Concord Rent Control Ordinance

The City of Concord has adopted one of the strongest tenant protection programs in Contra Costa County. The Residential Tenant Protection Program, effective April 2024 and updated May 22, 2025, limits annual rent increases, expands just-cause eviction protections, and requires landlords to register rental units with the City.

Key Updates Effective May 22, 2025

  • Rent Cap: For multifamily buildings built before February 1995, annual rent increases are capped at 5%. This replaces the prior cap of 3% or 60% of CPI, whichever was less.

  • Just Cause for Eviction: Applies to landlords who rent three or more single-family homes or condominiums in Concord. Landlords with only one or two homes/condos are exempt.

  • Rent Registry: All rental properties, including single-family homes and condos, must register with the City’s Rent Registry Program.

What Units Are Covered?

Just-cause eviction protections apply to nearly every rented home in Concord—including single-family homes, condos, rooming houses, illegal units, and live-work spaces—unless specifically exempt (e.g., hotels, hospitals, dorms, owner-occupied duplexes, or accessory dwelling units).

Rent stabilization applies to multifamily buildings built before February 1995, but not to single-family homes or condos. If your unit is exempt under Concord law, you may still be protected by the California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).

JUST-CAUSE EVICTION PROTECTIONS

A landlord cannot evict a tenant without a valid reason. Permissible grounds fall into two categories:

For-Cause Reasons include:

  • Nonpayment of rent.

  • Substantial lease violation (after written notice to cure).

  • Nuisance or criminal activity.

  • Refusing to sign a similar renewal lease.

  • Unauthorized subletting.

No-Fault Reasons include:

  • Owner or relative move-in (with restrictions).

  • Ellis Act (removing the unit from the rental market).

  • Demolition or substantial remodel.

  • Compliance with a government order.

Special Protections

  • School-Age Children: Families with children in TK–12th grade cannot be evicted for owner/relative move-in, Ellis, government compliance, demolition, or remodel during the school year.

  • Elderly, Disabled, or Terminally Ill Tenants: May not be evicted for owner or relative move-in unless the landlord or their family member is also elderly, disabled, or terminally ill.

Relocation Assistance

For no-fault evictions (owner move-in, Ellis, government order, demolition, or remodel), landlords must pay three months of HUD fair market rent plus $3,000. Tenants in single-family homes and condos receive two months’ rent plus $2,000. Low-income, elderly, disabled, terminally ill, or school-age households receive an additional month’s rent.

RENT CAPS AND INCREASES

  • Annual increases capped at 5% for covered multifamily and mobilehome units.

  • No banking of unused increases.

  • Landlords may file a Fair Return Petition if they believe operating costs prevent them from earning a fair return.

  • Tenants may file a Decrease in Services Petition if a landlord fails to maintain services or make repairs.

  • Vacancy decontrol applies—when a tenant moves out, the landlord can set rent to market rate for the next tenant.

Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization

Concord also has a separate Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance (since 1994) that caps annual increases at 60% of CPI and protects against unfair rent hikes in mobilehome parks. Mobilehome tenants face unique protections due to high moving costs and senior-heavy populations.

Enforcement and Penalties

Landlords who illegally raise rent or wrongfully evict tenants can be sued for:

  • Injunctive relief (court order stopping the eviction).

  • Economic damages (tripled by law).

  • Statutory damages of $2,000–$5,000 per violation.

  • Emotional distress damages (tripled if landlord acted knowingly or recklessly).

  • Attorney’s fees for prevailing tenants.

When to Call a Tenant Lawyer

If your Concord landlord tries to evict you without just cause, raise rent above the legal cap, or refuses to pay relocation assistance, you should speak with a tenant rights lawyer.

Peregrine Legal Group, PC represents tenants across Concord and Contra Costa County. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Concord website: https://www.cityofconcord.org/1172/Rent-Stabilization-and-Just-Cause-for-Ev

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge only and is not legal advice. For specific legal issues, you should consult with a qualified attorney or contact the Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department.