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Local Rent Rules · last verified October 25, 2026

San José, CA rent rules

Coverage, this period's allowable increase, notice periods, just cause and relocation — straight from the official sources, each linked and dated. 3 items are marked "not verified": we would rather show no figure than a guessed one.

Check a specific unit →

Not legal advice. LeaseHelper is a document automation service, not a law firm. This page summarises official sources and links each figure to them. Rules change — city figures are re-published every year — so check the "verified" date on each item and confirm with the agency before you act.

State law also applies here: California (statewide — Tenant Protection Act, AB 1482).

Which units are covered

aro scope

Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO): apartments in buildings of 3 or more units built and occupied before September 7, 1979.

min units
3
built and occupied before
1979-09-07

San José Apartment Rent Ordinance · official source · verified October 25, 2026

tpo scope

Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO) coverage per the City's eviction-process page; unit-count threshold not stated there.

Multifamily dwellings, guesthouses and unpermitted units.

San José Tenant Protection Ordinance · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Maximum rent increase

aro max pct

Maximum 5%, once in a 12-month period. Increases after a voluntary vacancy or lawful eviction are exempt; capital-improvement pass-through (≤3%) and fair-return petitions available.

5

San José Apartment Rent Ordinance · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Notice periods

rent increase notice days

Not verified — no figure shown. City page read did not restate the notice period; state law applies (30 days ≤10%, 90 days >10%).

Just cause for eviction

reasons

13 just causes. Reasons 9–13 are no-fault and require relocation assistance.

  • nonpayment of rent
  • material or habitual lease violation
  • damage to the apartment
  • refusal to agree to a similar or new rental agreement
  • disorderly behavior
  • refusing lawful access
  • unapproved holdover subtenant
  • criminal activity
  • substantial rehabilitation (no-fault)
  • Ellis Act removal from the rental market (no-fault)
  • owner move-in (no-fault)
  • city code enforcement requiring move-out (no-fault)
  • converting an unpermitted unit to a permitted use (no-fault)

San José Tenant Protection Ordinance · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Relocation assistance

no fault amounts

Relocation for TPO reasons 9–13, by unit size. The City page does not state the effective period of these amounts — confirm before paying.

studio
$6,925
1 BR
$8,400
2 BR
$10,353
3 BR
$12,414
timing
paid at service of notice

San José Tenant Protection Ordinance · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Required notices

termination notice requirements

TPO termination-notice requirements.

  • in writing, with the notice period required by state law
  • states at least one just cause
  • include the City's Resources and Referral Notice
  • send a copy to the City within 3 days of serving the tenant

San José Tenant Protection Ordinance · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Registration and filings

rent registry

Not verified — no figure shown. The Rent Registry requirement page was not reachable from the build environment on 2026-10-25. Not asserted.

Penalties

violation

Not verified — no figure shown. Not stated on the pages read. Not asserted.

Need the notice itself?

Generate a rent-increase, just-cause termination or relocation notice built from these exact figures, with the required city language.

See notices →

Rules change — last verified October 25, 2026. Dataset: legal-facts/v1, jurisdiction ca-san-jose.