Ojai · Renting & eviction
Renting in Ojai: the rules that apply
Ojai has its own rent limit, just-cause eviction rules and relocation pay, and bans short-term vacation rentals. Security deposits, repairs and landlord entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: City cap: 4%; a larger increase needs a fair-return rent adjustment application approved by the City.
- Just cause: City just causes include at-fault reasons, such as unpaid rent or nuisance, and no-fault reasons, such as taking the unit off the rental market.
- Relocation pay: For any no-fault just-cause termination, the city requires the greater of 2 months' rent or $5,000, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.
- Notices: City rule: give the City a copy of any termination notice and proof of service within 5 days after serving it.
- Short-term rentals: Paid rentals of less than 30 days are not allowed, except at approved hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and timeshares.
- Hotel tax: The hotel tax is 15% of the rent in total: 10% general plus a 5% special tax; the Council may set lower rates.
Each rule below is marked Ojai code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Ojai code City cap: 4%; a larger increase needs a fair-return rent adjustment application approved by the City.
All 4 Ojai rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
Ojai code City just causes include at-fault reasons, such as unpaid rent or nuisance, and no-fault reasons, such as taking the unit off the rental market.
All 17 Ojai rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
Ojai code For any no-fault just-cause termination, the city requires the greater of 2 months' rent or $5,000, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.
All 4 Ojai rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Ojai code City rule: give the City a copy of any termination notice and proof of service within 5 days after serving it.
All 7 Ojai rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Ojai 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 Ojai 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
CA state law Ojai 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 Ojai 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 Ojai 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
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Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Condo conversions
Ojai code Actual moving costs up to $500, plus the first month's rent on the new unit, if any, up to $500. Written notice of the proposed conversion and hearing rights, 60 days before a tentative map is filed.
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can an Ojai landlord charge for a security deposit?
Ojai 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)).
Can I rent out my home short-term in Ojai?
Paid rentals of less than 30 days are not allowed, except at approved hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and timeshares.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Ojai?
The hotel tax is 15% of the rent in total: 10% general plus a 5% special tax; the Council may set lower rates.
General information, not legal advice.
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