Alameda County · Renting & eviction
Renting in Alameda County: the rules that apply
In unincorporated Alameda County, the county adds its own just-cause and no-fault relocation rules, and caps space rent only in mobilehome parks. The county has no rules of its own on deposits, harassment, repairs or entry, so state law applies there.
Key points
- Mobilehome spaces: County rule: in unincorporated areas, mobilehome park space rent may rise no more than 4% a year; a hearing officer may allow more.
- Just cause: County rule: after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy, a tenancy can end only for the at-fault or no-fault reasons in state law.
- Relocation pay: County rule: a no-fault eviction requires 2 months of current rent, capped at $10,000 per household unless $10,000 is under 1 month's rent.
- Termination notice: County rule: every termination notice must state the reason and be filed with the CDA director within 3 days after serving the tenant.
- 90-day notice: County rule: no-fault evictions of households with a child under 18, or a disabled, elderly or lower-income tenant, need at least 90 days' notice.
- Retaliation: The county has a Rental Housing Dispute Resolution Process (§ 3.68.090) that addresses retaliation.
Each rule below is marked Alameda County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Alameda County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Alameda County have their own codes and their own pages.
Rent increases
Alameda County code County rule: in unincorporated areas, mobilehome park space rent may rise no more than 4% a year; a hearing officer may allow more.
All 4 Alameda County rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
Alameda County code County rule: after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy, a tenancy can end only for the at-fault or no-fault reasons in state law.
Relocation payments
Alameda County code County rule: a no-fault eviction requires 2 months of current rent, capped at $10,000 per household unless $10,000 is under 1 month's rent.
All 3 Alameda County rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Alameda County code County rule: every termination notice must state the reason and be filed with the CDA director within 3 days after serving the tenant. County rule: no-fault evictions of households with a child under 18, or a disabled, elderly or lower-income tenant, need at least 90 days' notice.
All 5 Alameda County rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Alameda County 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
Alameda County has a related local rule: Rental Housing Dispute Resolution Process (§ 3.68.090). This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| 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 Applies: The tenant must not be in default on rent, and may invoke this no more than once in any 12-month period. A landlord who states a good-faith ground in the notice may still act. |
|---|---|
| Retaliation damages | Actual damages plus punitive damages of $100 to $2,000 per retaliatory act (fraud, oppression or malice) |
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law Alameda County 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 Alameda County 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 Alameda County 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
Alameda County code Stays of more than 30 consecutive days are not taxed. 10% of the cost of the room or living space rental.
All 3 Alameda County rules on hotel and short-term rental tax, with the code text →
Mobilehome park rent
Alameda County code Annual space rent can rise by no more than 4%. No more than one adjustment in the 12 months starting the first full day the last rent increase took effect.
All 5 Alameda County rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →
Other Alameda County rules on this
Alameda County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Park Rent Review Procedures (Ch. 3.32) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Rental Housing Dispute Resolution Process (§ 3.68.090)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can an Alameda County landlord charge for a security deposit?
Alameda County 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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