Service Areas / Los Angeles County

Eviction Lawyer for Landlords in Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica has had strict rent control for decades. Evicting a tenant from a controlled unit is a specialized process, and a defective notice can cost months.

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Eviction rules that apply in Santa Monica

Santa Monica has local tenant protections in addition to state law. The strictest rule that applies is the one you must follow.

  • Many Santa Monica rental units are covered by the city's Rent Control Charter Amendment, administered by the Rent Control Board, which limits rent increases and the permitted grounds for eviction.
  • Units must be registered with the Rent Control Board, and the rules for owner move in and other no fault terminations are narrow, with relocation payments required.
  • Since 2025 a 3 day notice must state the exact start and end of the notice period, exclude weekends and court holidays, give a real payment address, and say the landlord will retake possession (Eshagian v. Cepeda).
  • Tenants now have 10 court days to respond to an unlawful detainer (AB 2347), so plan on roughly an extra week compared with the old 5 day rule.

We review the unit's registration status and the tenancy history first, because Santa Monica's rules can change which notice is available.

Santa Monica rent control rules

Santa Monica's Rent Control Charter Amendment in brief:

  • Covers most rental units built before April 10, 1979. The Rent Control Board sets a general adjustment each September (2.6% for 2026).
  • Units must be registered, and a maximum allowable rent applies to each controlled unit.
  • Evictions require one of the just causes in the Charter, and no fault evictions require relocation payments.
  • Santa Monica eviction notices have strict content requirements; a defective notice usually means starting over.

Rates and forms change every year. For the current allowable increase, registration rules and the full ordinance, see the city's official page.

Go to the Santa Monica official rent control page

How we handle a Santa Monica eviction

  1. Review. We confirm which state and local rules cover the unit, check the lease and the rent ledger, and identify the right notice.
  2. Notice. We prepare the notice (3 day, 30, 60 or 90 day) with the exact dates and content the law requires, and arrange proper service.
  3. Lawsuit. If the tenant does not pay or move, we file the unlawful detainer in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and have the tenant served.
  4. Default or trial. If there is no response within 10 court days we request a default judgment; if the tenant answers we request a trial date and handle settlement talks and the trial.
  5. Lockout. After judgment we obtain the writ of possession and coordinate the sheriff lockout so you get the property back.

Want the details? Read our guides to the eviction process, eviction notices and California eviction law.

Talk to an eviction attorney about your Santa Monica property. Call (714) 782-7275 (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) or send us a message. Consultations are free.

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Updated October 11, 2026. General information, not legal advice for your situation. Local ordinances change; we verify the current rules for every case.