Marin County · Renting & eviction
Renting in Marin County: the rules that apply
Unincorporated Marin County has no rent control of its own; state law governs rent increases, relocation pay and deposits. The county adds its own eviction reasons, termination-notice rules, anti-harassment rules and a short-term rental license.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Eviction reasons: In unincorporated areas, county eviction reasons include unpaid rent after a 3-day notice, lease breach, nuisance and move-in by the landlord, parent or child.
- Notice filing: In unincorporated areas, landlords must file termination notices with the community development agency within 10 days of delivering them to the tenant.
- Market removal: The county requires 120 days' notice when the landlord is permanently removing the unit from the rental market.
- Relocation pay: For no-fault just causes on covered units, state law requires 1 month's rent, paid or waived, within 15 calendar days of the notice.
- Short-term rentals: Short-term rentals need a county license and are not allowed in multi-family or condo units, except those legally operating on January 1, 2024.
Each rule below is marked Marin County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Marin County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Marin County have their own codes and their own pages.
Rent increases
CA state law Marin County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.8% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
Marin County code In unincorporated areas, county eviction reasons include unpaid rent after a 3-day notice, lease breach, nuisance and move-in by the landlord, parent or child.
Relocation payments
CA state law Marin County has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
Marin County code In unincorporated areas, landlords must file termination notices with the community development agency within 10 days of delivering them to the tenant. The county requires 120 days' notice when the landlord is permanently removing the unit from the rental market.
All 7 Marin County rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Marin County 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 Marin County 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
Marin County code Interrupting, failing to provide, or threatening to cut off housing services owed under the lease. Failing to make repairs or maintenance required by contract or by state or county housing, health or safety laws.
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Marin County 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 Marin County 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
Marin County code Short-term rentals need a county license and are not allowed in multi-family or condo units, except those legally operating on January 1, 2024.
All 24 Marin County 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
How much can rent go up in Marin County?
State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a Marin County landlord have to pay relocation?
For no-fault just causes on covered units, state law requires 1 month's rent, paid or waived, within 15 calendar days of the notice.
How much can a Marin County landlord charge for a security deposit?
Marin County 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 Marin County?
Marin County's code: 10% of the rent. (§ 3.05.030); An extra 4% on top of the 10% county tax. (Applies to hotels and campgrounds in the West Marin Transient Occupancy Tax Area since January 1, 2019.) (§ 3.05.035).
General information, not legal advice.
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