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Ukiah is the county seat of Mendocino County and home to roughly 16,000 residents in California's North Coast wine country. Like renters throughout California, Ukiah tenants benefit from a robust set of statewide protections covering rent increases, security deposits, habitability, and eviction procedures. The most common questions from Ukiah renters involve how much a landlord can raise rent, what happens to a security deposit, and what rights exist when facing eviction.
Ukiah itself does not have a broad residential rent control ordinance. The city does, however, maintain a Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Ukiah Municipal Code Chapter 8) that limits rent increases in the city's six mobilehome parks. For tenants in standard apartments or houses, California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) provides the primary rent-increase and just-cause-eviction protections.
This page summarizes the laws most relevant to Ukiah renters. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently; consult a licensed attorney or local legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Ukiah has not enacted a general residential rent control ordinance. Standard apartments, houses, condominiums, and other non-mobilehome rental units in Ukiah are not subject to any city-level rent cap beyond California state law.
For mobilehome park tenants, Ukiah Municipal Code Chapter 8 (the Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance, originally enacted as Ordinance No. 1126 in 2011) does apply. The ordinance covers approximately 382 mobilehome spaces across six parks in the city. Park owners must provide at least 90 days' written notice before any rent increase takes effect, and the notice must specify the dollar amount, percentage, and basis for the increase.
For all other residential tenants, state law under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, Civ. Code § 1947.12) limits annual rent increases for covered units to no more than 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, with a hard cap of 10% per year. For the period August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026, the applicable cap for most Northern California counties is approximately 6.3% (5% + 1.3% CPI). Exemptions from AB 1482 include single-family homes and condos where the owner has provided proper notice, buildings constructed within the last 15 years, and certain other categories.
Rent Increase Limits (AB 1482): California Civil Code § 1947.12 prohibits landlords from raising rent on covered units by more than 5% plus the regional CPI in any 12-month period, capped at 10%. A landlord may not issue more than two rent increases in a 12-month period, and the combined increases cannot exceed the cap.
Just Cause for Eviction (AB 1482 / SB 567): Under Civil Code § 1946.2, as tightened by SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024), landlords of covered buildings must have just cause to terminate a tenancy once a tenant has lived there for at least 12 months. Just cause falls into two categories: (1) at-fault causes such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or damage to the property; and (2) no-fault causes such as owner move-in, removal from rental market, or substantial remodel. For no-fault evictions, tenants are entitled to one month's rent as relocation assistance.
Security Deposit Cap (AB 12): Effective July 1, 2024, Civil Code § 1950.5 limits security deposits to a maximum of one month's rent for most unfurnished residential units (previously two months). Small landlords owning no more than two properties may charge up to two months' rent if the tenant is not an active military service member.
Deposit Return: Landlords must return the deposit within 21 calendar days of move-out, with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply may entitle the tenant to twice the withheld amount as a penalty (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
Notice to Vacate: For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must give 30 days' notice if the tenant has lived there less than one year, or 60 days' notice if one year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1). Tenants must give 30 days' notice regardless of tenancy length.
Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition under Civil Code §§ 1941.1 and 1942. This includes functioning heating, plumbing, weatherproofing, and freedom from pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable time after notice, tenants may have the right to repair and deduct costs from rent (up to one month's rent) or, in extreme cases, vacate and terminate the lease.
Retaliation Prohibition: Civil Code § 1942.5 prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report habitability problems, contact code enforcement, or exercise other legal rights. Retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or attempting eviction.
Source-of-Income Discrimination: Under Government Code § 12955, landlords in California may not refuse to rent to a tenant because they use a Section 8 voucher or other lawful source of income.
No Self-Help Eviction: Civil Code § 789.3 prohibits landlords from using self-help eviction tactics such as changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out. Such actions expose the landlord to actual damages plus $100 per day penalty.
Ukiah Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance (UCC Chapter 8): The City of Ukiah enacted its Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1126, 2011, codified at Ukiah City Code Chapter 8) to protect residents of mobilehome parks from excessive rent increases. The ordinance applies to approximately 382 mobilehome spaces in six parks within city limits, including Circle Trailer Court, Manor Home Mobile Estates, Modern Mobile Home Park, Harold's Square Mobile Home Park, Rancho Del Ray Park, and Shady Grove Mobile Home Park.
Key provisions of the ordinance include: (1) park owners must provide at least 90 days' written notice before any rent increase takes effect; (2) the notice must state the dollar amount of the increase, the percentage, an itemization of any pass-through charges, the specific space affected, and the date the space's rent was last increased; (3) owners may pass through to tenants 50% of city-assessed annual administrative fees for the rent stabilization program; and (4) owners may charge mobilehome residents a pro-rata share of new services or capital improvements as additional rent, provided they consult with residents before initiating such costs. Disputes over rent increases in mobilehome parks may be brought before the city's Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Board.
There is no equivalent ordinance for standard apartments or houses in Ukiah. Renters in conventional housing rely entirely on state law protections.
California Civil Code § 1950.5 governs security deposits for all residential rentals in Ukiah. As of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), the maximum allowable security deposit for most unfurnished units is one month's rent. Furnished units may require up to two months' rent. A narrow exception allows small landlords (owning no more than two residential properties with no more than four total units) to collect up to two months' rent, but only if the tenant is not an active-duty military service member.
Upon move-out, the landlord has 21 calendar days to return the deposit along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent, cleaning to restore the unit to its move-in condition, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Landlords may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear. If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within 21 days without a valid reason, the tenant may be entitled to the full deposit back plus a penalty of twice the wrongfully withheld amount (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)). Tenants should document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out with dated photos or video.
Just Cause Requirement: For tenants in AB 1482-covered buildings who have resided in the unit for at least 12 months, landlords must have just cause to terminate the tenancy under Civil Code § 1946.2 (as amended by SB 567, effective April 1, 2024). At-fault just causes include non-payment of rent, violation of a material lease term, nuisance, unauthorized subletting, refusal to allow lawful entry, and criminal activity. No-fault just causes include owner or immediate family member move-in, withdrawal of the unit from the rental market (Ellis Act), compliance with a government order, and intent to demolish or substantially remodel.
Relocation Assistance: For no-fault evictions in covered buildings, the landlord must pay the tenant one month's rent as relocation assistance (or waive the last month's rent) before or at the time the notice is served.
Notice Periods: The required written notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must provide a 3-day notice to pay or quit. For lease violations, a 3-day notice to cure or quit is required. For no-fault terminations of month-to-month tenancies, the notice must be 30 days (tenancy under one year) or 60 days (one year or more) under Civil Code § 1946.1. Mobilehome park tenants under the Ukiah Municipal Code may have additional notice rights.
Unlawful Detainer Process: If the tenant does not comply with or vacate after a valid notice, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit in Mendocino County Superior Court. The tenant has the right to file a written response within five business days of being served the summons. A court hearing will be scheduled, and a judge will decide the outcome. The landlord cannot remove the tenant without a court judgment and a sheriff's enforcement of a writ of possession.
Prohibited Self-Help Eviction: Regardless of circumstances, it is illegal for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove belongings, shut off utilities, or otherwise attempt to force a tenant out without a court order (Civ. Code § 789.3). Tenants subjected to such tactics may sue for actual damages plus $100 per day for each day the violation continues.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord rights under California law and Ukiah municipal ordinances are subject to change. The information presented here reflects the law as understood in May 2026 and may not reflect subsequent legislative, regulatory, or judicial developments. Renters and landlords with specific legal questions should consult a licensed California attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in Mendocino County.
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