Lancaster · Renting & eviction
Renting in Lancaster: the rules that apply
Lancaster's own rent and relocation rules cover mobile home park spaces only, and it has no just-cause rule of its own, so state law governs eviction, notices, deposits and repairs. The city adds a retaliation rule, condo-conversion tenant rights and a hotel tax.
Key points
- Rent increases: For covered units, state law limits increases to 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Lancaster has no city cap for them.
- Mobile home spaces: Lancaster sets a yearly increase for mobile home park spaces only, from June Los Angeles-area CPI: at least 2.5% and no more than 3%.
- Just cause: Lancaster has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy for covered units.
- Retaliation: Lancaster protects tenants from retaliation within 6 months after they file a city code complaint or use a right under Civil Code § 1942.5.
- Condo conversions: Lancaster gives non-buying condo-conversion tenants not in default at least 180 days to move, from the later of intent notice or final map filing.
- Hotel tax: Lancaster hotel guests pay a tax of 7% of the rent.
Each rule below is marked Lancaster code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Lancaster code For covered units, state law limits increases to 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Lancaster has no city cap for them. Lancaster sets a yearly increase for mobile home park spaces only, from June Los Angeles-area CPI: at least 2.5% and no more than 3%.
All 9 Lancaster rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Lancaster 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
Lancaster code Set by the City Council as a condition of approving the park's change of use. Paid before the resident must leave, unless the measure says otherwise; no eligible resident must leave until the owner complies.
All 3 Lancaster rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
We found no Lancaster rule on this in the Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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
Lancaster code Lancaster protects tenants from retaliation within 6 months after they file a city code complaint or use a right under Civil Code § 1942.5.
All 3 Lancaster rules on retaliation, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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
| Tax rate |
|
|---|---|
| Who collects it |
|
Condo conversions
Lancaster code Lancaster gives non-buying condo-conversion tenants not in default at least 180 days to move, from the later of intent notice or final map filing.
All 4 Lancaster rules on condo conversions, with the code text →
Mobilehome park rent
Lancaster code At least 2.5% if CPI is under 2.5%; actual CPI if 2.5-3%; at most 3% if CPI is over 3%. Tenancies under a rental agreement over 12 months, used as primary residence, are excluded from sections 11.08.060 to 11.08.090.
All 8 Lancaster rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →
Other Lancaster rules on this
Lancaster's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization (Ch. 11.08) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Mobilehome Park Conversion (§§ 11.12.040–11.12.070) — mobilehome park conversions or changes of use only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in Lancaster need a reason to evict?
Lancaster has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy for covered units.
How much notice does a Lancaster landlord have to give?
Lancaster has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% (Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)).
How much can a Lancaster landlord charge for a security deposit?
Lancaster 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 Lancaster?
Lancaster hotel guests pay a tax of 7% of the rent.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Lancaster property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question