Sunnyvale · Renting & eviction
Renting in Sunnyvale: the rules that apply
Sunnyvale has no rent control of its own, but it extends state just-cause protection to newer buildings and adds relocation pay and tenant-notice rules. It allows only hosted short-term rentals, and deposits, repairs and landlord entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: Sunnyvale has no rent cap of its own; state law limits increases on covered units to 8.6% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: Sunnyvale applies state just-cause rules to residential property whatever its certificate of occupancy date, including newer buildings; short-term rentals are excluded.
- Relocation pay: For a no-fault just-cause eviction, Sunnyvale requires relocation of 2 times the monthly rent, half within 15 calendar days of notice.
- Relocation notice: Sunnyvale landlords must give written notice of relocation help at least 30 days before a no-fault termination notice, except under time-sensitive government orders.
- Short-term rentals: Sunnyvale allows only director-approved hosted short-term rentals, with the host living on site during the whole stay; all others are banned.
- Hotel tax: Sunnyvale's hotel tax is 12.5% of the rent, in effect since January 1, 2019.
Each rule below is marked Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
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Also in Sunnyvale's code: Residential Tenant Protections Programs (Ch. 19.71). This page does not summarize it yet.
CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →
Relocation payments
Sunnyvale code For a no-fault just-cause eviction, Sunnyvale requires relocation of 2 times the monthly rent, half within 15 calendar days of notice.
All 3 Sunnyvale rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Sunnyvale code Sunnyvale landlords must give written notice of relocation help at least 30 days before a no-fault termination notice, except under time-sensitive government orders.
All 5 Sunnyvale rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Sunnyvale 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
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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
CA state law Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale 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
Sunnyvale code Sunnyvale allows only director-approved hosted short-term rentals, with the host living on site during the whole stay; all others are banned.
All 3 Sunnyvale rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Other Sunnyvale rules on this
Sunnyvale's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Residential Tenant Protections Programs (Ch. 19.71)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale has no rent cap of its own; state law limits increases on covered units to 8.6% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Sunnyvale need a reason to evict?
Sunnyvale applies state just-cause rules to residential property whatever its certificate of occupancy date, including newer buildings; short-term rentals are excluded.
How much can a Sunnyvale landlord charge for a security deposit?
Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale's hotel tax is 12.5% of the rent, in effect since January 1, 2019.
General information, not legal advice.
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