The notice must state the reason, and a copy goes to the Rent Control Board within 3 days.
Depends on the year the building was built.
From Santa Monica City Charter art. XVIII, § 1806, read Oct 3, 2026.Show the law
“No landlord shall take action to terminate any tenancy including but not limited, to making a demand
for possession of a rental unit, threatening to terminate a tenancy, serving any notice to quit or
other eviction notice …”
Santa Monica City Charter art. XVIII, § 1806 · santamonica.gov
Who can help
Ask the Santa Monica Rent Control BoardFree counselors explain your options, by phone or in person.Santa Monica Rent Control Board
Get free legal helpLegal aid for tenants who got a notice.LawHelpCA
State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.
Santa Monica lawDepends on the building
Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment: eviction only for just cause
Can my landlord make me move out?
Yes, only for a listed good reason.
The notice must state the reason, and a copy goes to the Rent Control Board within 3 days.
Depends on the year the building was built.
Who it covers
Buildings completed on or before Apr 10, 1979.
Not owner-occupied buildings with 3 units or fewer.
Covers: Controlled rental units as defined in §1801(c).
Exemptions: Same exemptions as controlled rental units; single family homes not rented July 1, 1984 (§1815); State Park/tidelands property (§1820).
In force since
Apr 10, 1979
Enacted
Apr 10, 1979
The law, word for word
“No landlord shall take action to terminate any tenancy including but not limited, to making a demand
for possession of a rental unit, threatening to terminate a tenancy, serving any notice to quit or
other eviction notice …”
Santa Monica City Charter art. XVIII, § 1806 · santamonica.gov · Retrieved Oct 3, 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 …”