Imperial Beach · Renting & eviction
Renting in Imperial Beach: the rules that apply
Imperial Beach has no rent control of its own, so the state cap applies to covered units, but the city has its own just-cause rule. Notices, deposits and repairs follow state law, and the city adds condo-conversion payments and a hotel tax.
Key points
- Rent increases: No city rent control: state law caps increases on covered units at 8.2% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: City law: after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy, ending a tenancy needs a just cause, such as unpaid rent, owner move-in or demolition.
- Owner move-in: City law: for an owner or family move-in, the occupant must move in within 90 days and live there at least 12 consecutive months.
- Relocation pay: City law: no relocation assistance is owed after a vacate order if a government agency or court finds the tenant caused the conditions.
- Notice to end: Imperial Beach has no notice rule of its own; state law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
- Condo conversions: City law: in a condo conversion, an eligible tenant who moves out at the time in the termination notice gets 2 months' rent.
Each rule below is marked Imperial Beach code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Imperial Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.2% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.2% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
Imperial Beach code City law: after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy, ending a tenancy needs a just cause, such as unpaid rent, owner move-in or demolition. City law: for an owner or family move-in, the occupant must move in within 90 days and live there at least 12 consecutive months.
Relocation payments
| Exemptions |
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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 Imperial Beach rule on this in the Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach 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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| Who collects it |
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Condo conversions
Imperial Beach code City law: in a condo conversion, an eligible tenant who moves out at the time in the termination notice gets 2 months' rent.
All 3 Imperial Beach rules on condo conversions, with the code text →
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Imperial Beach?
No city rent control: state law caps increases on covered units at 8.2% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does an Imperial Beach landlord have to pay relocation?
City law: no relocation assistance is owed after a vacate order if a government agency or court finds the tenant caused the conditions.
How much notice does an Imperial Beach landlord have to give?
Imperial Beach has no notice rule of its own; state law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
How much can an Imperial Beach landlord charge for a security deposit?
Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach?
Imperial Beach's code: 14% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 3.24.030); Each operator collects the tax from the guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.24.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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