Santa Cruz Protections Ordinance

The City of Santa Cruz's tenant protections are defined by the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) at the state level and the local Relocation Assistance for Displaced Tenants Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 21.03).

RENT INCREASE LIMITS (STATE LAW APPLIES)

The City of Santa Cruz does not have a local rent cap (like an Annual General Adjustment). Therefore, your rent increase protections are determined by the statewide California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).

Maximum Allowable Rent Increase (AB 1482)

  • Limit: For covered units, the rent may be increased by a maximum of 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living (CPI), or 10% total, whichever is lower, in any 12-month period.

  • Notice: Increases of 10% or less require a 30-day written notice. Increases over 10% require a 90-day written notice.

Key Exemptions from AB 1482 Rent Caps

  • Units built within the last 15 years (a rolling date).

  • Single-family homes and condominiums that are not owned by a corporation, Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), or an LLC with a corporate member.

JUST CAUSE EVICTION PROTECTIONS

The City of Santa Cruz does not have its own local Just Cause ordinance. Instead, nearly all tenants in the city are covered by the California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), which requires a Just Cause for eviction once a tenant has been in the unit for 12 months or more (or 24 months in some multi-tenant situations).

The Two Types of Just Cause (Under AB 1482)

  • At-Fault (Tenant Action): Failure to pay rent, breach of a material lease term (after notice to cure), committing nuisance, or using the unit for unlawful purposes. 

  • No-Fault (Landlord Intent): Owner Move-In (OMI), Intent to Demolish/Substantially Remodel, Withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act), or Government Order to Vacate. 

No-Fault Eviction Relocation (State Law)

For state-covered No-Fault evictions (OMI, Demolition, etc.), the landlord is required to provide relocation assistance equal to one month of the tenant’s rent (paid within 15 days of the eviction notice or waived as the final month's rent).

Relocation Assistance for Displacement

The City of Santa Cruz has a local ordinance that mandates relocation payments in specific high-displacement situations, including for "Large Rent Increases."

1. Relocation for a "Large Rent Increase"

  • What is a "Large Rent Increase"? A rent increase of more than 5% in one year, or cumulatively more than 7% in any two consecutive years.

  • Relocation Due: If you choose to vacate due to a "Large Rent Increase," you are entitled to an immediate payment of two months of your actual rent (prior to the increase's effective date).

  • You must provide the landlord written notice of your intent to vacate and accept the relocation assistance within 60 calendar days of the effective date of the large rent increase.

2. Relocation for Unsafe or Illegal Housing

  • If you are required to vacate because your unit is deemed unsafe/hazardous or is an unpermitted/illegal residence, you are entitled to a relocation payment.

  • Relocation Due: You are entitled to the greater of three months' fair market value (FMV) rent for a comparable unit (per HUD's schedule) OR three months of your actual rent.

  • Timing: This payment is due immediately (within one week of the notice/order to vacate or before you vacate, whichever is sooner).

Enhanced Relocation Payment

If you are required to vacate due to unsafe or illegal housing with less than 30 days' notice, your relocation payment must also include one additional month of FMV rent for temporary housing.

Peregrine Legal Group, PC, represents tenants throughout Santa Cruz. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

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.