California Tenant Rights
Tenant Rights in Calexico, California
Calexico renters are covered by California's statewide Tenant Protection Act, which limits rent increases and requires landlords to have just cause before evicting tenants who have lived in a unit for at least 12 months. The city has no additional local rent control ordinance.
·
Updated May 2026
✓
Key Takeaways
- No local rent control. State AB 1482 (Civ. Code § 1947.12) caps annual increases at 5% + local CPI, max 10%, for qualifying units.
- Capped at 1 month's rent (AB 12, effective July 1, 2024). Must be returned within 21 days of move-out with itemized statement (Civ. Code § 1950.5).
- 30 days' written notice if tenancy is less than 1 year; 60 days' notice if 1 year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
- Just cause required after 12 months of tenancy under AB 1482 (Civ. Code § 1946.2), tightened by SB 567 effective April 1, 2024.
- California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) El Centro, Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Housing Is Key (CA.gov)
Want to skip straight to checking your own building?
Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Calexico
Calexico is a border city in Imperial County with a population of approximately 40,000 residents, many of whom are renters relying on both state and federal protections. Tenants in Calexico most commonly ask about rent increases, eviction procedures, and security deposit rules. Unlike some larger California cities, Calexico has not enacted a local rent stabilization ordinance, so renters rely entirely on California state law for protections.
California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) provides meaningful protections for most Calexico renters, including a cap on annual rent increases and just-cause eviction requirements. Additional state laws govern habitability standards, retaliation, and security deposits, giving tenants a solid legal foundation even without city-specific rules.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — consult a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for guidance on your specific situation.
2. Does Calexico Have Rent Control?
Calexico has no local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Research of the Calexico Code of Ordinances (available via Municode) reveals no city-enacted rent stabilization program beyond what state law provides.
However, California's statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at California Civil Code § 1947.12, provides a rent cap for many residential rentals. Under AB 1482, qualifying landlords may not increase rent by more than 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10%, in any 12-month period. For the period August 2025 through July 2026, the allowable increase for the Imperial County / Southern California region is approximately 6.3% to 8.8% depending on the applicable CPI figure.
AB 1482 does not apply to all rentals. Exempt properties include single-family homes and condominiums where the owner has provided proper written notice of exemption, units built within the last 15 years (on a rolling basis), and owner-occupied duplexes. Tenants in exempt units have no cap on rent increases under state law, though landlords must still provide proper notice.
3. California State Tenant Protections That Apply in Calexico
California provides a broad set of tenant protections that apply to all Calexico renters:
- Rent Cap (AB 1482): For qualifying units, annual rent increases are capped at 5% + local CPI, max 10% (Civ. Code § 1947.12).
- Just-Cause Eviction (AB 1482 / SB 567): After a tenant has lived in a unit for 12 months, the landlord must have just cause — either at-fault (e.g., nonpayment of rent, material lease breach) or no-fault (e.g., owner move-in, substantial remodel) — to terminate the tenancy. SB 567, effective April 1, 2024, tightened no-fault eviction rules and added relocation assistance requirements (Civ. Code § 1946.2).
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including working plumbing, heat, weatherproofing, and freedom from vermin (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942). Tenants may repair-and-deduct or withhold rent in limited circumstances after proper notice.
- Retaliation Prohibited: Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for complaining about habitability issues or exercising their legal rights (Civ. Code § 1942.5). Retaliation is presumed if adverse action occurs within 180 days of a protected act.
- Source of Income Discrimination: Landlords may not refuse to rent to tenants who use housing vouchers or other lawful sources of income (Gov. Code § 12955).
- No Self-Help Eviction: Landlords may not lock out tenants, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant to leave (Civ. Code § 789.3). Violations entitle the tenant to actual and punitive damages.
4. Security Deposit Rules in Calexico
Under California Assembly Bill 12 (AB 12), effective July 1, 2024, security deposits are capped at one month's rent for most residential rentals, regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished. Prior to AB 12, landlords could charge up to two months' rent for unfurnished units and three months' rent for furnished units.
Small landlord exception: Landlords who own no more than two residential rental properties comprising four or fewer total units, and who hold the property as a natural person, an LLC with all natural-person members, or a family trust, may still collect up to two months' rent as a security deposit.
Return deadline: Landlords must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating the unit (Civ. Code § 1950.5). Permissible deductions include unpaid rent, cleaning costs to restore the unit to its original condition (excluding normal wear and tear), and repair of tenant-caused damages. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits may be liable for the deposit amount plus up to twice the deposit in punitive damages, plus the tenant's court costs and attorney's fees.
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Calexico
Eviction in California is a court process; landlords may never use self-help measures such as changing locks or shutting off utilities (Civ. Code § 789.3).
Notice Requirements:
- 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit: For nonpayment of rent. If rent is not paid within 3 days, the landlord may proceed with an Unlawful Detainer (UD) action.
- 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit: For curable lease violations (e.g., unauthorized pet or occupant).
- 3-Day Unconditional Quit Notice: For serious or incurable violations (e.g., nuisance, criminal activity on premises).
- 30-Day Notice: For month-to-month tenancies of less than 1 year (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
- 60-Day Notice: For month-to-month tenancies of 1 year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
Just-Cause Requirements (AB 1482 / SB 567): After 12 months of tenancy, landlords covered by AB 1482 must state a valid just-cause reason in the termination notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2). At-fault causes include nonpayment, lease violations, nuisance, and criminal activity. No-fault causes include owner or family member move-in, substantial remodel, and withdrawal from the rental market — each of which requires payment of relocation assistance equal to one month's rent under SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024).
Court Process: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord must file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit in the Imperial County Superior Court. The tenant has 5 business days after service of the UD summons to file a written response. If the landlord wins, a Writ of Possession is issued and the Sheriff carries out the actual lockout — never the landlord directly.
6. Resources for Calexico Tenants
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord laws change frequently; the information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. Calexico renters with specific legal questions should consult a licensed California attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. Statutes cited should be verified against current California law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Calexico have rent control?
No. Calexico does not have a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. However, California's statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, Civ. Code § 1947.12) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (maximum 10%) for many residential rentals. Properties built within the last 15 years and most single-family homes and condos are exempt from this cap.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Calexico?
If your unit is covered by California's AB 1482, your landlord may raise the rent by no more than 5% plus the applicable local Consumer Price Index, up to a combined maximum of 10%, in any 12-month period (Civ. Code § 1947.12). For the period August 2025 through July 2026, the allowable increase in Southern California is approximately 6.3% to 8.8%. If your unit is exempt from AB 1482 — such as a newly built property or an owner-occupied duplex — there is no state-mandated cap on rent increases.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Calexico?
Your landlord must return your security deposit, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions, within 21 calendar days of you vacating the unit (Civ. Code § 1950.5). If the landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the deposit, you may be entitled to the withheld amount plus up to twice that amount in punitive damages, along with court costs. As of July 1, 2024, security deposits for most rentals are capped at one month's rent under AB 12.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Calexico?
For a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 30 days' written notice if you have lived in the unit for less than one year, or 60 days' written notice if you have lived there for one year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1). If your tenancy is covered by AB 1482 and you have lived there for 12 months or more, the notice must also state a valid just-cause reason for termination (Civ. Code § 1946.2). For non-payment of rent, a 3-day notice is required before the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Calexico?
No. California law strictly prohibits landlords from using self-help eviction tactics, including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant to leave (Civ. Code § 789.3). If your landlord attempts any of these actions, you may be entitled to actual damages, punitive damages of up to $100 per day, and attorney's fees. The only lawful way to remove a tenant is through the Unlawful Detainer court process followed by a Sheriff's lockout.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Calexico?
California landlords are required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including working plumbing, heat, weatherproofing, and freedom from pests (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942). If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs after you give written notice, you may have the right to repair the problem and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent), or in severe cases to withhold rent until habitability is restored. You may also file a complaint with the City of Calexico's code enforcement or contact California Rural Legal Assistance at (760) 353-0220 for legal help.
Get notified when rent laws change in Calexico
We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.