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Woodland is the county seat of Yolo County and home to approximately 62,000 residents in California's Sacramento Valley. As an agricultural hub with a growing urban population, Woodland tenants frequently search for information about rent increase limits, security deposit rules, and eviction protections that apply in their city.
Woodland has no local rent control ordinance or just-cause eviction rules beyond what California state law provides. Tenants are protected by the statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), which caps rent increases for qualifying properties and requires landlords to have just cause before evicting long-term tenants. State law also governs security deposits, habitability, and retaliation protections.
This guide summarizes the key laws that apply to Woodland renters. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — consult a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.
Woodland has not enacted a local rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. Renters in Woodland are covered solely by California's statewide rent cap under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code § 1947.12.
For covered properties, landlords may not raise rent by more than 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10% per year. For the Sacramento-area region, the allowable increase for August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026 is approximately 6.3% (5% + 1.3% CPI). Increases above this cap are void and unenforceable.
AB 1482 does not apply to all rentals. Exempt properties include: single-family homes and condos where the owner provides a required exemption notice, properties built within the last 15 years (after approximately 2010 as of 2026), owner-occupied duplexes, and certain affordable housing units. Tenants in exempt units have no rent increase limit under state law unless a local ordinance applies — and Woodland has none.
California law provides Woodland tenants with a broad set of protections:
Rent Increases (Civ. Code § 1947.12): For covered properties, rent increases are capped at 5% + local CPI (max 10%) per year under AB 1482. Landlords must give proper written notice before any increase.
Security Deposits (Civ. Code § 1950.5): Effective July 1, 2024, AB 12 reduced the maximum security deposit to one month's rent for most residential rentals (previously two months for unfurnished units). Landlords must return the deposit within 21 days of move-out, along with an itemized statement of any deductions.
Just Cause Eviction (Civ. Code § 1946.2): Tenants who have lived in a covered unit for at least 12 months cannot be evicted without just cause. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, and criminal activity. No-fault causes include owner move-in, substantial remodel, and withdrawal from the rental market — all requiring one month's relocation assistance. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) tightened these protections.
Notice to Vacate (Civ. Code § 1946.1): Landlords must give 30 days' written notice for month-to-month tenancies of less than one year, and 60 days' notice for tenancies of one year or more.
Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including weatherproofing, plumbing, heating, and freedom from pests. If a landlord fails to repair after notice, tenants may be able to repair-and-deduct (up to one month's rent) or, in serious cases, withhold rent.
Retaliation Prohibited (Civ. Code § 1942.5): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant — by raising rent, reducing services, or filing for eviction — within 180 days of the tenant exercising a protected right such as reporting habitability problems or contacting a government agency.
No Self-Help Evictions (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords may not lock out tenants, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages plus a civil penalty of $100 per day (minimum $250).
Source-of-Income Protection (Gov. Code § 12955): Landlords may not refuse to rent to a tenant solely because they use a housing voucher or other lawful source of income.
California's security deposit law (Civil Code § 1950.5) governs all Woodland rentals. Woodland has no additional local deposit rules.
Deposit Cap: Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024), landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit for most residential tenancies. Small landlords who own no more than two residential properties with a combined total of no more than four units may collect up to two months' rent. This cap applies regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit (or the balance remaining after lawful deductions) within 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates the unit. The landlord must also provide an itemized written statement of any deductions and copies of receipts for repairs or cleaning exceeding $125.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, cleaning needed to restore the unit to its condition at move-in (beyond normal wear and tear), and repair of damages caused by the tenant beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord in bad faith withholds all or part of the deposit, the tenant may sue for the withheld amount plus a penalty of up to twice the withheld amount, in addition to actual damages. Small claims court handles these disputes for amounts up to $12,500.
Evictions in Woodland follow California state law. Landlords must use the court process and may never resort to self-help measures such as changing locks or cutting off utilities (Civil Code § 789.3).
Just Cause Requirement (Civ. Code § 1946.2): For tenants who have lived in a covered unit for 12 months or more, landlords must have just cause to evict. At-fault just cause includes nonpayment of rent, violation of a material lease term, criminal activity on the premises, or refusal to allow lawful access. No-fault just cause includes owner or family move-in, withdrawal of the unit from the rental market, and substantial remodel requiring the tenant to vacate. For no-fault evictions, landlords must pay one month's relocation assistance.
Notice Periods: The required notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Unlawful Detainer (Court Process): If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord must file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit in Yolo County Superior Court. The tenant has 5 business days to respond after being served. If the landlord wins, a sheriff's deputy (not the landlord) will execute the writ of possession. The entire court process typically takes 3–8 weeks if the tenant contests the eviction.
No Self-Help Evictions (Civ. Code § 789.3): A landlord who locks out a tenant, removes belongings, or shuts off utilities without a court order faces civil penalties of at least $100 per day (minimum $250), plus the tenant's actual damages and attorney's fees.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant-landlord laws change frequently, and the information above may not reflect the most current statutes, regulations, or court decisions. Woodland and Yolo County renters facing specific legal issues should consult a licensed California attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as Legal Services of Northern California. Nothing in this article creates an attorney-client relationship.
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