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Modesto · Renting & eviction

Relocation payments in Modesto

For tenants displaced by a City order to vacate, Modesto requires 2 times current monthly rent or the new unit's rent, whichever is less. For orders requiring move-out in 72 hours or less, Modesto adds reasonable temporary housing and storage costs up to 2 weeks, plus moving costs.

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Key points

  • Relocation pay: For tenants displaced by a City order to vacate, Modesto requires 2 times current monthly rent or the new unit's rent, whichever is less.
  • Emergency moves: For orders requiring move-out in 72 hours or less, Modesto adds reasonable temporary housing and storage costs up to 2 weeks, plus moving costs.

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

What Modesto's code says

Modesto code What Modesto's code adds
Amount
  • 2 times the tenant's current monthly rent, or the new unit's monthly rent, whichever is less.
    Applies: Tenant displaced by a City Notice and Order to Vacate; the owner also pays a per-unit fee set by the City Council.
    § 4-12.503 · code text
    The relocation benefits shall be an amount equal to twice the established monthly rental rate paid by the tenant for the unit being vacated or the monthly amount paid by the tenant for the new unit where the tenant moves, whichever is less.
  • Reasonable actual costs of temporary housing (up to 2 weeks), moving, and storage (up to 2 weeks).
    Applies: The order requires the tenant to move out in 72 hours or less; paid on top of the regular relocation benefit.
    § 4-12.504 · code text
    If the Notice and Order to Vacate requires the tenant to move out in seventy-two (72) hours or less time, the tenant shall be entitled to the reasonable and actual cost for temporary housing (up to two (2) weeks), moving expenses and the cost to store personal property (up to two (2) weeks), while the tenant finds another place to live, in addition to the relocation benefits specified in Section 4-12.503.
Exemptions
  • Tenants who caused or substantially contributed to the condition behind the order to vacate, as decided by the Building Official.
    § 4-12.507 · code text
    No relocation benefits shall be payable by the owner or City to any tenant who has caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the order to vacate as determined by the Building Official.
  • Units or structures made unsafe or hazardous by an earthquake, flood, fire or other natural disaster not proximately caused by building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or fire code violations
    § 4-12.507 · code text
    No relocation benefits shall be payable by the owner or City if the unit or structure became unsafe or hazardous as a result of an earthquake, flood, fire or other natural disaster not proximately caused by building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or fire code violations.
  • Tenants who refuse a habitable unit the City finds available for them within 60 days after the move-out date.
    § 4-12.507 · code text
    No relocation benefits shall be payable by the owner or City to any tenant who refuses to move into a habitable unit that the City determines is available for that tenant within sixty (60) days following the date to vacate.
When relocation is owed
  • An order to vacate that requires moving out in 72 hours or less.
    Applies: Emergency benefits: temporary housing up to 2 weeks, moving and storage costs, on top of the regular relocation benefit.
    § 4-12.504 · code text
    If the Notice and Order to Vacate requires the tenant to move out in seventy-two (72) hours or less time, the tenant shall be entitled to the reasonable and actual cost for temporary housing (up to two (2) weeks), moving expenses and the cost to store personal property (up to two (2) weeks), while the tenant finds another place to live, in addition to the relocation benefits specified in Section 4-12.503.

The California rule underneath

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 →

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Does a Modesto landlord have to pay relocation?

For tenants displaced by a City order to vacate, Modesto requires 2 times current monthly rent or the new unit's rent, whichever is less. For orders requiring move-out in 72 hours or less, Modesto adds reasonable temporary housing and storage costs up to 2 weeks, plus moving costs.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Modesto property

Ask GoCodebook how Modesto's relocation payments rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Relocation under California's just-cause law

Modesto Municipal Code — full text