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Rohnert Park is a city in Sonoma County with approximately 45,000 residents. Like most California cities, it does not have a local rent control or just-cause eviction ordinance covering conventional apartments and single-family homes. Renters in standard housing rely on California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) and related statutes for their core protections.
One notable local exception is the city's mobile home park rent stabilization ordinance (Municipal Code §9.70), which limits annual rent increases for residents of mobile home park spaces. Mobile home residents should review that ordinance and may appeal to the city's Rent Appeals Board if their landlord exceeds the cap.
This guide explains which state and local rules apply, what notice and deposit rules govern most tenancies, and where Rohnert Park renters can find free legal help.
Rohnert Park has not enacted a local rent control ordinance for conventional apartments, houses, condominiums, or duplexes. Landlords of those properties are not subject to any city-imposed rent increase limit beyond California state law.
The statewide AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act (California Civil Code §1947.12) does cap rent increases for many—but not all—residential units. Units built within the last 15 years, single-family homes whose owners provide proper exemption notice, and condos sold separately are among the properties exempt from the state cap. For covered units, the maximum annual increase is 5% plus local CPI, not to exceed 10% total. Landlords may not impose more than two rent increases in any 12-month period.
If you are unsure whether your unit is covered by AB 1482, contact Legal Aid of Sonoma County or the Sonoma County Tenants Union for a free assessment.
Rent Cap (AB 1482 / Civil Code §1947.12): For eligible units, annual rent increases are capped at 5% plus local CPI, with an absolute maximum of 10%. The cap applies once a tenant has occupied the unit and the building is at least 15 years old. Landlords who violate the cap may owe the tenant the excess rent collected plus statutory damages.
Just-Cause Eviction (Civil Code §1946.2): After 12 continuous months of occupancy, covered tenants may only be evicted for enumerated just-cause reasons—such as nonpayment of rent, lease violations, or the owner moving in—or for no-fault reasons that require relocation assistance equal to one month's rent. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) added enforcement teeth and extended some protections.
Security Deposits (AB 12 / Civil Code §1950.5): Since July 1, 2024, landlords of most residential units may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit (prior law allowed up to two months for unfurnished units). The landlord must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions within 21 days of move-out. Wrongful withholding can result in up to twice the deposit amount in statutory damages.
Notice Requirements (Civil Code §1946.1): Landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy for a tenant who has lived in the unit less than one year, and at least 60 days' notice if the tenant has occupied the unit for one year or more.
Habitability (Civil Code §§1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including weatherproofing, plumbing, heating, and freedom from vermin. If a landlord refuses to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after notice, tenants may have the right to repair-and-deduct (up to one month's rent) or to withhold rent through a rent-escrow procedure.
Retaliation Prohibited (Civil Code §1942.5): Landlords may not raise rent, reduce services, or attempt eviction in retaliation for a tenant's exercise of legal rights, such as reporting habitability issues to a government agency.
No Self-Help Evictions (Civil Code §789.3): Landlords are prohibited from locking out tenants, removing doors or windows, or cutting off utilities to force a tenant out. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages plus $100 per day of the violation.
Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization (Rohnert Park Municipal Code §9.70): Rohnert Park operates a rent stabilization ordinance specifically for mobile home park space rents. Under the ordinance, landlords of mobile home park spaces may increase rent by no more than 100% of the Consumer Price Index or 6%, whichever is less, in any 12-month period. Disputes over whether an increase complies with the ordinance may be heard by the Rohnert Park Rent Appeals Board.
Mobile home residents who believe a rent increase violates §9.70 should document the increase in writing and contact the city or Legal Aid of Sonoma County to initiate an appeal. The Mobilehome Residency Law (California Civil Code §798 et seq.) provides additional statewide protections governing lease terms, park rules, and eviction procedures for mobile home residents.
No City-Wide Apartment Rent Control: Despite community advocacy calling for broader rent control, Rohnert Park has not passed a local ordinance capping rents for standard apartment units, houses, or condominiums. Residents of those properties rely solely on state law protections described above.
California AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024) amended Civil Code §1950.5 to limit security deposits to one month's rent for most residential tenancies, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. Small landlords who own no more than two residential rental properties with a combined total of no more than four units may still collect up to two months' rent, provided the tenant is not an active-duty service member.
After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 days to either return the full deposit or mail an itemized written statement of deductions together with any remaining balance and copies of receipts for repairs or cleaning. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and cleaning costs if the unit was not returned in the same condition as received (excluding ordinary wear). A landlord who in bad faith retains the deposit may be liable for the tenant's actual damages plus up to twice the deposit amount as a statutory penalty.
Required Notice: Before filing an eviction lawsuit, a landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. The most common are a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (for nonpayment), a 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit (for fixable lease violations), or a 3-Day Notice to Quit (for serious violations). For no-fault terminations of month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must give 30 days' notice (under one year of occupancy) or 60 days' notice (one year or more).
Just-Cause Requirement: Under Civil Code §1946.2, once a tenant has lived in a covered unit for 12 months, the landlord must have a legally recognized just-cause reason to terminate the tenancy. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent, material lease violations, and criminal activity on the property. No-fault causes—such as owner move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, or substantial remodel—require the landlord to pay one month's rent in relocation assistance to the displaced tenant.
Unlawful Detainer Process: If a tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord must file an Unlawful Detainer (UD) lawsuit in Sonoma County Superior Court. The tenant has the right to file a written response and request a hearing. A tenant who receives a UD summons should contact Legal Aid of Sonoma County immediately, as response deadlines are short (typically 5 business days).
Self-Help Evictions Illegal: Lockouts, utility shutoffs, and removal of belongings without a court order are illegal under Civil Code §789.3. A tenant subjected to self-help eviction can sue for actual damages plus $100 per day of the violation.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant protection laws change frequently; verify current rules with a licensed California attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before making housing decisions.
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