East Palo Alto · Renting & eviction
Renting in East Palo Alto: the rules that apply
East Palo Alto has its own rent stabilization and just cause eviction rules, plus anti-harassment, Ellis Act withdrawal and condo conversion protections. Security deposits, repairs and landlord entry are left to state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: In regulated units, East Palo Alto allows no more than 1 increase every 12 months: 80% of the CPI increase, at most 10%.
- Just cause: East Palo Alto requires listed just causes, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in, in single-family homes and multi-unit buildings, except fully exempt units.
- Relocation pay: East Palo Alto requires relocation help for evictions because a unit is demolished or removed; some units, such as school-run student housing, are exempt.
- Ellis Act notice: City rule: Ellis Act withdrawals need 120 days' notice; qualifying tenants who ask in writing within 60 days can extend it to 1 year.
- Harassment: East Palo Alto bars bad-faith harassment, such as cutting housing services, skipping required repairs, threats, or refusing lawful rent.
- Condo conversions: City condo conversion payment for non-buying tenants not in default: $7,500 (under 2 years) or $10,000 (2+ years), base amounts adjusted yearly by CPI.
Each rule below is marked East Palo Alto code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
East Palo Alto code In regulated units, East Palo Alto allows no more than 1 increase every 12 months: 80% of the CPI increase, at most 10%.
All 7 East Palo Alto rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
East Palo Alto code East Palo Alto requires listed just causes, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in, in single-family homes and multi-unit buildings, except fully exempt units.
Relocation payments
East Palo Alto code East Palo Alto requires relocation help for evictions because a unit is demolished or removed; some units, such as school-run student housing, are exempt.
All 4 East Palo Alto rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
East Palo Alto code City rule: Ellis Act withdrawals need 120 days' notice; qualifying tenants who ask in writing within 60 days can extend it to 1 year.
All 9 East Palo Alto rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law East Palo Alto 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
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CA state law Underneath, California law still 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
East Palo Alto code East Palo Alto bars bad-faith harassment, such as cutting housing services, skipping required repairs, threats, or refusing lawful rent.
Repairs and habitability
CA state law East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto 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
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Condo conversions
East Palo Alto code City condo conversion payment for non-buying tenants not in default: $7,500 (under 2 years) or $10,000 (2+ years), base amounts adjusted yearly by CPI.
All 5 East Palo Alto rules on condo conversions, with the code text →
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can an East Palo Alto landlord charge for a security deposit?
East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto?
East Palo Alto's code: 12% of the rent. (§ 3.68.030); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.68.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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