Gardena · Renting & eviction
Renting in Gardena: the rules that apply
Gardena offers rent mediation and hearings on rent increases, and requires relocation pay when tenants are evicted for multifamily demolition, condo conversion or another land use change. The city has no rules of its own on deposits, harassment, repairs or entry, so state law applies there.
Key points
- Rent mediation: City rule: tenants may petition for rent mediation within 10 business days after an increase notice; mobile home owners get 25 business days.
- Increase notice: City rule: rent increases need at least 30 days' notice, or at least 90 days if over 10% of the prior 12 months' rent.
- Relocation pay: City rule: evictions for multifamily demolition, condo conversion or another land use change require $3,000 per rental unit before permits are issued.
- Just cause: City rule covers drug dealing and drug-related nuisance evictions; state law sets just cause after 12 months for covered units.
- Retaliation: City rule: an owner action within 3 months after the board decides a petition is presumed retaliatory; the owner can rebut this.
- Short-term rentals: City rule: only home sharing with a home sharing permit is allowed, with no more than 100 permits in each 5-year period.
Each rule below is marked Gardena code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Gardena code City rule: tenants may petition for rent mediation within 10 business days after an increase notice; mobile home owners get 25 business days.
All 4 Gardena rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
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CA state law Underneath, California law still 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
Gardena code City rule: evictions for multifamily demolition, condo conversion or another land use change require $3,000 per rental unit before permits are issued.
All 3 Gardena rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Gardena code City rule: rent increases need at least 30 days' notice, or at least 90 days if over 10% of the prior 12 months' rent.
All 7 Gardena rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Gardena 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
Gardena code City rule: an owner action within 3 months after the board decides a petition is presumed retaliatory; the owner can rebut this.
All 5 Gardena rules on retaliation, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law Gardena 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 Gardena 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 Gardena 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
Gardena code City rule: only home sharing with a home sharing permit is allowed, with no more than 100 permits in each 5-year period.
All 7 Gardena rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in Gardena need a reason to evict?
City rule covers drug dealing and drug-related nuisance evictions; state law sets just cause after 12 months for covered units.
How much can a Gardena landlord charge for a security deposit?
Gardena 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 Gardena?
Gardena's code: Stays agreed in writing before check-in to last over 30 days; otherwise the first 30 days are taxed. (§ 3.16.050); 11% of the rent. (§ 3.16.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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