Santa Barbara · Renting & eviction
Renting in Santa Barbara: the rules that apply
Santa Barbara adds just-cause rules for qualified tenants and relocation pay for no-fault terminations. Its own rent rule covers only mobilehome park spaces on transfer of ownership; state law sets the rent cap for covered units.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.6% for August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; the city limit covers only mobilehome spaces after a sale.
- Just cause: City rule: just-cause protection covers rental units lived in by qualified tenants; state law requires just cause after 12 months in covered units.
- Relocation pay: City rule: no-fault terminations require the City Council's set amount or 1 month's rent plus $1, whichever is greater.
- No-fault notice: City rule: a no-fault termination notice states the relocation payment's dollar amount, the tenant's right to it and the right of first refusal.
- 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.
- Deposits: State law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, or 2 months for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 days of move-out.
Each rule below is marked Santa Barbara code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
| Floor or ceiling on the increase |
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Also in Santa Barbara's code: Mobilehome and Recreational Vehicle Park Lease Regulations (§ 26.08.060) — mobilehome park spaces, on transfer of ownership only. This page does not summarize it yet.
CA state law Underneath, California law still 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
| Units covered |
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CA state law Underneath, California law still 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
| What a notice must say |
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|---|---|
| Notice to end a tenancy |
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| 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Barbara 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
| Tax rate |
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| Who collects it |
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Other Santa Barbara rules on this
Santa Barbara's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome and Recreational Vehicle Park Lease Regulations (§ 26.08.060) — mobilehome park spaces, on transfer of ownership only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Santa Barbara?
State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.6% for August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; the city limit covers only mobilehome spaces after a sale.
Does a landlord in Santa Barbara need a reason to evict?
City rule: just-cause protection covers rental units lived in by qualified tenants; state law requires just cause after 12 months in covered units.
Does a Santa Barbara landlord have to pay relocation?
City rule: no-fault terminations require the City Council's set amount or 1 month's rent plus $1, whichever is greater.
How much notice does a Santa Barbara landlord have to give?
City rule: a no-fault termination notice states the relocation payment's dollar amount, the tenant's right to it and the right of first refusal. State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
How much can a Santa Barbara landlord charge for a security deposit?
State law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, or 2 months for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 days of move-out.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's code: An extra 2% of the rent, on top of the 10% hotel tax. (A separate tax added to the base hotel tax.) (§ 4.09.010); 10% of the rent the operator charges. (Base hotel tax; a separate 2% tax is added on top.) (§ 4.08.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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