California rent laws are among the strictest in the country. Even so, some communities in this state have tenant protections that go beyond these requirements – and the city of Oxnard is one of them.
As an Oxnard landlord, you’ll need to make sure you don’t violate these legal restrictions (especially since the city just changed its rent rules in early 2026). Keep reading for a full breakdown of Oxnard’s tenant protection laws, including the latest updates to these rules.
What You Need to Know About the Rent Stabilization Ordinance in Oxnard
In Oxnard, strict rules apply to rent increases on certain homes. Landlords can’t increase rent for dwellings that fall under the city’s rent stabilization ordinance by more than 4%. They also cannot raise rent on these units more than once within a 12-month period (unless exemptions apply under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act).
If tenants believe their landlord has increased rent by a higher amount than these rules allow, they can fill out the city’s Rent Overcharge Complaint Form.
Broadly speaking, Oxnard’s rent stabilization ordinance applies to any multifamily residential property in the city that received its first certificate of occupancy before February 1, 1995. However, exceptions apply to:
- Many condominiums and single-family homes
- Properties intended for transient occupancy (such as hotels and boarding houses)
- Duplexes where an owner occupies one of the units
- Institutional properties (i.e., hospitals, dormitories, group homes, and convents)
- Any dwelling units that are exempt from rent control under state or federal law
- Government-subsidized dwelling units
Additional Oxnard Tenant Protections
In addition to these forms of rent stabilization, Oxnard has its own Tenant Protection Ordinance. Under this ordinance, landlords face limits for acceptable grounds for eviction on most tenancies after a tenant has lived on their property for 30 days or more.
As is the case with statewide California rent laws, Oxnard landlords can only start the eviction process when they have a “just cause” reason to do so. These reasons fall into two categories:
1. Eviction for Fault
When a tenant doesn’t pay rent, landlords are within their rights to evict them. This also applies when tenants:
- Break the terms of their lease
- Cause a nuisance
- Create other problems
2. No-Fault Eviction
Even if a resident hasn’t done anything wrong, landlords can recover their unit if they want to occupy it (or let one of their relatives live there). They can also evict tenants when they plan to exit the rental business, want to demolish or substantially remodel their building, or need to comply with a government order.
In the event of a no-fault eviction, owners must provide financial assistance to their tenants. Under Oxnard’s Tenant Protection Ordinance, this assistance should equate to $5,000 or two months’ rent at the time of the eviction (whichever is greater). No relocation assistance requirements apply to tenants facing at-fault evictions.
Notice Regarding Oxnard Tenant Protections
If you have rental property in Oxnard, you need to know when to give your tenants notice of their rights under the law. Generally, tenants are entitled to notice at three points:
First, as a posted notice in a conspicuous location on the property, given in eight separate languages: English, Purpecha, Mixteco, Otomi, Tagalog, Zapoteco, Nahuatl and Spanish.
Second, whenever you serve a notice of changes in terms of tenancy (such as a rent increase notice) you’ll need to provide notice to your Oxnard tenant of their rights under the law. Additionally, for new tenants, that information will need to be included on or before the commencement of their tenancy and it must be in the form of an addendum or a written notice to the tenant, signed by the tenant. If the lease agreement was written or negotiated in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide the notice in that language in addition to English.
Third, the lease agreement must include the following magic language in at least 12-point type: “The Oxnard City Code provides that after all of the tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the property for at least 30 days, an owner must provide a statement of cause in any notice to terminate a tenancy. In addition, Oxnard City Code provides tenants evicted for no-fault just cause with the right to relocation payments. See Chapter 27 of the Oxnard City Code for more information.”
The notices to the tenant are not the only notices you’re required to provide under Oxnard law. You’ll also need to submit a copy of any eviction notice, along with a signed proof of service for the notice, to the City of Oxnard within 5 days of service on your tenant.
Why Should Oxnard Landlords Work With Legal Experts?
Oxnard’s rent control laws are complicated and unsuspecting property owners may unintentionally violate them. Because of that, they need guidance they can rely on whether they’re renting to new tenants or evicting nonpaying tenants.
Getting advice from legal professionals is the best way to avoid trouble while going through these processes. Ideally, the firm you choose to work with will specialize in landlord-tenant matters – if it does, the people working there will be totally qualified to give you guidance on constantly changing laws, such as Oxnard’s rent control.
Know Where To Turn for Legal Advice When It Comes to Your California Rental Property
When Oxnard landlords need help navigating California rent laws, California Property Law Group can share truly trustworthy advice. Though we’re based in Los Angeles, we take pride in serving property owners in nearby communities, including Oxnard.
With the help of our firm, you’ll get the guidance and representation you need to avoid unexpected legal trouble and pursue unlawful detainers in court. If you’d like to learn more, schedule a free consultation!
