Contra Costa County · Renting & eviction
Renting in Contra Costa County: the rules that apply
In unincorporated Contra Costa County, county rent limits cover only mobilehome park spaces and condominium conversions, and the county has no just-cause or notice rule of its own. State law sets notice periods and, for covered units, just cause; the county adds short-term rental permit rules.
Key points
- Rent increases: State law caps covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; county rent limits apply only to mobilehome park spaces and condominium conversions.
- Just cause: The county has no just-cause rule; state law: after 12 months, a tenancy in a covered unit ends only for a just cause.
- Relocation pay: County rule: after a vacate order for an immediate health and safety violation, the owner pays relocation costs to the extent state law requires.
- Notices: The county has no notice rule; state law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
- Short-term rentals: Short-term rentals need a county permit; non-hosted up to 90 days per calendar year, hosted up to 180; none in buildings of 5+ homes.
- Hotel tax: County rule: the hotel tax is 10% of the rent, collected from each guest when the rent is collected.
Each rule below is marked Contra Costa County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Contra Costa County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Contra Costa County have their own codes and their own pages.
Rent increases
Contra Costa County code State law caps covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; county rent limits apply only to mobilehome park spaces and condominium conversions.
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Contra Costa County has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
| Amount |
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|---|---|
| When relocation is owed |
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. No-fault eviction relocation assistance: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)). Relocation under California's just-cause law — the full state rule →
Notices
We found no Contra Costa County rule on this in the Contra Costa County Municipal Code (checked October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| 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. |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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) |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| No fee for serving notices | A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice |
Security deposits
CA state law Contra Costa 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
Contra Costa County code 6 months. Asserting or using rights under the county's mobilehome rent chapter.
All 6 Contra Costa County rules on retaliation, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 →
Short-term rentals
Contra Costa County code Short-term rentals need a county permit; non-hosted up to 90 days per calendar year, hosted up to 180; none in buildings of 5+ homes.
All 5 Contra Costa County rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
| Tax rate |
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|---|---|
| Who collects it |
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Condo conversions
| Relocation help |
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|---|---|
| Notice to tenants |
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Mobilehome park rent
Contra Costa County code Annual increase is the greater of 2% or 75% of the CPI change, capped at 6%. A single capital-improvement rent increase, or cumulative ones, may not exceed 5% of the then-existing rent.
All 8 Contra Costa County rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →
Other Contra Costa County rules on this
Contra Costa County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Special Leases and Rent Increase (Ch. 926-14) — condominium conversions only
- Mobilehome Space Rent (Ch. 540-2) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Mobilehome Space Rent (§ 540-2.1406) — mobilehome park spaces only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in Contra Costa County need a reason to evict?
The county has no just-cause rule; state law: after 12 months, a tenancy in a covered unit ends only for a just cause.
Does a Contra Costa County landlord have to pay relocation?
County rule: after a vacate order for an immediate health and safety violation, the owner pays relocation costs to the extent state law requires.
How much notice does a Contra Costa County landlord have to give?
The county has no notice rule; state law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
How much can a Contra Costa County landlord charge for a security deposit?
Contra Costa 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)).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Contra Costa County?
County rule: the hotel tax is 10% of the rent, collected from each guest when the rent is collected.
What happens to tenants when a Contra Costa County building converts to condos?
Contra Costa County's code: The subdivider pays 3 times the monthly rent for moving expenses. (Only to a tenant who was entitled to notice, did not get it, became a tenant, and did not buy their unit.) (§ 926-10.206); Each new rental applicant gets notice of the filing, starting at least 60 days before the tentative map is filed. (Applies to each person who applies to rent a unit after that date, before any rent or deposit is accepted.) (§ 926-10.206).
General information, not legal advice.
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