Sacramento · Eviction

Does my landlord need a reason to make me move out in Sacramento?

Yes, after 12 months in the home.

Why, and the exact law

For repairs, owner move-in, or leaving the rental market, you get 120 days' written notice.

Depends on the year the building was built or the number of units.

From Sacramento City Code § 5.156.090, read Oct 4, 2026.
Show the law

“Once a tenant has resided in a rental unit for more than 12 months pursuant to the terms of a rental housing agreement, the landlord is prohibited from taking action …”

Sacramento City Code § 5.156.090 · cityofsacramento.gov

Were you told to move out?

What reason did they give?

What reason did they give?

Who can help

  1. Get free legal helpLegal aid for tenants who got a notice.LawHelpCA
  2. Find a lawyerReferral service of the State Bar.State Bar of California
Every rule here, word for word (2)

State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.

Sacramento lawDepends on the building

Sacramento Tenant Protection Act - tenant eviction protections

Does my landlord need a reason to make me move out?

Yes, after 12 months in the home.

For repairs, owner move-in, or leaving the rental market, you get 120 days' written notice.

Depends on the year the building was built or the number of units.

Who it covers

  • Buildings with a first certificate of occupancy on or before Feb 1, 1995.
  • Buildings with 2 or more units.
  • Covers: Tenant must have resided in the unit more than 12 months. Owner move-in requires a natural-person landlord with at least 51% ownership. Repairs give a right to reoccupy at the prior rent.
  • Exemptions: Section 5.156.030 exemptions apply: transient, institutional, government-owned/subsidized or income-restricted units, shared bath/kitchen with owner, CO after Feb 1, 1995, single dwelling units, condos/stock co-ops, owner-occupied.
In force since
2019
Set to be repealed
Dec 31, 2029
The law, word for word

“Once a tenant has resided in a rental unit for more than 12 months pursuant to the terms of a rental housing agreement, the landlord is prohibited from taking action …”

Sacramento City Code § 5.156.090 · cityofsacramento.gov · Retrieved Oct 4, 2026

California lawDepends on the building

California Tenant Protection Act – Just Cause Eviction

Can my landlord make me move out?

After a year, only for a good reason.

If it's not your fault, they owe you 1 month's rent or must waive your last month.

Depends on the year the building was built.

Who it covers

  • Not buildings less than 15 years old.
  • Not owner-occupied buildings with 2 units or fewer.
  • Covers: Tenancies of 12+ months (24 if additional adults added); does not apply where a local just cause ordinance applies.
  • Exemptions: Transient hotels; certain care facilities; dormitories; shared kitchen/bath with owner; owner-occupied single-family and duplex; CO within previous 15 years; separately alienable non-corporate-owned property with notice; deed-restricted or subsidized affordable housing.
In force since
Apr 1, 2024
Current version since
Jan 1, 2026
Set to be repealed
Jan 1, 2030
The law, word for word

“after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy …”

Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 · leginfo.legislature.ca.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026

Quote checked word for word

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Information about the law, not legal advice.