Emeryville Just Cause, Relocation, and Business License Rules

Not legal advice. We’re property managers, not attorneys. This post reflects our professional experience — not legal counsel. For your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney ↓

Key Facts

Emeryville has no rent control, but landlords need a valid business license and a listed cause to end any tenancy, must use the city's notice form, file it with the City Clerk, and pay relocation for no-fault endings.

Citation: Emeryville Municipal Code Title 5, Ch. 40 (§§ 5-40.01–5-40.08)
Status: In force
Effective: Apr 1, 2017
Jurisdiction: Emeryville
Applies to: Emeryville landlords of covered units, from the first day of a tenancy

Key number	Value	As of
Relocation, large landlord (5+ units in Emeryville)	Greater of 5x HUD Fair Market Rent or 4x current rent	Sep 25, 2026
Relocation, small landlord (4 or fewer units)	Greater of 1x HUD Fair Market Rent or 1 month's rent	Sep 25, 2026
Example: large landlord, 1BR from Oct 1, 2026	At least $11,450 (5 x $2,290)	Oct 1, 2026
Copy of notice to City Clerk	Within 10 days of delivery	Sep 25, 2026
Tenant right to return	If the unit is re-rented within 2 years	Sep 25, 2026

Last reviewed Oct 2, 2026 · Checked against the official text

What it requires

Hold a valid residential landlord business license and give tenants the city’s notice of tenant rights before you can end a tenancy.
End a tenancy only for one of the listed for-cause or no-fault reasons. Unlike state law, there is no 12-month waiting period.
Use the city’s notice-of-termination form, including a list of rents charged during the tenancy, and deliver a copy with the lease to the City Clerk within 10 days.
For no-fault endings (owner move-in, removal from the market, repairs, or renovation), pay relocation by the last paid day of the tenancy and offer the unit back if it returns to the market within two years.
Rent increases follow state law: the AB 1482 cap applies to covered units.

Owner checklist

Business license current before any notice
Notice of tenant rights given at signing and every renewal
City form used, with the rent history filled in
Copy and lease sent to the City Clerk within 10 days
Relocation amount calculated with current HUD Fair Market Rents

What changed and what’s next

Jun 4, 2020: Relocation split into large- and small-landlord amounts (Ord. 20-009)
Expected Oct 1, 2027: HUD FY 2028 Fair Market Rents take effect, changing relocation minimums

From our East Bay files

We've been headquartered in Emeryville since 2005, and business license renewal sits on our own compliance calendar for exactly this reason. We track it the same way we track registration deadlines in cities that do have a rent board: on a calendar, ahead of when it's needed.
All East Bay Properties, Emeryville

Go deeper

Official source: Emeryville Municipal Code ch. 5-40 (eCode360)
Spot something out of date? Report an error

Article provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. California landlord-tenant law is subject to change, and local ordinances in Berkeley, Oakland, and other East Bay cities may impose requirements beyond those described here. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified property management professional before taking action based on any information in this guide.

Jason Crouch · Founder, All East Bay Properties · CA DRE #01295378 · Licensed broker and East Bay property manager since 2005 — Jason Crouch · Founder,
All East Bay Properties

Jason Crouch is the founder of All East Bay Properties, which he established in Emeryville in 2005. For more than 20 years, he has managed residential rental properties across Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, and the broader East Bay — navigating some of California’s most tenant-protective rental markets in the country.

Jason holds a California real estate broker license (DRE #01295378) and is a member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) — the professional association for property management specialists — and is a member of the Bridge Association of Realtors. He has served as Chair of the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce, as incoming Chair of the Oakland Association of Realtors, and on the board of BridgeMLS. He was also a board member of ECAP, the Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program.

On This Page

Need a Hand?

We track every East Bay ordinance so you don’t have to.

Search the website

📬 Get the Thursday Tip + Free Rental Rules Cheat Sheet

A quick-reference guide to California and East Bay rental rules for 2026.
One practical East Bay housing insight, delivered weekly by email.

Unlock Expert Landlord Tips — Free!

One more thing…

Your eBook is on its way!

You're in! 🎉