Does Santa Monica Have Rent Control?
Yes - Rent Control
Yes. Santa Monica has had rent control since 1979 under the Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment. It is one of the strongest rent control laws in California.
The charter covers most residential rental units and is administered by the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, an independent agency.
Santa Monica Rent Control Board →
3-Day Notice Requirements in Santa Monica
In addition to California's statewide CCP §1161 requirements, Santa Monica has the following local requirements:
- Just cause for eviction is required for all rent-controlled units
- A copy of the notice must be filed with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board
- Notice must reference the applicable section of the Rent Control Charter Amendment
- Tenant must be informed of their right to contact the Rent Control Board
- Certain evictions require prior approval from the Rent Control Board
RentNotice handles this automatically. When you select Santa Monica as your property location, all required local language is added to your notice.
Landlord Resources in Santa Monica
- All rental units must be registered with the Rent Control Board
- File a copy of any eviction notice with the Rent Control Board
- Annual rent increases are set by the Rent Control Board based on CPI
- Just cause is required for all evictions - 10 permissible grounds listed in the charter
- Some evictions require prior Rent Control Board approval
Tenant Resources in Santa Monica
- If you receive a 3-day notice, contact the Rent Control Board to verify it meets all local requirements.
- You have the right to a hearing before the Rent Control Board regarding any eviction.
- Santa Monica provides strong tenant protections - most evictions require just cause and prior board approval.
- Free legal assistance may be available through LAFLA and other organizations.
- If you believe your notice is invalid, consult a licensed California attorney immediately.
Just Cause for Eviction in Santa Monica
Under Santa Monica Rent Control Board, Santa Monica requires just cause for any eviction of a covered tenant. The grounds fall into two categories:
Fault-based grounds — based on the tenant's conduct: non-payment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, illegal use, criminal activity on the premises, refusal to renew, refusal to allow lawful entry, or other tenant-caused grounds enumerated in the ordinance.
No-fault grounds — based on the landlord's circumstances: owner or qualifying family-member move-in, withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act), substantial remodel or demolition, or compliance with a government order. No-fault terminations require relocation assistance.
The exact list of grounds, the documentation required for each, and any city-specific cure periods are set by Santa Monica Rent Control Board and updated as the ordinance is amended. Always verify the current grounds with the agency before serving a notice.
Santa Monica Rent Control Board — current just-cause grounds →
Relocation Assistance in Santa Monica
When a landlord serves a no-fault eviction in Santa Monica (owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from the rental market, demolition, or compliance with a government order), the local ordinance requires relocation assistance to be paid to the tenant.
Amounts typically vary by:
- Tenant category — standard tenants vs. senior (62+), disabled, low-income, or families with minor children (protected categories receive higher amounts)
- Unit size — studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom+
- Length of tenancy — long-term tenants are sometimes entitled to additional payments
Santa Monica Rent Control Board sets the current relocation schedule and updates it periodically (often annually, indexed to CPI). Timing of payment also varies by city — some require full payment at notice service, others split between service and vacancy. Confirm the current amounts and timing rules with the agency before serving a no-fault notice.
Santa Monica Rent Control Board — current relocation schedule →
Santa Monica Eviction Notice FAQs
Do I need just cause to evict in Santa Monica?
Yes. Under the Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment (1979), almost every covered tenancy requires just cause for eviction. The grounds are listed in Section 1806 of the Charter and include both fault-based reasons (non-payment, breach of lease, nuisance) and no-fault grounds (owner move-in, demolition, withdrawal under Ellis Act).
Where do I file my notice with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board?
A copy of every eviction notice must be filed with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board within three business days of service. The Board is at 1685 Main Street, Room 202, Santa Monica, CA 90401. RentNotice can mail this filing copy automatically when you generate a notice.
What are the relocation amounts in Santa Monica?
For no-fault evictions (owner move-in, demolition, Ellis withdrawal), Santa Monica requires substantial relocation payments. Amounts are set annually by the Rent Control Board and adjusted for inflation. As of the most recent schedule, base relocation is several thousand dollars per unit, with higher amounts for senior, disabled, or low-income tenants and households with minor children. Verify the current amount with the Rent Control Board at smgov.net/rent-control.
How much can I raise rent in Santa Monica?
Annual general adjustments are set each year by the Santa Monica Rent Control Board. The number is published in May and applies to leases starting September 1. Increases above the general adjustment require a separate petition (Capital Improvement, Rate of Return, or Hardship). The state TPA cap (CPI + 5%, max 10%) is a ceiling; Santa Monica's local cap is almost always lower.
What's the difference between Santa Monica rent control and AB 1482?
Santa Monica rent control was adopted in 1979 and is much stronger than the state Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482). Santa Monica caps annual rent increases at the local general adjustment (typically 1-3%), while AB 1482 caps at the lesser of CPI+5% or 10%. Santa Monica also covers more units and offers more eviction protections. Where both apply, the more protective rule controls.
Do I need Rent Control Board approval before evicting?
For most fault-based evictions, no — you serve the notice and proceed to unlawful detainer if the tenant doesn't cure or vacate. For no-fault evictions (owner move-in, Ellis withdrawal, demolition), additional Board filings, registrations, or pre-conditions may apply. Always file your notice with the Board within three business days regardless.
What happens if I don't file my notice with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board?
A notice that hasn't been filed with the Board within three business days can be deemed defective at the unlawful-detainer stage. The court may dismiss your case, forcing you to start over with a new notice. RentNotice handles the filing automatically when you generate a Santa Monica notice.
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