Union City · Renting & eviction
Renting in Union City: the rules that apply
Union City offers rent review, not a rent cap, caps space rent only in mobile home parks, and bans bad-faith tenant harassment. For just cause, the city has a Condominium Conversion chapter (§ 17.84.060) for condominium conversions only; state law covers deposits, repairs and entry.
Key points
- Rent review: City rule: tenants may ask for city review when 12-month increases put rent over 7% above base rent; it is not a cap.
- Mobile home spaces: City rule: mobile home park space rent may rise at most 7% or 90% of the CPI change, whichever is less.
- Just cause: The city's Condominium Conversion chapter (§ 17.84.060) covers condominium conversions only; state law sets just cause after 12 months for covered units.
- Notices: City rule: a termination notice must state the reason and come with a notice of tenant rights in the city's 3 main languages.
- Harassment: City rule: bad-faith harassment is banned, including cutting housing services, skipping required repairs, and abusing the right to enter.
- Condo conversions: City rule: if a condo conversion use permit is approved, tenants get at least 120 days' notice that the tenancy will end.
Each rule below is marked Union City code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Union City code City rule: tenants may ask for city review when 12-month increases put rent over 7% above base rent; it is not a cap. City rule: mobile home park space rent may rise at most 7% or 90% of the CPI change, whichever is less.
All 5 Union City rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
Union City has a related local rule: Condominium Conversion (§ 17.84.060) — condominium conversions only. This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| Just cause required | After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice Applies: Covered units only (§ 1946.2(e) exempts, among others, housing built in the last 15 years and single-family homes or condos not owned by a corporation or REIT when the tenant got the required notice). If new adult tenants joined before anyone reached 24 months, all tenants need 12 months or one needs 24. |
|---|---|
| Chance to cure first | For a curable lease violation, the owner must first serve a notice to cure before a 3-day notice to quit |
| Just cause — new construction exemption | Housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years is exempt (rolling) Applies: Mobilehomes excepted. |
| Just cause law sunset | § 1946.2 is repealed on January 1, 2030 unless extended |
Relocation payments
Union City code When a park changes use: reasonable relocation costs for each eligible mobile home owner, plus displacement costs during construction. Applicant may seek full or partial exemption if relocation aid would eliminate substantially all reasonable use or economic value.
All 7 Union City rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Union City code City rule: a termination notice must state the reason and come with a notice of tenant rights in the city's 3 main languages.
All 9 Union City rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Union 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
Union City code 3 months. Using any right under the mobile home space rent rules, including filing a petition or complaint with the Board.
All 3 Union City rules on retaliation, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Harassment and lockouts
Union City code City rule: bad-faith harassment is banned, including cutting housing services, skipping required repairs, and abusing the right to enter.
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Union 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 Union 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 →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Condo conversions
Union City code City rule: if a condo conversion use permit is approved, tenants get at least 120 days' notice that the tenancy will end.
All 7 Union City rules on condo conversions, with the code text →
Mobilehome park rent
Union City code Leases or rental agreements over 12 months that meet each state law requirement are exempt from the ordinance. Rent can go up not more than once in any 12-month period.
All 6 Union City rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →
Other Union City rules on this
Union City's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Rent Review (Ch. 16.40) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Rent Review (Ch. 5.55)
- Condominium Conversion (§ 17.84.060) — condominium conversions only
- Conversions of Mobilehome Parks to Other Uses (§§ 16.09.050–16.09.110) — mobilehome park conversions to other uses only
- Mobilehome Rent Review (§ 16.40.110) — mobilehome park spaces only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in Union City need a reason to evict?
The city's Condominium Conversion chapter (§ 17.84.060) covers condominium conversions only; state law sets just cause after 12 months for covered units. Union City also has a related rule: Condominium Conversion (§ 17.84.060) — condominium conversions only.
How much can an Union City landlord charge for a security deposit?
Union 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 Union City?
Union City's code: 8.5% of the daily room rate. (The code says the rate is adjusted annually by the consumer price index.) (§ 3.18.025); Each operator collects the tax from the guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.18.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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