Goleta · Renting & eviction
Renting in Goleta: the rules that apply
Goleta's rent control covers only mobilehome park spaces, but the city has its own just-cause rules for qualified tenants and relocation rules for mobilehome park closures. Short-term vacation rentals need a city license; deposits, notices and entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: Goleta's rent control covers only mobilehome park spaces; state law limits increases on covered units to 8.6% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: For units rented by qualified tenants, Goleta allows eviction only for listed causes, such as unpaid rent, nuisance, owner move-in or substantial remodel.
- Relocation pay: Goleta relocation help covers mobilehome park closures only: for eligible residents, moving up to 100 miles, first and last month's rent, and deposit.
- Notice to end: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Short-term rentals: Goleta allows short-term vacation rentals with a City Short-Term Vacation Rental License; no zoning permit is needed.
- Hotel tax: Goleta's hotel tax is 12% of the rent charged by the operator, collected from each guest with the rent.
Each rule below is marked Goleta code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Goleta code Goleta's rent control covers only mobilehome park spaces; state law limits increases on covered units to 8.6% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
All 12 Goleta rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
Goleta code For units rented by qualified tenants, Goleta allows eviction only for listed causes, such as unpaid rent, nuisance, owner move-in or substantial remodel.
All 8 Goleta rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
Goleta code Goleta relocation help covers mobilehome park closures only: for eligible residents, moving up to 100 miles, first and last month's rent, and deposit.
All 9 Goleta rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
We found no Goleta rule on this in the Goleta 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 Goleta 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
| Protected activities |
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Also in Goleta's code: Mobilehome Rent Control (§ 8.14.110) — mobilehome park spaces only. This page does not summarize it yet.
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
CA state law Goleta 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 Goleta 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 Goleta 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
| Allowed |
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| Permit or registration |
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Hotel and short-term rental tax
| Tax rate |
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| Who collects it |
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Mobilehome park rent
Goleta code The automatic increase the arbitrator allows is 75% of the CPI percentage increase. Tenancies used primarily for commercial purposes are excluded.
All 15 Goleta rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →
Other Goleta rules on this
Goleta's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Rent Control (Ch. 8.14) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Mobilehome Park Closure (§§ 8.17.140, 8.17.250) — mobilehome park closures only
- Mobilehome Rent Control (§ 8.14.110) — mobilehome park spaces only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a Goleta landlord have to give?
State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
How much can a Goleta landlord charge for a security deposit?
Goleta 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)).
Can I rent out my home short-term in Goleta?
Goleta allows short-term vacation rentals with a City Short-Term Vacation Rental License; no zoning permit is needed.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Goleta?
Goleta's hotel tax is 12% of the rent charged by the operator, collected from each guest with the rent.
General information, not legal advice.
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