Buena Park · Renting & eviction
Renting in Buena Park: the rules that apply
Buena Park has its own just-cause eviction and relocation rules in Chapter 8.60; on rent increases, its § 8.60.060 covers notice to tenants of state rent limits only. Security deposits, repairs and landlord entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: Buena Park's § 8.60.060 covers notice to tenants of state rent limits only; state law limits covered units to 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: Buena Park requires just cause to end a tenancy after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in.
- Relocation pay: For no-fault evictions, Buena Park relocation is 1 month's rent; for demolition or substantial remodel, $4,500 or 2 months' rent, whichever is greater.
- No-fault notice: A Buena Park no-fault termination notice must tell the tenant in writing of the right to relocation help or a rent waiver.
- Short-term rentals: Buena Park allows short-term rentals only with a permit, in a single-family home that is the host's primary residence; ADUs are not eligible.
- Hotel tax: Buena Park's hotel tax is 12% of the rent charged by the operator.
Each rule below is marked Buena Park code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Buena Park has a related local rule: Just Cause Tenant Protections (§ 8.60.060) — notice to tenants of state rent limits only. This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| Rent cap right now | 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) Applies: Covered units only. Inflation is the BLS consumer price index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area, April to April, as the statute requires; the figure is recomputed every year. |
|---|---|
| Statewide rent increase cap (AB 1482) | 5% plus the change in cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months Applies: Covered units only; measured against the lowest rent charged in the prior 12 months. |
| Number of rent increases | No more than two increases in any 12-month period |
| Rent cap — new construction exemption | Housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years is exempt (rolling) Applies: Mobilehomes excepted. |
| Rent cap — single-family home or condo exemption | A home or condo that can be sold on its own is exempt when the owner is not a REIT, a corporation or an LLC with a corporate member, and the tenant was given the written exemption notice Applies: The same exemption applies to the just-cause rule (§ 1946.2(e)(8)). |
| Rent cap — owner-occupied duplex exemption | A duplex in one building is exempt when the owner lived in the other unit at the start of the tenancy and still does, unless either unit is an ADU or JADU |
| New tenancy resets the rent | When no prior tenant remains, the owner may set the initial rent; the cap applies to later increases |
| Rent cap sunset | § 1947.12 is repealed on January 1, 2030 unless extended |
Eviction and just cause
Buena Park code Buena Park requires just cause to end a tenancy after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in.
Relocation payments
Buena Park code For no-fault evictions, Buena Park relocation is 1 month's rent; for demolition or substantial remodel, $4,500 or 2 months' rent, whichever is greater.
All 5 Buena Park rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Buena Park code A Buena Park no-fault termination notice must tell the tenant in writing of the right to relocation help or a rent waiver.
All 7 Buena Park rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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 →
Short-term rentals
Buena Park code Buena Park allows short-term rentals only with a permit, in a single-family home that is the host's primary residence; ADUs are not eligible.
All 3 Buena Park rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Rental registration and inspections
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Other Buena Park rules on this
Buena Park's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Just Cause Tenant Protections (§ 8.60.060) — notice to tenants of state rent limits only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Buena Park?
Buena Park's § 8.60.060 covers notice to tenants of state rent limits only; state law limits covered units to 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. Buena Park also has a related rule: Just Cause Tenant Protections (§ 8.60.060) — notice to tenants of state rent limits only.
How much can a Buena Park landlord charge for a security deposit?
Buena Park 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 Buena Park?
Buena Park's hotel tax is 12% of the rent charged by the operator.
Must landlords register or inspect rental units in Buena Park?
Buena Park's code: After 3 annual inspections pass the scheduled exterior inspection tests, the unit and property are exempt from future annual inspections. (Designated target areas; a later complaint or deterioration can require another 3-year cycle of inspections.) (§ 15.110.070); The Director may order exterior inspections at least once annually for up to 3 years. (Discretionary (the director may cause it); exterior of units only, in designated target areas.) (§ 15.110.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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