Residential Tenancy Protections
Para ver esta página en español, haga clic en el ícono del Planeta Tierra ("Translate"/Traducir) en la parte superior derecha.
In January 2020 California's Tenant Protection Act (TPA) went into effect which significantly changed the rules around renting residential property, including rent stabilization which limits how landlords can raise rent and when they can terminate rental agreements. In October 2022, Petaluma City Council adopted an interim ordinance that provides extended tenant protections, expands the units they apply to (including single family homes), accelerates when the protections take effect for tenants, and establishes remedies for violations.
The interim ordinance is set to expire July 1, 2023 and City Council will be reviewing this interim ordinance at a workshop on March 6 to discuss what, if any, changes will be made. City Staff is hosting community workshops on February 1 & 4 (details below) to gather feedback to present at the Council workshop. Spanish translation will be available at all workshops.
Share Your Feedback
Upcoming Community Workshops - Feb. 1 & Feb. 4
Renters, landlords, and all Petaluma community members are invited to join the City of Petaluma's upcoming community workshops to learn about the interim Residential Tenancy Protections Ordinance and provide feedback for Council to consider.
- Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 6-8pm: Virtual Workshop on Zoom
- Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81976962367
- Saturday, Feb. 4 from 11am-1pm: In-person Workshop
- Petaluma Community Center - 320 N. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
At these workshops we will:
- Provide information about the current Residential Tenancy Protections Ordinance
- Explain how Petaluma's ordinance compares to existing state law
- Gather feedback on potential amendments to the ordinance for City Council to consider
- Help you understand how this impacts renters and landlords
- Answer any additional questions
Community Survey
Coming Soon
Current Ordinance Information
Click here to view the City of Petaluma’s Tenant Protections Ordinance.
Click here to view the related Staff Report.
The Residential Tenancy Protections were designed to:
- Prevent arbitrary, retaliatory, or discriminatory evictions
- Provide enhanced rental protections beyond the TPA, for more units and tenants to acquire the protections faster than provided by the TPA
- Provide proper notice to tenants about their rights and about termination of tenancy
- Provide relocation assistance to tenants who are evicted under certain circumstances
- Ensures that all noticing is provided in both English and Spanish, or provided in the same language as the original Lease Agreement
HOW TO GET HELP
Petaluma People Service Center
Free, non-biased services to all tenants, agents, and landlords who live in, manage, or own property in Petaluma.
Phone: 707-765-8488
City of Petaluma Housing Manager
Questions about the City's rules and submitting required forms.
Email: [email protected]
Legal Aid of Sonoma County
Help with eviction defense, Section 8 issues, mobile home park support, habitability problems, and price gouging for low-income tenants.
Phone: 707-843-4432
Sign Up for Email Updates
Guide to Tenant Protections in Petaluma
Your Rights as a Tenant
Noticing Required by Landlords
