West Hollywood · Renting & eviction

Renting in West Hollywood: the rules that apply

West Hollywood adds its own rules on rent increases for older tenancies, eviction reasons, relocation fees, deposit interest, harassment and buyout agreements. The city has no rule of its own on landlord entry, so state law applies.

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Key points

Rent increases: For tenancies created before January 1, 1996, the city limits rent to no more than 10% above any rent in the past 12 months.
Just cause: The city lists the reasons to end a tenancy, including unpaid rent and a material breach not cured after written notice.
Relocation fees: For no-fault evictions, the city requires a relocation fee from its fee schedule, paid at the same time as the notice.
Eviction notice: A city eviction notice must state the specific grounds in detail and name the code provision relied on.
Harassment: City rules set civil harassment damages at actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater, plus $5,000 per offense against seniors or disabled tenants.
Buyouts: Under city rules, a tenant may cancel a buyout agreement for up to 30 days after all parties sign.

Each rule below is marked West Hollywood code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Rent increases

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Annual increase limit	No more than 10% above any rent in effect for the tenancy in the past 12 months. Applies: Tenancies created before January 1, 1996; the annual general adjustment counts toward the 10%. § 17.32.060 · code text Any increase in the actual rent demanded, accepted or retained shall not result in a rental rate which is more than ten percent greater than any rental rate in effect for that tenancy at any time during the preceding twelve-month period.
Petitions and pass-throughs	The 10% limit does not cover increases a hearing examiner or Rent Stabilization Commission approves by final decision. Applies: Tenancies created before January 1, 1996. § 17.32.060 · code text Such limitation, however, shall not apply to any rent increases approved by a final decision of either a hearing examiner or the Rent Stabilization Commission pursuant to Chapter 17.44.

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

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Allowed at-fault reasons	Not paying rent the landlord is lawfully owed. § 17.52.010 · code text The tenant has failed to pay the rent to which the landlord is lawfully entitled. A material and substantial breach of a tenancy obligation or covenant, not cured within a reasonable time after written notice. § 17.52.010 · code text The tenant has materially and substantially breached an obligation or covenant of the tenancy, and has failed to cure such material and substantial breach of the lease or agreement within a reasonable time after having received written notice from the landlord Not complying with a tenancy change required by a government agency, an insurer, or law. Applies: A notice based on a government warning or insurer letter is void unless it is attached; insurer changes must concern health or safety. § 17.52.010 · code text a landlord may evict a tenant if he or she does not comply with either of the following: (a) a change in tenancy required by a government agency charged with responsibility for ensuring public health, welfare, and safety in residential buildings; (b) a change in tenancy relating to health or safety conditions at the premises that is required by an insurance company as a condition of providing coverage; or (c) a change in tenancy required to comply with federal, state or local law,

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

West Hollywood code For no-fault evictions, the city requires a relocation fee from its fee schedule, paid at the same time as the notice.

All 8 West Hollywood rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Notices

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Filing a copy with the city	Yes, within 5 days after serving the tenant. Applies: Any notice that must go to affected tenants or be recorded with the County when ending a tenancy under Section 17.52.010. § 17.52.060 · code text Any notice which must be provided to the affected tenants or recorded with the County in connection with the termination of a tenancy pursuant to Section 17.52.010 shall be filed with the Commission within five days of service upon the tenant. Yes, within 5 days after serving the tenant. Applies: An unlawful detainer summons or complaint served for just cause under the city's just-cause rules. § 17.52.060 · code text Any landlord who serves a summons or complaint for unlawful detainer upon a tenant for just cause under this chapter shall also file a copy of said documents with the Commission within five days of service upon the tenant.
What a notice must say	A written notice stating the specific grounds for termination in detail and naming the specific code provision relied on. Applies: Any termination based on the city's allowed eviction grounds. § 17.52.070 · code text Any landlord who attempts to terminate a tenancy pursuant to any of the grounds set forth in Section 17.52.010, shall provide the tenant a written notice to quit or terminate which states with particularity the specific grounds upon which the landlord is relying in terminating the tenancy and recites the specific subsection of Section 17.52.010 under which the landlord is proceeding.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
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. Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)
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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)
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) Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)
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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(d)
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. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)
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 Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)
No fee for serving notices	A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice Civ. Code § 1946.1(i)

Security deposits

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
When interest is paid	Each year, on or before January 31 of the following year. Applies: For interest earned in the year ending December 31, paid directly or as a rent credit until the deposit is returned. § 17.32.020 · code text On or before January 31st of the following year, the landlord shall make a payment to the tenant or allow a rent credit for interest on the amount held as security deposit for the previous year ending December 31st. When the tenant moves out. Applies: Interest accrued for a tenant who vacates the unit. § 17.32.020 · code text Any interest accrued to the benefit of a tenant who vacates a rental unit shall be paid to the tenant upon departure from the premises.
Interest on deposits	Yes; the Rent Stabilization Commission sets the rate each year using its regulations. Applies: Starting with calendar year 1994. § 17.32.020 · code text Beginning with the calendar year 1994, interest on security deposits retained by landlords shall accrue at rates to be determined annually by the Rent Stabilization Commission in accordance with the formulas set forth in the Rent Stabilization Regulations.
Deposit limit	No more than state law allows; it cannot be raised mid-tenancy, except a pet deposit in pre-March 24, 2022 tenancies. § 17.32.020 · code text In no event may the total security deposit collected exceed the maximum set by state law. No extra security deposit may be collected for a pet. Applies: Tenancies starting on or after March 24, 2022, for pets the city's rules allow. § 17.32.020 · code text For tenancies commencing on or after March 24, 2022, a landlord may not collect an additional security deposit at any time during the tenancy to permit the tenant(s) to have a pet(s) allowed by this chapter even if not permitted previously during the tenancy.

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Presumption period	6 months. Applies: In an eviction case, after the tenant used rights under the law. § 17.52.040 · code text proof of the exercise by the tenant of rights under the law within six months prior to the alleged act of retaliation shall create a rebuttable presumption that the landlord's act was retaliatory.
Protected activities	Using the rights the city's rent rules give tenants. Applies: The landlord's main intent in ending or not renewing the tenancy is retaliation, and the tenant is not behind on rent. § 17.52.040 · code text If the dominant intent of the landlord in terminating a tenancy or refusing to renew a tenancy is retaliation against the tenant for exercising his or her rights under this title, and if the tenant is not in default as to the payment of rent, the landlord may not terminate the tenancy
Remedies	The landlord may not end or refuse to renew the tenancy, or force the tenant out. Applies: The landlord's main intent is retaliation for the tenant using these rights, and the tenant is not behind on rent. § 17.52.040 · code text the landlord may not terminate the tenancy or refuse to renew the tenancy or cause the tenant to quit involuntarily.

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

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Penalties	A fine of up to $1,000, up to 6 months in County Jail, or both. Applies: A criminal conviction for violating the harassment rules. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person who is convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not greater than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Actual damages or $10,000 in statutory damages, whichever is greater, plus punitive damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Applies: A civil violation of the harassment rules. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person or entity violating any of the provisions of this section is liable for each and every such offense for actual damages suffered by the aggrieved party, or for statutory damages in the sum of $10,000, whichever is greater, and for punitive damages, and shall be liable for attorneys' fees and costs. An extra $5,000 in statutory damages for each offense. Applies: The harmed tenant was a senior citizen or disabled when the harassing conduct occurred. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person or entity violating any of the provisions of this section is liable for additional statutory damages in the sum of $5,000 for each and every such offense if the aggrieved party is a senior citizen or disabled tenant when any of the harassing conduct occurred.
Tenant lawsuits	Yes; anyone, including the city, may sue to enforce these rules. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person, including the city, may enforce the provisions of this section by means of a civil action.
Prohibited acts	Engaging in harassment of a tenant, including reducing or eliminating housing services; reducing maintenance or failing to timely complete necessary repairs; abusing access to the rental unit; abusive or threatening conduct; misrepresenting or concealing facts to induce vacancy; discrimination; improper threats or attempts to recover possession; interfering with use, enjoyment, privacy, organizing, or agency assistance; refusing lawful rent; disturbing possession; coercive construction or renovations; habitability-plan violations; barring tenant entry; soliciting sexual conduct; immigration or citizenship inquiries or disclosures; and bad-faith rent increases to coerce vacancy. Applies: With respect to property used as a rental unit under any rental agreement or other tenancy or estate at will, and with intent to vex, annoy, injure, or intimidate a tenant § 17.52.090 · code text Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct done with an intent to vex, annoy, injure, or intimidate a tenant:

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Cutting services	The habitability plan must identify service disruptions and include steps to keep tenant amenities available. Applies: Construction work covered by a tenant habitability plan. § 17.30.020 · code text Disruption of tenant services
Tenant remedies	The landlord must provide parking at another location within a reasonable distance. Applies: Only for permitted construction needing an approved tenant habitability plan, when work blocks tenant parking between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. § 17.30.020 · code text If the work will interfere with tenant parking between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., the landlord shall provide parking at an alternative location within a reasonable distance of the property, The landlord must reimburse tenants for buying street parking permits. Applies: Only for permitted construction needing an approved tenant habitability plan, when work blocks tenant parking only outside 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. § 17.30.020 · code text If the work will interfere with tenant parking outside the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. only, the landlord shall provide a reimbursement to tenants for the purchase of street parking permits; A specific relocation plan showing the landlord can pay required relocation benefits and relocation will be orderly, timely and efficient. Applies: Only for permitted construction needing an approved tenant habitability plan, when conditions make a tenant's unit uninhabitable. § 17.30.020 · code text A specific plan for accommodating relocated tenants pursuant to Section 17.52.110 when the conditions at the property render a tenant's rental unit uninhabitable,

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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 West Hollywood 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 →

Buyout agreements

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Required disclosure	Yes — written disclosure on a form developed and authorized by the Rent Stabilization Division, provided to each tenant before making a buyout offer; it must state the tenant's right not to negotiate or enter an agreement, right to consult an attorney, right to rescind for up to thirty days, and right to obtain information from the Rent Stabilization Division, and include a signature/date space. § 17.52.140 · code text Prior to making a buyout offer, the landlord shall provide each tenant in that rental unit a written disclosure, on a form developed and authorized by the Rent Stabilization Division, that shall include the following:
Filing with the city	Yes — file with the West Hollywood Rent Stabilization and Housing Division no sooner than the thirty-first day and no later than sixty days after execution by all parties. Applies: Executed buyout agreements the tenant did not rescind; filed with proof of service of the disclosure and of the proposed agreement § 17.52.140 · code text The landlord shall file a copy of the executed buyout agreement, along with proof of service to the tenant of the disclosure notice as required by subsection (a) and the proposed agreement as required by subsection (b)(1), no sooner than the thirty-first day and no later than sixty days after the buyout agreement is executed by all parties.
Required terms	In the tenant's primary language; each tenant gets the proposed agreement at least 10 business days before signing. § 17.52.140 · code text Be in writing in the primary language of the tenant. The landlord shall give each tenant a copy of the proposed buyout agreement at least ten business days before it is executed. Must include, in bold at least fourteen-point type near the tenant's signature: "You may cancel this agreement in writing at any time before the thirtieth day after all parties have signed this agreement"; "You have a right not to enter into a buyout agreement"; and that the tenant may consult an attorney § 17.52.140 · code text Include the following statements in bold letters in at least fourteen-point type in close proximity to the space reserved for the signature of the tenant(s): The tenant must get a copy of the fully signed agreement. § 17.52.140 · code text A copy of the fully executed buyout agreement shall be provided to the tenant.
Time to cancel	Up to 30 days. Applies: Counted from when all parties sign; an agreement missing a required term can be cancelled at any time. § 17.52.140 · code text A tenant shall have the right to rescind a buyout agreement for up to thirty days after its execution by all parties.

Short-term rentals

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Allowed	No. Vacation rentals to transients are not allowed. Applies: Home sharing under the city's home sharing rules is the only exception. § 19.36.331 · code text No person shall offer, facilitate an offer, aid, or provide a vacation rental to any transient. Home sharing only. Applies: Needs a home sharing business license plus owner and HOA written approval. Not in rental units, income-restricted units, or Ellis Act properties within 7 years. § 19.36.331 · code text This section shall not apply to home sharing that takes place in accordance with Chapter 5.66 of the West Hollywood Business License Code.
Permit or registration	A valid business license for home sharing at the property. Applies: For home sharing. § 5.66.020 · code text No person shall offer, facilitate an offer, or conduct home sharing at any property unless it has obtained a valid business license to conduct home sharing at the property.

Hotel and short-term rental tax

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Tax rate	Hotel guests pay a tax of 12.5% of the rent. § 3.32.030 · code text For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of twelve and one-half percent of the rent charged by the operator.
Who collects it	The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. § 3.32.050 · code text Each operator shall collect the tax imposed by this chapter to the same extent and at the same time as the rent is collected from every transient.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in West Hollywood?

For tenancies created before January 1, 1996, the city limits rent to no more than 10% above any rent in the past 12 months.

Does a landlord in West Hollywood need a reason to evict?

The city lists the reasons to end a tenancy, including unpaid rent and a material breach not cured after written notice.

How much notice does a West Hollywood landlord have to give?

A city eviction notice must state the specific grounds in detail and name the code provision relied on.

How much can a West Hollywood landlord charge for a security deposit?

West Hollywood's code: Each year, on or before January 31 of the following year. (For interest earned in the year ending December 31, paid directly or as a rent credit until the deposit is returned.) (§ 17.32.020); When the tenant moves out. (Interest accrued for a tenant who vacates the unit.) (§ 17.32.020). State law: 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 West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: No. Vacation rentals to transients are not allowed. (Home sharing under the city's home sharing rules is the only exception.) (§ 19.36.331); Home sharing only. (Needs a home sharing business license plus owner and HOA written approval. Not in rental units, income-restricted units, or Ellis Act properties within 7 years.) (§ 19.36.331).

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: Hotel guests pay a tax of 12.5% of the rent. (§ 3.32.030); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.32.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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