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Bakersfield has no separate local just-cause eviction ordinance — but that does not mean tenants are unprotected. California's statewide AB 1482 (Civil Code §1946.2) requires a landlord to have “just cause” to end a tenancy once a renter has lived in the unit for 12 months, and it applies to most Bakersfield rentals.
What just cause means in Bakersfield
Under AB 1482, allowable reasons fall into two groups:
- At-fault (e.g., non-payment of rent, lease violations, nuisance) — no relocation payment required.
- No-fault (e.g., owner move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, government order, qualifying remodel) — the landlord must pay one month's rent in relocation assistance (or waive the final month).
Below the 12-month mark, AB 1482 just-cause does not yet apply, but standard California notice rules do.
Which units are covered
AB 1482 just-cause covers most apartments. Common exemptions include most single-family homes and condos not owned by a corporation (with proper notice) and housing first occupied within the last 15 years. Bakersfield has no rent board, so disputes are handled through the courts or with legal-aid help.
Check your Bakersfield unit
Use the RentCheckMe address checker to see whether AB 1482 (including just cause) covers your unit.
Official sources
Full guide: Rent Control in Bakersfield →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bakersfield have a just-cause eviction ordinance?
Not a local one. But California's AB 1482 (Civil Code §1946.2) requires just cause to evict after a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months, and it applies to most Bakersfield rentals.
What are valid reasons to evict in Bakersfield?
Under AB 1482, at-fault reasons (non-payment, lease violations, nuisance) and no-fault reasons (owner move-in, removing the unit from the market, qualifying remodel, government order). No-fault evictions require one month's rent in relocation assistance.
Can I be evicted without cause in Bakersfield?
If your unit is covered by AB 1482 and you've lived there 12+ months, no — the landlord must state an allowable reason. Some units (e.g., most single-family homes not corporate-owned) are exempt.
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