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Rancho Cordova is an incorporated city in Sacramento County with no standalone local rent control or just-cause eviction ordinance of its own. Renters here rely primarily on California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482, Civ. Code §§ 1946.2, 1947.12), which took effect January 1, 2020, and on general California landlord-tenant law governing habitability, deposits, and notice.
The city does operate a Rental Housing Registration program, requiring landlords to license every rental unit annually. Mobile home park residents have an additional layer of protection through a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding the city negotiated with all eight mobile home parks within its boundaries in 2023, capping annual space rent increases for the duration of the agreement.
Rancho Cordova tenants who need help can contact the Sacramento Renters Helpline, which has a direct contract with the city to provide free counseling, dispute resolution, and fair housing services.
Rancho Cordova does not have a local rent control ordinance. The city's 2019 emergency ordinance, which temporarily prohibited no-fault evictions through December 31, 2019, expired when California's statewide AB 1482 went into effect on January 1, 2020. No permanent local rent stabilization ordinance has been adopted since then.
Landlords in Rancho Cordova may raise rent by any amount on units exempt from AB 1482 (see below), subject only to providing proper written notice: at least 30 days' notice for increases of 10% or less (Civ. Code § 827), and at least 90 days' notice for increases greater than 10%.
AB 1482 Rent Cap (Civ. Code § 1947.12): For covered units, landlords may not raise rent more than 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10%, in any 12-month period. Covered units are those in multifamily buildings that are at least 15 years old and not otherwise exempt. Single-family homes and condos are exempt if the owner provides the required written exemption notice; units with an affordable housing deed restriction are also exempt.
AB 1482 Just-Cause Eviction (Civ. Code § 1946.2): Tenants in covered units who have continuously resided for at least 12 months (or where any tenant has lived for 24 months) cannot be evicted without just cause. At-fault reasons include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, criminal activity, and refusing lawful entry. No-fault reasons — such as owner move-in, substantial remodel, or taking the unit off the rental market — require the landlord to pay one month's rent as relocation assistance, or waive the final month's rent.
SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024): Strengthened AB 1482 no-fault eviction protections by adding documentation requirements for owner move-in and substantial remodel evictions, and increased penalties for landlord violations.
AB 12 Security Deposit Cap (Civ. Code § 1950.5, effective July 1, 2024): Landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit (previously up to two months for unfurnished units). The limit applies regardless of whether the tenant has pets. Deposits must be returned with an itemized accounting within 21 days of the tenant vacating.
Notice Requirements (Civ. Code § 1946.1): Landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy for tenants residing less than one year, and at least 60 days' written notice for tenants residing one year or more.
Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after reasonable notice, tenants may, under certain circumstances, repair the defect and deduct the cost from rent (repair-and-deduct remedy, up to one month's rent) or abandon the unit and withhold rent.
Retaliation Prohibited (Civ. Code § 1942.5): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants who assert their legal rights, file complaints, or organize with other tenants by raising rent, reducing services, or attempting eviction.
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 tenant to leave. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages plus a penalty of $100 per day for each day the conduct continues.
Rental Housing Registration: All residential rental properties in Rancho Cordova — including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and apartment complexes — must be registered annually with the city. Each rental unit requires a separate license. This program is administered through the city's Neighborhood Services division and helps the city track rental housing conditions.
Mobile Home Park Space Rent MOU: In April 2023, the Rancho Cordova City Council approved a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding with each of the eight mobile home parks within the city. The MOUs, effective June 1, 2023, limit the amount by which park owners may raise annual space rent, providing meaningful stability for mobile home park residents who are not otherwise covered by the statewide AB 1482 rent cap (which does not apply to mobile home park space rent). Residents of these parks should contact the city's Housing Department for the specific terms applicable to their park.
California's AB 12 (Civ. Code § 1950.5), effective July 1, 2024, limits the security deposit a landlord in Rancho Cordova may collect to one month's rent, regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished and regardless of pet ownership. This is a reduction from the prior limit of two months' rent for unfurnished units.
After you move out, your landlord has 21 days to either return your full deposit or mail you an itemized written statement explaining any deductions, along with the remaining balance and receipts for any repair work costing more than $125. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent, cleaning costs to restore the unit to its move-in condition, and repair of damage beyond normal wear and tear. Landlords who wrongfully withhold a deposit may be liable for the amount wrongfully withheld plus up to twice that amount as a penalty (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
To evict a tenant in Rancho Cordova, a landlord must follow a strict legal process. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — are illegal under Civ. Code § 789.3 and expose the landlord to significant damages.
Step 1 — Notice: The landlord must serve a written notice, such as a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, a 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit for lease violations, or a 30/60-Day Notice to Terminate for a no-fault eviction.
Step 2 — Unlawful Detainer: If the tenant does not comply, the landlord must file an Unlawful Detainer (UD) lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court. The tenant has 5 court days to respond after being served.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: If the tenant contests the eviction, a judge holds a hearing. The landlord bears the burden of proving legal just cause for covered tenants under AB 1482 (Civ. Code § 1946.2).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: Only after a court judgment may the landlord obtain a Writ of Possession. The Sacramento County Sheriff then carries out any physical removal.
For tenants covered by AB 1482, no-fault evictions require the landlord to pay one month's rent as relocation assistance (or waive the final month's rent). Retaliatory or discriminatory evictions are prohibited and may be challenged in court.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently; verify current statutes and local ordinances before taking action. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed California attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
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