Santa Maria · Renting & eviction
Renting in Santa Maria: the rules that apply
Santa Maria has no rent-increase or just-cause rule of its own, so state law applies to covered units. Its Mobilehome Parks chapter addresses relocation for mobilehome park conversions to other uses only.
Key points
- Rent increases: State law: covered units are capped at 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Santa Maria has no rule of its own.
- Just cause: State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner of a covered unit may end the tenancy only for a just cause.
- Ending a tenancy: State law: a landlord gives 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.
- Relocation pay: Santa Maria's Mobilehome Parks chapter covers park conversions to other uses only; state law gives 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions from covered units.
- Security deposits: State law: a deposit is at most 1 month's rent, or 2 for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 days of move-out.
- Retaliation: State law: for 180 days after a habitability complaint, landlords may not retaliate if the tenant is current on rent; once per 12 months.
Each rule below is marked Santa Maria code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Santa Maria has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
CA state law Santa Maria has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
Santa Maria has a related local rule: Mobilehome Parks (§ 12-9A.109) — mobilehome park conversions to other uses only. This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| No-fault eviction relocation assistance | One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice Applies: For no-fault just causes (owner move-in, withdrawal from market, substantial remodel, government order) on covered units; regardless of the tenant's income. |
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Notices
We found no Santa Maria rule on this in the Santa Maria Municipal Code (extracted October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| 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. |
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| 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 Maria 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 Maria 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 Maria 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 Maria 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 Maria 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 Santa Maria rules on this
Santa Maria's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Parks (§ 12-9A.109) — mobilehome park conversions to other uses only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Santa Maria?
State law: covered units are capped at 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Santa Maria has no rule of its own.
Does a landlord in Santa Maria need a reason to evict?
State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner of a covered unit may end the tenancy only for a just cause.
Does a Santa Maria landlord have to pay relocation?
Santa Maria's Mobilehome Parks chapter covers park conversions to other uses only; state law gives 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions from covered units. Santa Maria also has a related rule: Mobilehome Parks (§ 12-9A.109) — mobilehome park conversions to other uses only.
How much notice does a Santa Maria landlord have to give?
State law: a landlord gives 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.
How much can a Santa Maria landlord charge for a security deposit?
State law: a deposit is at most 1 month's rent, or 2 for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 days of move-out.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria's code: 10% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 3-9.03); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3-9.06).
General information, not legal advice.
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