Renting in San Rafael: the rules that apply

Each rule below is marked San Rafael code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

San Rafael code San Rafael's rent rules cover mobilehome park spaces only; state law limits increases on covered units to 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

All 9 San Rafael rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →

San Rafael code San Rafael's just-cause reasons include unpaid rent within 3 days of written demand, breaking a material lease term, and landlord or relative move-in.

All 9 San Rafael rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →

San Rafael code For no-fault terminations in Census Tract 1122.01 only, San Rafael relocation includes 2 times the greater of lease rent or HUD Fair Market Rent.

All 9 San Rafael rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →

San Rafael code San Rafael landlords must give a tenant-rights notice on mediation with leases and rent increase notices; a rent increase notice is invalid without it. San Rafael landlords must give at least 120 days' notice before the final day of occupancy when permanently removing a unit from rental use.

All 6 San Rafael rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →

CA state law San Rafael 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 →

CA state law San Rafael 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 →

CA state law San Rafael 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 →

CA state law San Rafael 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 →

CA state law San Rafael 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 →

San Rafael code 75% of the CPI/C change, applied to rent charged 12 months before the increase date, rounded to the nearest dollar. Capital replacement and improvement assessments are not base rent and do not qualify for the automatic CPI increase.

All 8 San Rafael rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →

San Rafael's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

• Mobilehome Rent Stabilization (Title 20) — mobilehome park spaces only
• Short-term rental program (Ch. 10.110)