Housing laws

Renters & landlords in San Luis Obispo

The rules on rent increases, ending a tenancy and security deposits. Most come from state law and apply the same way in the City of SLO and across the county; mobile home parks in the City have extra local protection.

By Jon, editor & creative director · Last reviewed October 8, 2026

Rent increases (AB 1482)

8.6% is the most a covered rent can rise in any 12 months for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

The state Tenant Protection Act caps increases at 5% plus the change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months, in no more than two increases (Civil Code 1947.12).
SLO isn't in a federal metro price index, so it uses the California CPI, which rose 3.6% from April 2025 to April 2026 (Dept. of Industrial Relations). That's where the 8.6% comes from.
When a unit is vacant and re-rented, the owner can set the new starting rent. The cap applies to increases after that.
Not covered: housing with a certificate of occupancy issued in the last 15 years (a rolling window), deed-restricted affordable housing, dorms, and an owner-occupied duplex. Houses and condos that can be sold separately are also exempt if they aren't owned by a corporation, REIT or LLC with a corporate member and the tenant received the required written exemption notice.
The law is set to expire January 1, 2030 unless extended.

Ending a tenancy (just cause)

Once a tenant has lived in a covered unit for 12 months, the owner needs a legal reason to end the tenancy and must state it in the notice (Civil Code 1946.2).
At-fault reasons include nonpayment, a material lease breach, nuisance, criminal activity and unauthorized subletting. Fixable violations need a notice to cure first.
No-fault reasons are an owner or close-relative move-in, withdrawing the unit from the rental market, a government order, or demolition or a substantial remodel that requires the tenant to leave for at least 30 days.
For no-fault endings, the owner owes one month's rent in relocation assistance (or waives the last month), due within 15 days of the notice. An owner who moves in must do so within 90 days and stay at least 12 months.

Security deposits

Maximum one month's rent for deposits collected on or after July 1, 2024 (Civil Code 1950.5).
A small landlord (a natural person or an LLC of natural persons owning no more than two rental properties with four or fewer units total) may collect up to two months, but not from a service member.
The landlord must return the deposit, or an itemized statement of deductions, within 21 days of move-out.
Landlords must photograph the unit at move-out (since April 1, 2025) and at move-in for tenancies starting on or after July 1, 2025.

Mobile home parks (City of SLO)

The City has its own Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 5.44) for spaces in mobile home parks.

Space rent can rise once a year by 100% of the CPI change up to 5%, plus 75% of any CPI change above 5%, capped at 9% (Section 5.44.060).
In 2026 the City removed the exemption for long-term leases, so they're now covered too (Ordinance 1757). It also added rules for rent when a home is sold under an existing lease and a tenant-notice requirement for park owners (Ordinance 1759).

Getting help

The City's Safe Housing Program handles substandard rental conditions: call Code Enforcement at 805-594-8188, or reach City Housing Programs at 805-781-7524 or [email protected].

Questions people ask

How much can a landlord raise rent in San Luis Obispo in 2026?

For rentals covered by the state Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), the cap for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 is 8.6% in a 12-month period: 5% plus the 3.6% change in the California Consumer Price Index, because San Luis Obispo has no metro-area index. Newer buildings and some houses and condos owned by individuals are exempt.

What is the maximum security deposit in California?

For most rentals, one month's rent (Civil Code 1950.5), for deposits collected on or after July 1, 2024. Small landlords (a natural person or family LLC owning no more than two rental properties with four or fewer units) may collect up to two months, except from service members. The deposit or an itemized statement is due within 21 days after move-out.

Do I need a reason to end a tenancy in SLO?

Under state law, once a tenant has lived in a covered unit 12 months, the owner needs a legal "just cause" to end the tenancy, such as nonpayment or an owner move-in. For no-fault reasons, the owner owes relocation assistance equal to one month's rent (or a waiver of the last month's rent).

How much can mobile home space rent go up in the City of SLO?

Once a year, by 100% of the CPI change up to 5% plus 75% of any change above 5%, capped at 9%, under the City Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Since 2026 it also covers long-term leases.

Official sources

General information, not legal advice. Laws and local rules change, and exemptions depend on the facts. For a specific situation, check the source or talk to a California-licensed attorney. Tenants and landlords can also use the California Courts eviction & housing self-help guide. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.