West Hollywood · Renting & eviction
Renting in West Hollywood: the rules that apply
West Hollywood adds its own just-cause rules, relocation fees for no-fault evictions where its rules require one, harassment penalties and buyout rules to state law. Vacation rentals are not allowed; licensed home sharing is the only exception.
Key points
- Rent increases: State law caps covered units at 8.7%; city rule: pre-1996 tenancies are limited to 10% above any rent in the past 12 months.
- Eviction reasons: City just causes include unpaid rent, a material lease breach not cured after written notice, and refusing a tenancy change required by law.
- Relocation fees: Where a city fee is due for a no-fault eviction, tenants 62+, disabled, terminally ill or with dependent minors get the qualified-tenant fee.
- Notice: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year; the city requires stating the specific grounds and code provision.
- Harassment: City rule: civil harassment violations cost actual damages or $10,000 in statutory damages, whichever is greater, plus punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
- Short-term rentals: City rule: no vacation rentals; licensed home sharing needs owner and HOA written approval and is not allowed in rental or income-restricted units.
Each rule below is marked West Hollywood code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
| Annual increase limit |
|
|---|---|
| Petitions and pass-throughs |
|
CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Rent cap right now: 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
West Hollywood code City just causes include unpaid rent, a material lease breach not cured after written notice, and refusing a tenancy change required by law.
Relocation payments
West Hollywood code Where a city fee is due for a no-fault eviction, tenants 62+, disabled, terminally ill or with dependent minors get the qualified-tenant fee.
All 8 West Hollywood rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
West Hollywood code State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year; the city requires stating the specific grounds and code provision.
All 3 West Hollywood rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
West Hollywood code Each year, on or before January 31 of the following year. When the tenant moves out.
All 5 West Hollywood rules on security deposits, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Retaliation
West Hollywood code 6 months. Using the rights the city's rent rules give tenants.
All 3 West Hollywood rules on retaliation, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Harassment and lockouts
West Hollywood code City rule: civil harassment violations cost actual damages or $10,000 in statutory damages, whichever is greater, plus punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
Repairs and habitability
West Hollywood code The habitability plan must identify service disruptions and include steps to keep tenant amenities available. The landlord must provide parking at another location within a reasonable distance.
Landlord entry
CA state law West Hollywood 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
West Hollywood code Yes — written disclosure on a form developed and authorized by the Rent Stabilization Division, provided to each tenant before making a buyout offer; it must state the tenant's right not to negotiate or enter an agreement, right to consult an attorney, right to rescind for up to thirty days, and right to obtain information from the Rent Stabilization Division, and include a signature/date space. Yes — file with the West Hollywood Rent Stabilization and Housing Division no sooner than the thirty-first day and no later than sixty days after execution by all parties.
All 6 West Hollywood rules on buyout agreements, with the code text →
Short-term rentals
| Allowed |
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|---|---|
| Permit or registration |
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Hotel and short-term rental tax
| Tax rate |
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|---|---|
| Who collects it |
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in West Hollywood?
State law caps covered units at 8.7%; city rule: pre-1996 tenancies are limited to 10% above any rent in the past 12 months.
Can I rent out my home short-term in West Hollywood?
City rule: no vacation rentals; licensed home sharing needs owner and HOA written approval and is not allowed in rental or income-restricted units.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in West Hollywood?
West Hollywood's code: Hotel guests pay a tax of 12.5% of the rent. (§ 3.32.030); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.32.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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