Oxnard · Renting & eviction
Renting in Oxnard: the rules that apply
Oxnard requires a just cause to end a tenancy and relocation pay for no-fault terminations, on top of state law. The city also has a rent stabilization article with fair-return petitions, bans harassment meant to intimidate tenants, and requires permits for short-term rentals.
Key points
- Just cause: Under city Chapter 27, after 30 days of continuous, lawful occupancy, an owner may end a tenancy only for a listed just cause.
- Relocation pay: City law: a no-fault termination after 30 days requires 2 months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater, paid within 15 calendar days of notice.
- Notice filing: City law: the owner must file a termination notice and sworn proof of service with the City within 5 days after serving it.
- Fair-return petitions: City rent stabilization: an owner may petition for a fair-return increase over the cap; tenants get 30 days to reply.
- Harassment: City law bans conduct meant to vex, annoy, injure or intimidate a tenant, such as cutting services or abusing the right of entry.
- Short-term rentals: City law: short-term rentals in residential zones need a city permit, and vacation rentals are limited to 100 days per calendar year.
Each rule below is marked Oxnard code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Rent cap right now: 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.6% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
Oxnard code Under city Chapter 27, after 30 days of continuous, lawful occupancy, an owner may end a tenancy only for a listed just cause.
All 8 Oxnard rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
Oxnard code City law: a no-fault termination after 30 days requires 2 months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater, paid within 15 calendar days of notice.
All 8 Oxnard rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Oxnard code City law: the owner must file a termination notice and sworn proof of service with the City within 5 days after serving it.
All 7 Oxnard rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Oxnard 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
Oxnard code The presumption period is 6 months. Filing a protest or complaint with the director.
All 3 Oxnard rules on retaliation, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Harassment and lockouts
Oxnard code City law bans conduct meant to vex, annoy, injure or intimidate a tenant, such as cutting services or abusing the right of entry.
All 18 Oxnard rules on harassment and lockouts, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Oxnard 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 Oxnard 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
Oxnard code City law: short-term rentals in residential zones need a city permit, and vacation rentals are limited to 100 days per calendar year.
All 6 Oxnard rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Mobilehome park rent
Oxnard code Increase is 100 percent of the CPI change. Increase is 75 percent of the CPI change, or 4 percent, whichever is greater.
All 13 Oxnard rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →
Other Oxnard rules on this
Oxnard's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization System (§ 24-17) — mobilehome park spaces only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Oxnard?
City rent stabilization: an owner may petition for a fair-return increase over the cap; tenants get 30 days to reply.
How much can an Oxnard landlord charge for a security deposit?
Oxnard 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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