Relocation payments in Sacramento: the local rules

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

What Sacramento's code says

Sacramento code What Sacramento's code adds
Amount	Twice the established monthly rental rate of the vacated unit, in addition to return of deposits required by law. Applies: Owner-paid unsafe/hazardous-housing displacement benefits under Article XIII; 8.100.980 exclusions apply. City may fund relocation costs up to this owner-paid amount if owner fails to pay. § 8.100.960 · code text 8.100.960 Relocation benefits-Amount payable. The relocation benefits shall be a sum equal to twice the established monthly rental rate for the unit being vacated by the displaced tenant. The relocation benefits shall be paid in addition to the return, as required by law, of any deposit held by the owner. (Prior code § 49.13.1305)
Exemptions	Tenant who caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the order to vacate Applies: Article XIII unsafe/hazardous-housing owner-paid benefits; fault or substantial contribution determined by building official. § 8.100.980 · code text No relocation benefits shall be payable by the owner 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. Unit or structure became unsafe or hazardous during the tenancy, and no more than six months prior to the order to vacate, because of earthquake, flood, fire, act of the public enemy or other disaster not proximately caused by specified code violations Applies: Article XIII unsafe/hazardous-housing owner-paid benefits. § 8.100.980 · code text No relocation benefits shall be payable by the owner if the unit or structure became unsafe or hazardous during the tenancy (and no more than six months prior to the order to vacate) as a result of earthquake, flood, fire, act of the public enemy or other disaster not proximately caused by building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or fire code violations.
When it is paid	Within ten (10) days after the order to vacate is first mailed to the owner or posted on the premises, or at least twenty (20) days prior to the vacation date set forth in the order to vacate, whichever occurs later Applies: Owner-paid Article XIII unsafe/hazardous-housing displacement; shorter-than-10-day notices trigger 24-hour payment, and emergency vacancy may require immediate benefits. § 8.100.950 · code text 8.100.950 Relocation benefits-When payable. A. The relocation benefits required hereunder shall be payable within ten (10) days after the date the order to vacate is first mailed to the owner or posted on the premises, or at least twenty (20) days prior to the vacation date set forth in the order to vacate, whichever occurs later. B. If there are fewer than ten (10) days between the first posting or mailing of the order to vacate and the vacation date, the relocation benefits shall be payable within twenty-four (24) hours after the notice is posted or mailed. The building official shall attempt to provide telephonic or written notice to the owner to notify the owner that benefits are payable immediately. Failure to provide the notice as specified herein shall not relieve the owner of any obligations imposed by this article. C. Relocation benefits may be payable immediately in cases in which the conditions on the premises require the building official to order the premises vacated immediately. In such cases the building official shall attempt to provide telephonic or written notice to the owner to notify the owner that benefits are payable immediately. Failure to provide the notice as specified herein shall not relieve the owner of any obligations imposed by this article. (Prior code § 49.13.1304) Within twenty-four (24) hours after the notice is posted or mailed Applies: Owner-paid Article XIII unsafe/hazardous-housing benefits; fewer than 10 days between first posting/mailing of order and vacancy date. § 8.100.950 · code text If there are fewer than ten (10) days between the first posting or mailing of the order to vacate and the vacation date, the relocation benefits shall be payable within twenty-four (24) hours after the notice is posted or mailed. May be payable immediately. Applies: Article XIII unsafe/hazardous-housing benefits where the building official orders immediate vacancy. § 8.100.950 · code text Relocation benefits may be payable immediately in cases in which the conditions on the premises require the building official to order the premises vacated immediately.
When relocation is owed	Displacement from a unit or structure used for habitable dwelling purposes because an authorized city official orders it vacated due to unsafe or hazardous living conditions Applies: Article XIII unsafe/hazardous housing vacancy ordered by an authorized city official; owner-payment exemptions in 8.100.980 apply. § 8.100.940 · code text Any tenant who is displaced from any unit or structure which is leased, rented or occupied for habitable dwelling purposes as a result of an order issued by an authorized city official under this chapter or Chapter 8.96 of this title, or any other applicable provision that the structure is to be vacated due to unsafe or hazardous living conditions shall be entitled to receive relocation benefits from the owner as specified in this article. City may pay when owner fails to pay required relocation benefits Applies: City-ordered unsafe/hazardous dwelling displacement; within budget and owner-benefit cap; building-official eligibility determination required § 8.100.990 · code text In the event the owner fails, neglects or refuses to pay a displaced tenant relocation benefits due pursuant to Sections 8.100.940 through 8.100.960 of this chapter, the city may, within budgetary limitations, make payment of such relocation benefits as the building official determines is necessary to assist the displaced tenant to relocate, up to the amount payable by the owner under Section 8.100.960 of this chapter

The California rule underneath

Where Sacramento's rule above does not cover a situation, state law still applies. For the statewide rule on its own, see Relocation under California's just-cause law.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
No-fault eviction relocation assistance	One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice Applies: For no-fault just causes (owner move-in, withdrawal from market, substantial remodel, government order) on covered units; regardless of the tenant's income. Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Does a Sacramento landlord have to pay relocation?

When a city official orders a unit vacated as unsafe, Sacramento owners pay twice the monthly rent plus return of deposits, with listed exclusions.

Relocation payments in Sacramento

Key points

What Sacramento's code says

The California rule underneath

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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