Menlo Park · Renting & eviction
Renting in Menlo Park: the rules that apply
Menlo Park has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law applies to rent increases and evictions. The city requires relocation aid when a landlord's city application, such as for demolition or renovation, permanently displaces households.
Key points
- Rent increases: State law caps rent increases in covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: State law: in covered units, after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may end a tenancy only for a just cause.
- Relocation pay: City rule: eligible displaced households get cash equal to 3 months' rent at HUD's San Mateo County fair market rent for their unit size.
- Special circumstances: City rule: special-circumstances households get 1 more month of rent, up to 4 months' rent in total; tenants must file a claim before move-out.
- Notices: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Lease rights: City rule: landlords must give notice of the right to a lease, including a 1-year written lease option, in English and Spanish.
Each rule below is marked Menlo Park 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 Menlo Park 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
CA state law Menlo Park 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
Menlo Park code City rule: eligible displaced households get cash equal to 3 months' rent at HUD's San Mateo County fair market rent for their unit size. City rule: special-circumstances households get 1 more month of rent, up to 4 months' rent in total; tenants must file a claim before move-out.
All 8 Menlo Park rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Menlo Park code State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year. City rule: landlords must give notice of the right to a lease, including a 1-year written lease option, in English and Spanish.
All 5 Menlo Park rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Menlo Park 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
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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 Menlo Park 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 Menlo Park 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 Menlo Park 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 this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Menlo Park?
State law caps rent increases in covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Menlo Park need a reason to evict?
State law: in covered units, after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may end a tenancy only for a just cause.
How much can a Menlo Park landlord charge for a security deposit?
Menlo Park 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 Menlo Park?
Menlo Park's code: 15.5% of the rent. (From January 1, 2026; the city council may adjust the rate by resolution, up to 15.5%.) (§ 3.16.030); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.16.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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