The information on this page is to help you understand and navigate tenant protections in the Santa Barbara South Coast (from Carpinteria to Gaviota). While our goal is to provide the most up-to-date information on local ordinances, it’s important to note that this information is for reference purposes only. Please check with each municipality for specific ordinance language and consult an attorney for legal issues.
Helping REALTORS and their clients navigate the rental landscape
Rental Information
Quick Guide: Santa Barbara South Coast Tenant Protections
Featuring:
- Exemptions
- Reasons to Evict (Fault)
- Reasons to Evict (No Fault)
- Substantial Remodel
- Intent to Occupy
- Relocation Payments
- Mandatory Offer of Residential Lease
Navigating Tenant Protections Presentation
Featuring:
- Exemptions
- Rent Caps
- Just Cause/No Cause
- Mandatory Right of First Refusal
- Relocation Assistance
- Mandatory Offer of a One-Year Lease
- Security Deposits
- Liability
- Other Notable Laws
Selling Tenant-Occupied Properties
Landlord-tenant rules have become more complex, if not impenetrable, and the watchword today is “conservative risk management.” Fortunately, C.A.R.’s standard residential purchase agreement has been revised to help minimize the risk for agents and sellers.
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C.A.R. Quick Guides
You can view the presentation slides and other important quick guides below. Please note that property management is complex. These are intended for reference purposes only. Please check with each municipality for specific ordinance language and consult an attorney for legal issues. C.A.R. resources will require you to log-in.
2025 New Laws You Need To Know Right Now
2025 New Laws (Part 2) Rentals
Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (Part One)
Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (Part Two)
Balcony Inspection Laws Jan 1, 2025 Deadline Extended to Jan 1, 2026, but not for Condo Associations
Municipal Codes
City of Santa Barbara
Chapter 26.40: REQUIRED ONE-YEAR LEASE OFFERS TO RESIDENTIAL TENANTS
Chapter 26.50: JUST CAUSE FOR RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS
Chapter 26.60: PROTECTION OF TENANTS
City of Goleta
Chapter 8.19: TENANT PROTECTIONS
City of Carpinteria
Title 7 – HOUSING REGULATIONS
County of Santa Barbara
Chapter 44 - RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY-LANDLORDS AND TENANTS RIGHTS AND DUTIES
Rental Mediation
Rental mediation serves as a valuable tool for resolving disputes between tenants and landlords outside of traditional legal channels. By facilitating open communication and negotiation, mediation aims to address issues such as lease disagreements, maintenance concerns, or rent disputes in a constructive and collaborative manner. Through this process, both parties have the opportunity to present their perspectives and work towards mutually agreeable solutions with the help of a neutral mediator. This approach not only fosters a more amicable resolution but also helps maintain positive relationships and can prevent the escalation of conflicts into legal battles, saving time and resources for everyone involved.
C.A.R. Lease/Rental Chart
REALTORS® know very well the importance, and the complexity, of the various state and federal disclosure laws governing real estate transactions in California. Lease/Rental Disclosure Chart is designed to provide REALTORS® and their clients with an easy-to-use reference guide for determining the applicability of these laws to the lease and rental transactions most commonly handled by real estate agents.
C.A.R. Legal Live Webinars
C.A.R.’s Legal Live Webinars are online presentations conducted by C.A.R. attorneys typically on the second Tuesday of every month. Hear about legal developments and answers to common questions. Watch live or from a recorded post. Legal Live Webinars are offered as a free member benefit.
C.A.R. Legal Q&As, New Laws, and Disclosure Charts
C.A.R.'s Legal Department, on a regular basis, creates legal articles for our members. These articles frequently are in question-and-answer format and are currently available on over 150 subjects in 50-plus categories. Sample topics are advertising, arbitration and mediation, broker practice, cold calling, contract issues, landlord-tenant law, procuring cause, real estate disclosures, and many more.