Important Note
This information is for reference only.
Each city (Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, and the County) has its own ordinance and enforcement process.
Always confirm specifics with the city or your attorney.
Santa Barbara Landlord Compliance Hub
Rental laws are changing every 3–6 months across California — and Santa Barbara has some of the most complex local ordinances in the state.
This page summarizes the top rules owners must understand today. It’s not legal advice and doesn’t include every law.
Featured Resources
-Quick Guide: South Coast Tenant Protections (2025)
-SBOAR Tenant Protections Presentation
-Free Landlord Compliance Guide with self-audit checklist
Key Compliance Pressures Right Now
-Rent Caps: 7.7% max through July 2026
-Mandatory Relocation Assistance: up to 3× rent or $7,000 minimum
-Renovation Evictions: require permits, a second-contractor opinion, and capped re-rent pricing
-Deposits: AB 12 & AB 2801 limit to 1 month’s rent and require photo documentation
Legal Advisory & Support
Under SB 567, effective 2024, owners who mishandle “just cause” evictions — even unintentionally — risk:
-Tenant attorney fees,
-Civil penalties, and
-Up to triple damages for wrongful termination of tenancy.
That means the wrong notice, missing permit, or incomplete paperwork can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
With overlapping city and state rules, “doing it yourself” has never carried higher risk.
Having a Property Manager Doesn’t Automatically Protect You
Unless your property manager acts with gross negligence, the liability still rests on the owner.
Most management agreements indemnify the manager, meaning any compliance mistake — rent caps, relocation payments, or security-deposit handling — is legally your responsibility.
Choosing a manager who actively tracks these constant legal shifts is the only real protection.
Tenant Protections — Expanded Legislative Overview (for deeper reference)
-State Rent Caps & Emergency Price Gouging Rules
-Exemptions by Property Type (Single-family, duplex, ADU, new builds, deed-restricted units)
-Screening Fees & Applicant Rights (AB 2493 refund options & fee caps)
-Security Deposits & Photo Documentation — AB 12 & AB 2801
-Positive Credit Reporting Requirements (tenant opt-in & fee limits)
-Notice & Eviction Procedures (3-day pay/quit, 10-day answer period)
-Relocation Payment Timing & Early Tenant Notices
-Civil Penalties & Triple Damages (SB 567 liability expansion)
-Balcony Inspection Law (EEE requirements for 3+ unit buildings)
-“Ability to Pay” Screening for Voucher Applicants
-Qualified Commercial Tenant Rules (small business protections & fee transparency)
Local Expertise, Simplified
Paul Knight, Owner of Mission City Property Management and Director at the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors (SBOAR), collaborates with SBOAR to visualize and simplify compliance for South Coast owners — turning hundreds of pages of legal text into actionable guidance.
