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Lancaster · Renting & eviction

Retaliation in Lancaster

Lancaster protects tenants from retaliation within 6 months after they file a city code complaint or use a right under Civil Code § 1942.5.

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Key points

  • 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.

Each rule below links to the section of the Lancaster Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Lancaster's code says

Lancaster code What Lancaster's code adds
Presumption period
  • Within 6 months before the alleged retaliation.
    § 5.40.160 · code text
    In any action by or against a tenant, evidence of the exercise by the tenant of his or her right under Section 1942.5 of the California Civil Code occurring within six months of the alleged retaliation shall create a presumption that the property owner's conduct was in retaliation for the tenant's exercise of rights under this code.
Protected activities
  • Filing a complaint with the city about a possible code violation.
    § 5.40.160 · code text
    It is unlawful for a property owner to recover possession of a residential rental unit in retaliation against a tenant for exercising his or her right to file a complaint with the city that a code violation may exist.
  • Exercising a right under California Civil Code § 1942.5.
    § 5.40.160 · code text
    In any action by or against a tenant, evidence of the exercise by the tenant of his or her right under Section 1942.5 of the California Civil Code occurring within six months of the alleged retaliation shall create a presumption that the property owner's conduct was in retaliation for the tenant's exercise of rights under this code.

The California rule underneath

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 →

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

General information, not legal advice.

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