Renting in Oakland: the rules that apply

Each rule below is marked Oakland code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Oakland code Oakland limits covered units to 60% of the April-to-April CPI increase or 3%, whichever is lower, and generally only 1 increase in 12 months. State law caps state-covered units at 8.8% (5% plus 3.8% San Francisco-area inflation) for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. Exempt from the state cap: housing with a certificate of occupancy from the last 15 years, non-corporate single-family homes or condos with written notice, and owner-occupied duplexes.

All 7 Oakland rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Oakland code Oakland requires just cause from the first day of a tenancy for nonexempt units; the landlord must prove any exemption.

All 5 Oakland rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Oakland code For qualifying moves, Oakland's base payment per unit is $6,500 (studio/1-bedroom), $8,000 (2-bedroom) or $9,875 (3+ bedrooms), raised each July 1. Households with lower-income, elderly or disabled tenants or minor children get one extra $2,500 per unit, shared equally and not CPI-adjusted.

All 16 Oakland rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Oakland code State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 if the tenant lived there under 1 year; 30 days for a rent increase, 90 above 10%.

All 4 Oakland rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →

CA state law Oakland 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 →

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 →

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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 →

CA state law Oakland 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 →

CA state law Oakland 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 →

Oakland code 11% of the rent. 3% of the rent.

All 3 Oakland rules on hotel and short-term rental tax, with the code text →

Oakland code Relocation payments under the city's code-compliance relocation rules. Relocation payments under the city's owner move-in relocation rules.

All 11 Oakland rules on condo conversions, with the code text →