cause, in the language used to negotiate the tenancy plus English.
- Relocation: Santa Ana has no relocation rule; state law gives 1 month's rent within 15 calendar days of notice for no-fault evictions of covered units.
- Harassment: Santa Ana bans harassment, including cutting housing services, abusing entry, and repeat move-out offers within 6 months after a written refusal.
Each rule below is marked Santa Ana code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
| Petitions and pass-throughs |
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Rent cap right now: 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
Santa Ana code Santa Ana's rule requires a just cause to evict after a tenant has continuously and lawfully lived there for 30 days.
All 9 Santa Ana rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
CA state law Santa Ana has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
Santa Ana code Under Santa Ana's rule, landlords file each termination notice and proof of service through the Rental Registry portal within 5 days. Santa Ana termination notices must state at least 1 just cause, in the language used to negotiate the tenancy plus English.
All 6 Santa Ana rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Santa Ana 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
| Protected activities |
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|---|---|
| Remedies |
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CA state law Underneath, California law still 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
Santa Ana code Santa Ana bans harassment, including cutting housing services, abusing entry, and repeat move-out offers within 6 months after a written refusal.
All 17 Santa Ana rules on harassment and lockouts, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 →
Condo conversions
| Relocation help |
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| Tenants' right to buy |
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Other Santa Ana rules on this
Santa Ana'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. 8, Art. XXI)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has rent stabilization; under the city's rule, a landlord may file a Fair Return Petition to raise rent above the normal limit.
Does a Santa Ana landlord have to pay relocation?
Santa Ana has no relocation rule; state law gives 1 month's rent within 15 calendar days of notice for no-fault evictions of covered units.
How much can a Santa Ana landlord charge for a security deposit?
Santa Ana 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 happens to tenants when a Santa Ana building converts to condos?
Santa Ana's code: Moving costs actually paid, up to $2,500.00 per unit. (Applies to each tenant moving out because the apartment is being converted to a condo or other common ownership unit.) (§ 34-334); Tenants may contract to buy their unit at a set price for 60 days; no tenant must move before then. (The 60 days start when tenants get written notice of the final public report and their right to buy.) (§ 34-334).
General information, not legal advice.
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