Tenant Rights in Campbell, California

Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.

1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Campbell

Campbell is a city of approximately 44,000 residents in Santa Clara County, situated in the heart of Silicon Valley. Tenants in Campbell frequently ask whether local rent control exists, how much their rent can be raised, and what protections apply if they face eviction. While Campbell does not have its own rent control law, California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) provides meaningful protections for eligible renters, including a cap on annual rent increases and just-cause eviction requirements.

Campbell does operate a local Rental Increase Dispute Resolution Ordinance (Campbell Municipal Code Ch. 6.09) that offers a mediation process through Project Sentinel, a nonprofit housing organization. This program allows tenants to challenge rent increases through nonbinding mediation, though participation is voluntary and the city imposes no mandatory rent ceiling. State law governs the most important tenant protections in Campbell.

This article summarizes the key tenant rights that apply in Campbell, CA as of May 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change — consult a licensed California attorney or a local legal aid organization for guidance on your specific situation.

2. Does Campbell Have Rent Control?

Campbell does not have a local rent control ordinance that limits how much landlords may raise rents. The city's Rental Increase Dispute Resolution Ordinance (Campbell Municipal Code §§ 6.09.010–6.09.190) provides only a voluntary mediation process and does not set any maximum rent increase amount. Units on lots with three or fewer rental units are exempt from even this mediation process.

However, many Campbell rentals are covered by California's statewide rent cap under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code § 1947.12. Covered units may not have their rent increased by more than 5% plus the local CPI adjustment, with a hard ceiling of 10% per year. Rent increases beyond that amount are unlawful. This cap applies to most multi-family buildings built before January 1, 2007, excluding single-family homes and condominiums where the owner has provided a required exemption notice. Small landlords (natural persons owning two or fewer residential properties with four or fewer total units) may be subject to slightly different deposit rules under AB 12 but are not exempt from AB 1482's rent cap if their property otherwise qualifies.

3. California State Tenant Protections That Apply in Campbell

California provides robust tenant protections that apply in Campbell alongside (or instead of) any local rules:

• Rent Cap (AB 1482 / Civ. Code § 1947.12): Annual rent increases are capped at 5% + local CPI, maximum 10%, for qualifying multi-family buildings built before 2007.
• Just-Cause Eviction (AB 1482 / Civ. Code § 1946.2): After 12 months of tenancy, landlords must have a valid at-fault or no-fault reason to terminate tenancy. No-fault evictions (such as owner move-in or demolition) require the landlord to pay the tenant one month's rent in relocation assistance.
• SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024): Strengthened just-cause protections by tightening the standards for owner move-in and substantial remodel evictions and adding penalties for landlords who violate these rules.
• Security Deposits (AB 12 / Civ. Code § 1950.5): Effective July 1, 2024, most landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit. Landlords must return the deposit (with an itemized statement) within 21 calendar days of move-out. Wrongful withholding can result in penalties of up to twice the deposit amount.
• Notice Requirements (Civ. Code § 1946.1): Month-to-month tenants are entitled to 30 days' notice if they have lived in the unit for less than one year, or 60 days' notice if they have lived there one year or more.
• Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition. Tenants may repair significant defects and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent) if the landlord fails to act after reasonable notice.
• Retaliation Prohibited (Civ. Code § 1942.5): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for exercising legal rights, such as complaining about habitability or contacting a housing agency.
• No Self-Help Eviction (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords may not lock out tenants, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a move-out. Such actions are illegal and can result in damages of $100 per day plus actual damages.
• Source-of-Income Protection (Gov. Code § 12955): Landlords may not discriminate against tenants based on their source of income, including Section 8 housing vouchers.

4. Campbell-Specific Rules and Local Protections

Campbell's primary local measure is the Rental Increase Dispute Resolution Ordinance (Campbell Municipal Code, Title 6, Ch. 6.09, §§ 6.09.010–6.09.190). This ordinance does not cap rents, but it establishes a voluntary dispute resolution process for rent increases, reductions in housing services, and proposed evictions. Key features include:

• Petition window: A tenant may file a petition within 45 days of receiving a rent increase notice, or within 15 days of the effective date of the increase, whichever is later. Missing this window forfeits the right to contest through the mediation program.
• Nonbinding mediation: The process is administered by Project Sentinel (a nonprofit housing counseling organization) on behalf of the city. Outcomes are not legally binding and compliance is voluntary.
• Exemptions: Rental units located on lots with three or fewer units are exempt from the ordinance entirely.

Campbell does not have an independent just-cause eviction ordinance or a local rent stabilization board. Tenants seeking stronger protections must rely on California state law (AB 1482, SB 567) and statewide habitability statutes. Project Sentinel can be reached at (408) 243-8565 or via Housing.org for assistance navigating both the local mediation program and state tenant rights.

5. Security Deposit Rules in Campbell

California law sets the rules for security deposits in Campbell. Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024), which amended Civil Code § 1950.5, most landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished. A limited exception applies to small landlords who are natural persons (or LLCs whose members are all natural persons) owning no more than two residential rental properties with a combined total of no more than four units — these small landlords may collect up to two months' rent, unless the prospective tenant is a service member.

After you move out, your landlord must return your deposit (or whatever remains after lawful deductions) along with an itemized written statement within 21 calendar days of your departure. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent, cleaning costs beyond normal use, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. If your landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of your deposit, California Civil Code § 1950.5(l) allows you to sue for the withheld amount plus up to twice that amount as a penalty, plus court costs and attorney fees.

6. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Campbell

Evictions in Campbell follow California law. A landlord must first serve a written notice, then — if the tenant does not comply or vacate — file an unlawful detainer lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court. A landlord may never use self-help measures such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a move-out (Civ. Code § 789.3).

Common notice types and periods:

• 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit: Served for nonpayment of rent. The tenant has 3 days to pay all past-due rent or vacate.
• 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit: Served for a curable lease violation (e.g., unauthorized pet). The tenant has 3 days to fix the violation or vacate.
• 3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit: For serious, incurable violations such as significant property damage, illegal activity, or repeated lease violations.
• 30-Day Notice (under 1 year) / 60-Day Notice (1+ year): Required for no-fault terminations of month-to-month tenancies under Civil Code § 1946.1.

Just-Cause Requirements (AB 1482 / Civ. Code § 1946.2): If the tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months or more and the rental qualifies under AB 1482, the landlord must have a legally recognized reason to terminate tenancy. At-fault just cause includes nonpayment of rent, lease violations, nuisance, criminal activity, and unauthorized subletting. No-fault just cause includes owner or family member move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, government order, or demolition — but the landlord must pay the tenant one month's rent in relocation assistance for any no-fault termination. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) tightened standards for remodel and owner move-in evictions and imposes penalties for landlord abuse.

Court process: If the tenant does not vacate after a valid notice expires, the landlord files an unlawful detainer action in Santa Clara County Superior Court. The tenant has 5 business days to respond after service of the summons. If the court rules for the landlord, a writ of possession is issued and the Sheriff carries out the lockout — the landlord may not do so independently.

7. Resources for Campbell Tenants

• City of Campbell — Rent Caps and Rent Increase Dispute — Official city page explaining Campbell's local mediation program and statewide AB 1482 rent cap rules.
• Project Sentinel — Nonprofit administering Campbell's Rental Increase Dispute Resolution program; provides mediation, housing counseling, and tenant/landlord advice. Call (408) 243-8565.
• Law Foundation of Silicon Valley — Housing Program — Free legal advice and representation for low-income tenants in Santa Clara County, including eviction defense and habitability issues. Call (408) 280-2424.
• Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County — Free legal services for low-income renters facing eviction or housing discrimination in Santa Clara County.
• California Department of Justice — Landlord-Tenant Issues — Official state resource explaining tenant rights, security deposits, eviction procedures, and more under California law.
• Santa Clara County — Housing and Eviction Help — County resource hub for housing assistance, eviction prevention, and referrals to legal aid services.

Frequently Asked Questions