Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Windsor is a growing town in Sonoma County, California, home to approximately 30,000 residents. Like many communities in the North Bay, Windsor has seen rising rents in recent years, leading many tenants to ask whether local rent control or additional tenant protections exist beyond those provided by state law.
The Town of Windsor has not adopted a local rent control ordinance or a local just-cause eviction ordinance. Tenants in Windsor are protected exclusively by California statewide tenant law, primarily the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), which caps annual rent increases and requires landlords to have just cause before evicting most long-term tenants. The Sonoma County Residential Tenancy Protections Ordinance, adopted in September 2024, applies only to unincorporated areas of the county and does not extend to the incorporated Town of Windsor.
This article summarizes the key protections available to Windsor renters under California law. It is intended as general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice from a licensed California attorney.
Windsor has no local rent control ordinance. The Town has not enacted any municipal rent stabilization law, so there is no Windsor-specific cap on how much a landlord can raise your rent each year beyond what California state law requires.
Under California Civil Code § 1947.12 (AB 1482, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019), annual rent increases are capped at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with an absolute maximum of 10% per year. For the Sonoma County area, the applicable CPI figure is published annually; for 2025–2026 the combined cap is approximately 7.7%. This state cap applies to most residential rentals that are at least 15 years old and are not otherwise exempt.
Common exemptions from AB 1482 rent caps include: single-family homes and condos where the owner provides a written exemption notice, units built within the last 15 years, and properties where the owner provides an owner-occupied duplex. If your unit is exempt, your landlord may raise rent by any amount, subject only to proper notice requirements.
California provides several important protections for Windsor tenants under state law:
Just-Cause Eviction (Civ. Code § 1946.2): Under AB 1482, landlords must have a legally recognized reason — called 'just cause' — to evict tenants who have continuously occupied a unit for at least 12 months. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) strengthened these rules by tightening the requirements for owner-move-in and substantial remodel evictions, requiring landlords to pay greater relocation assistance and imposing stricter verification requirements.
Security Deposits (Civ. Code § 1950.5; AB 12, effective July 1, 2024): Landlords may charge a maximum security deposit equal to one month's rent for most unfurnished units (reduced from two months by AB 12). Deposits must be returned within 21 days of move-out along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. A landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit may be liable for up to twice the deposit amount as a penalty.
Notice to Vacate (Civ. Code § 1946.1): For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide at least 30 days' written notice if the tenant has lived in the unit less than one year, or at least 60 days' notice if the tenant has resided there one year or more.
Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including providing working plumbing, heating, weather protection, and pest control. If a landlord fails to make repairs after receiving notice, tenants may have the right to repair-and-deduct or withhold rent under certain conditions.
Anti-Retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5): It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for exercising a legal right, such as complaining about habitability issues or contacting a government agency. Retaliatory actions can include rent increases, eviction notices, or reduced services.
Source of Income Protections (Gov. Code § 12955): California prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income, meaning landlords may not refuse to rent to tenants who use Section 8 vouchers or other housing assistance.
No Self-Help Eviction (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords are strictly prohibited from removing a tenant by changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities. Such conduct is illegal regardless of whether the tenant owes rent.
California law strictly governs how landlords in Windsor may collect and handle security deposits:
Maximum Deposit: Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024), landlords may charge no more than one month's rent as a security deposit for most unfurnished residential units (Civ. Code § 1950.5). The prior limit of two months' rent for unfurnished units was reduced by this law. Small landlords who own no more than two residential properties with a total of no more than four units may charge up to two months' rent until July 1, 2028.
Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord must return the deposit (or the portion not withheld) along with an itemized written statement of deductions within 21 calendar days.
Allowable Deductions: Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and cleaning necessary to restore the unit to the same level of cleanliness it was in at move-in.
Penalties: If a landlord in bad faith fails to return a deposit or provides a fraudulent itemization, the tenant may sue and recover up to twice the amount of the security deposit as a statutory penalty in addition to actual damages (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
To evict a tenant in Windsor, a landlord must follow California's formal eviction process. Self-help eviction — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under Civil Code § 789.3 and can expose a landlord to significant damages.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must first serve a written notice on the tenant. Common notice types include:
Just-Cause Requirement (Civ. Code § 1946.2): For tenants who have occupied a covered unit for at least 12 months, the landlord must have a legally recognized 'at-fault' or 'no-fault' just cause. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent, breach of lease, and criminal activity. No-fault causes include owner or family move-in, intent to demolish or substantially remodel, or removing the unit from the rental market. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) tightened no-fault eviction requirements, requiring greater relocation assistance (equivalent to one month's rent) for no-fault evictions and stricter documentation for owner move-in and remodel evictions.
Step 2 — Unlawful Detainer Lawsuit: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an Unlawful Detainer (UD) lawsuit in Sonoma County Superior Court. The tenant will be served a summons and has five court days to file a written response.
Step 3 — Court Hearing and Judgment: Both parties present their case at a hearing. If the court rules in favor of the landlord, it issues a judgment for possession. The tenant then typically has five days to vacate voluntarily.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not leave, the landlord may request a Writ of Possession, authorizing the county sheriff to remove the tenant. A landlord may never personally remove a tenant without a court order.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord rights can change, and the applicability of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Windsor and California laws may have been amended after the publication of this article. Renters and landlords should consult a licensed California attorney or a qualified local tenant rights organization for advice about their particular circumstances.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.