Redwood City · Renting & eviction
Renting in Redwood City: the rules that apply
Redwood City has no rent control of its own, so the state cap applies to covered units, but it has its own just-cause and relocation-pay rules. Short-term rentals are allowed only in a host's principal residence, with city registration.
Key points
- Rent increases: No city rent control: state law caps increases on covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: City law requires a just cause, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in, to end a tenancy after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy.
- Relocation pay: City law: every no-fault eviction requires 1 month's rent as payment or waiver, within 15 calendar days, whatever the tenant's income.
- Extra assistance: City law: eligible households get 3 months of HUD Fair Market Rent minus the first payment; special-circumstances households up to 4 months.
- Notice to end: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Short-term rentals: City law: short-term rentals are allowed only in the host's principal residence; unhosted rentals are limited to 120 days per calendar year.
Each rule below is marked Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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
Redwood City code City law requires a just cause, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in, to end a tenancy after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy.
Relocation payments
Redwood City code City law: every no-fault eviction requires 1 month's rent as payment or waiver, within 15 calendar days, whatever the tenant's income. City law: eligible households get 3 months of HUD Fair Market Rent minus the first payment; special-circumstances households up to 4 months.
All 9 Redwood City rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
We found no Redwood City rule on this in the Redwood City Municipal Code (checked October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| Notice of a rent increase | At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% Applies: The 10% is measured against the rent charged at any time in the 12 months before the increase, counting all increases in that period together. |
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| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord) | 60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year Applies: Where the unit is covered by just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) or a local ordinance, the notice must also state a qualifying cause. |
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (tenant) | At least as long as the rental period (one month for a month-to-month tenancy) |
| 30-day notice when the unit is sold to an owner-occupant | 30 days' notice when a separately sellable unit is in escrow to a natural person who will live there for at least a year Applies: Notice within 120 days of opening escrow, given once, and all § 1946.1(d) conditions met. |
| Notice to pay rent or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, stating the amount due and how to pay Applies: May be served any time within one year after the rent became due. |
| Notice to cure a lease violation or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease term or leave |
| No fee for serving notices | A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice |
Security deposits
CA state law Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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
Redwood City code City law: short-term rentals are allowed only in the host's principal residence; unhosted rentals are limited to 120 days per calendar year.
All 6 Redwood City rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Redwood City?
No city rent control: state law caps increases on covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
How much notice does a Redwood City landlord have to give?
State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
How much can a Redwood City landlord charge for a security deposit?
Redwood City 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 Redwood City?
Redwood City's code: Yes; a hosting platform that collects the tax has the same duties as an operator. (§ 32.80); 12% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 32.75).
General information, not legal advice.
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