Walnut Creek · Renting & eviction
Renting in Walnut Creek: the rules that apply
Walnut Creek has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law applies to those. The city adds relocation pay for low-income tenants and longer notice for all people displaced by development projects.
Key points
- Rent increases: Walnut Creek has no rent cap of its own; the state cap for covered units is 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: Walnut Creek has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy in covered units.
- Downtown projects: City rule: low-income tenants displaced by development inside the West Downtown Specific Plan get 4 times the monthly rent, paid in cash.
- Other projects: City rule: low-income tenants displaced by development outside the West Downtown Specific Plan get 2 times the monthly rent.
- Move-out notice: City rule: people displaced by development get 120 days' written notice inside the West Downtown Specific Plan, 60 days outside it.
- State relocation: For no-fault evictions of covered units, state law requires one month's rent as relocation pay or a rent waiver.
Each rule below is marked Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.8% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Walnut Creek 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
| 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 Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek 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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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Walnut Creek?
Walnut Creek has no rent cap of its own; the state cap for covered units is 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Walnut Creek need a reason to evict?
Walnut Creek has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy in covered units.
Does a Walnut Creek landlord have to pay relocation?
City rule: low-income tenants displaced by development inside the West Downtown Specific Plan get 4 times the monthly rent, paid in cash. City rule: low-income tenants displaced by development outside the West Downtown Specific Plan get 2 times the monthly rent. For no-fault evictions of covered units, state law requires one month's rent as relocation pay or a rent waiver.
How much notice does a Walnut Creek landlord have to give?
City rule: people displaced by development get 120 days' written notice inside the West Downtown Specific Plan, 60 days outside it.
How much can a Walnut Creek landlord charge for a security deposit?
Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek?
Walnut Creek's code: Hotel guests pay a tax of 8.5% of the rent. (In effect since November 1, 1984.) (§ 8-3.03); The guest pays the tax to the hotel operator when the rent is paid. (§ 8-3.03).
General information, not legal advice.
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