Sunnyvale · Renting & eviction
Renting in Sunnyvale: the rules that apply
Sunnyvale has no rent control of its own; state law caps rent increases on covered units. The city extends state just-cause protection to newer buildings and adds its own relocation pay and notices for no-fault just-cause evictions.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Building age: City rule: state just-cause protection covers residential property no matter when its certificate of occupancy was issued; short-term rentals are excluded.
- Just cause: State law: after 12 months' lawful occupancy, a covered unit's owner may end a tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
- Relocation pay: City rule: a no-fault just-cause eviction requires 2 times the tenant's monthly rent, with half paid within 15 calendar days of notice.
- Relocation notice: City rule: for a no-fault just-cause eviction, written notice of relocation help comes at least 30 days before the termination notice.
- Ending notice: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
Each rule below is marked Sunnyvale code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Sunnyvale 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
| Units covered |
|
|---|
Also in Sunnyvale's code: Residential Tenant Protections Programs (Ch. 19.71). This page does not summarize it yet.
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 |
|
|---|---|
| When it is paid |
|
| When relocation is owed |
|
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
Sunnyvale code City rule: for a no-fault just-cause eviction, written notice of relocation help comes at least 30 days before the termination notice. State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
All 5 Sunnyvale rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Sunnyvale 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 |
|
|---|
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
CA state law Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale 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 →
Short-term rentals
| Allowed |
|
|---|---|
| Permit or registration |
|
| Primary residence |
|
Hotel and short-term rental tax
| Tax rate |
|
|---|---|
| Who collects it |
|
Other Sunnyvale rules on this
Sunnyvale's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Residential Tenant Protections Programs (Ch. 19.71)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Sunnyvale?
State law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Sunnyvale need a reason to evict?
City rule: state just-cause protection covers residential property no matter when its certificate of occupancy was issued; short-term rentals are excluded. State law: after 12 months' lawful occupancy, a covered unit's owner may end a tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
Does a Sunnyvale landlord have to pay relocation?
City rule: a no-fault just-cause eviction requires 2 times the tenant's monthly rent, with half paid within 15 calendar days of notice.
How much can a Sunnyvale landlord charge for a security deposit?
Sunnyvale 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)).
Can I rent out my home short-term in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale's code: Only hosted rentals are allowed. (Director-approved hosted rentals in zones that allow homes; the host must live on site. All other short-term rentals are banned.) (§ 19.76.030); Director approval of the short-term rental is required. (Hosted short-term rentals.) (§ 19.76.040).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale's code: 12.5% of the rent. (In effect since January 1, 2019.) (§ 3.16.040); The guest pays the tax to the hotel operator when the rent is paid. (§ 3.16.040).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Sunnyvale property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question