Salinas · Renting & eviction
Renting in Salinas: the rules that apply
Salinas has its own just-cause eviction, relocation, anti-harassment and buyout rules, plus a Rent Stabilization Ordinance for controlled rental units. Security deposits, repairs and landlord entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: City rule: a controlled-unit landlord may petition for an increase above the ordinance amount for a fair return, subject to the state ceiling.
- Just cause: City rule: in nonexempt units, eviction needs a listed cause, such as uncured material breach or waste; ordinary curable violations need a 10-day warning.
- Relocation pay: City rule: a no-fault termination of a covered unit requires 3 months of actual rent, regardless of the tenant's income or tenancy length.
- Notices: City rule: file a no-fault termination notice with the City Attorney within 3 days of service; notices must be in English and Spanish.
- Harassment: City rule: a harassing landlord owes at least 3 times actual damages or $2,000, whichever is greater, per offense.
- Hotel tax: City rule: hotel stays pay 7% of the rent plus an extra 3%; stays of 29 days or more paid at once are exempt.
Each rule below is marked Salinas code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Salinas code City rule: a controlled-unit landlord may petition for an increase above the ordinance amount for a fair return, subject to the state ceiling.
All 5 Salinas rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
Salinas code City rule: in nonexempt units, eviction needs a listed cause, such as uncured material breach or waste; ordinary curable violations need a 10-day warning.
All 2 Salinas rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
| Amount |
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|---|---|
| When relocation is owed |
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. No-fault eviction relocation assistance: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)). Relocation under California's just-cause law — the full state rule →
Notices
Salinas code City rule: file a no-fault termination notice with the City Attorney within 3 days of service; notices must be in English and Spanish.
All 7 Salinas rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Salinas 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
| Protected activities |
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|---|---|
| Remedies |
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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 →
Harassment and lockouts
Salinas code City rule: a harassing landlord owes at least 3 times actual damages or $2,000, whichever is greater, per offense.
All 33 Salinas rules on harassment and lockouts, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Salinas 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 Salinas 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 →
Buyout agreements
Salinas code Yes; a written disclosure must be provided before initiating Buyout Negotiations and must include the Tenant's rights, attorney-consultation option, anti-retaliation protection, the repeated-offer harassment warning, relocation-assistance eligibility and amount, authorized representatives, tenant-assistance information, and signature/date spaces. Fully executed copy within three days; landlord must retain each signed disclosure form for five years.
All 9 Salinas rules on buyout agreements, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
Salinas code City rule: hotel stays pay 7% of the rent plus an extra 3%; stays of 29 days or more paid at once are exempt.
All 4 Salinas rules on hotel and short-term rental tax, with the code text →
Rental registration and inspections
Salinas code Exempt from the registry fee: developments 100% restricted as affordable to very low, low or moderate income, or qualifying government-subsidized. Legal accessory, junior accessory and secondary dwelling units are exempt from the rental registry fee.
All 11 Salinas rules on rental registration and inspections, with the code text →
Other Salinas rules on this
Salinas's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Anti-Harassment (Ch. 17, Art. IIC)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a Salinas landlord have to pay relocation?
City rule: a no-fault termination of a covered unit requires 3 months of actual rent, regardless of the tenant's income or tenancy length.
How much can a Salinas landlord charge for a security deposit?
Salinas 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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