Burbank Rent Control, Tenant Protection and Eviction Rules for Landlords and Sellers

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Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

Burbank does not set its own rent cap, so the statewide 5 percent plus inflation limit (10 percent maximum) governs most rent increases, but the city’s Tenant Protection Ordinance adds higher relocation payments and anti-harassment rules. The local law is Chapter 4, Residential Tenant Protections, in Title 5 of the Burbank Municipal Code.

The council first adopted it as an urgency ordinance on September 12, 2023, and amended it in 2024 and 2025 (Ordinance No. 25-4,025, effective April 11, 2025). This guide covers who is protected, what a no-fault eviction costs a landlord and what to check before selling a Burbank rental.

Burbank tenant rules at a glance

Local rent cap	None. State law under Civil Code section 1947.12 limits increases on covered units
Local ordinance	Burbank Tenant Protection Ordinance, Burbank Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 4
Coverage	Residential rentals covered by the state’s Tenant Protection Act (Civil Code section 1946.2)
Relocation, most no-fault terminations	At least three months of the tenant’s current rent
Relocation, owner or relative move-in	At least one month of rent, if the move-in follows Civil Code section 1946.2(b)(2)(A)
Anti-harassment and retaliation	Burbank Municipal Code 5-4-105; tenants can sue for damages or injunctions
City contact	Burbank Housing Division, (818) 238-5180, housinginfo@burbankca.gov
Stay Housed LA	County program offering workshops and free legal services to eligible tenants

Why Burbank relies on state rent limits

Burbank’s local ordinance applies to all residential rental units covered by the state Tenant Protection Act, and the city’s FAQ describes it as an addition to the state law, not a replacement.

The state law caps annual increases at 5 percent plus the change in the cost of living, up to 10 percent.

The Attorney General’s consumer alert explains that the cap covers most rental housing more than 15 years old, including single-family homes and condominiums owned by corporations, real estate investment trusts or LLCs with a corporate member.

It also requires written notice at least 30 days before an increase, or 90 days if the increase is more than 10 percent.

What the Tenant Protection Ordinance adds

Under the city’s FAQ, the ordinance has four main pieces. First, it raises relocation assistance for no-fault just cause terminations to at least three months of the tenant’s current rent, except for a legitimate owner or relative move-in, where the amount is at least one month.

Second, it bars retaliation and harassment (Municipal Code 5-4-105). Third, it lets tenants seek civil damages or injunctive relief in court. Fourth, section 5-4-104 authorizes the City Attorney to seek an injunction when the no-fault protections are violated.

The city’s FAQ dates the main regulations to a July 30, 2024 council vote and an August 31, 2024 effective date. A March 11, 2025 amendment added the move-in exemption from the higher payment and extended anti-harassment measures to all tenants in the city.

Substantial remodel and demolition: extra steps

Burbank’s September 2023 urgency ordinance added requirements when an owner ends a tenancy to demolish or substantially remodel.

The owner must secure building, demolition or abatement permits, make any required plan check submittal, give the tenant copies of the permits, and provide a written, detailed scope of work that explains why the work cannot be done safely with the tenant in place and why it cannot be finished within 30 days.

The state definition of substantial remodel requires replacing or substantially modifying a structural, electrical, plumbing or mechanical system that needs a permit, or abating hazardous materials, and requires the tenant to leave for at least 30 days. Cosmetic work does not qualify.

A notice that fails these requirements is void and the failure is an affirmative defense in an eviction case.

The notice must also include the statutory re-rent language, a description of the work and its expected duration or demolition date, a copy of permits or the contractor contract, a prompt for the tenant to share contact details if interested in returning, and the relocation amount.

Covered and exempt Burbank rentals

The city’s FAQ lists the same exemptions that apply under state law.

They include a single-family home, condominium or mobile home whose owner is not a real estate investment trust, a corporation or an LLC with a corporate member, and who gave the tenant the written exemption notice; units with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years; one unit of a duplex where the owner lives in the other for the entire tenancy; owner-occupied single-family homes renting no more than two bedrooms or units, including ADUs and junior ADUs; shared-facility rentals where the owner lives on site; certain nonprofit hospital, religious and care facilities; hotels; school dormitories; and deed-restricted affordable units.

If an owner relied on an exemption, confirm that the written notice was actually delivered.

Notices, timing and just cause

State law requires a just cause statement in the written notice once a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months, or 24 months if there are several tenants and at least one has lived there that long.

At-fault terminations follow ordinary notice rules: three-day notices for nonpayment must state the exact amount due, and a periodic tenancy generally ends with a 30-day, 60-day or sometimes 90-day written notice.

Burbank requires a just cause reason in the notice for all no-fault evictions under Municipal Code 5-4-103, and a notice that does not offer the required relocation assistance is void.

What this means if you want to sell a Burbank rental

Buyers take the property subject to its tenants and any compliance gaps. If you are considering a no-fault move-out to sell vacant, add up the relocation payments, the permit steps for a remodel, and the timing risk.

A cash buyer can purchase a Burbank rental as-is with the tenants in place and no relocation payment from you. Compare your options in our guides to selling a house with tenants in Burbank, selling a rental property in Burbank and the Burbank housing report.

Does the unit fall under the state Tenant Protection Act or an exemption, and was exemption notice given?
Is each past rent increase within the state cap and properly noticed?
Does any planned termination qualify as just cause, and is relocation calculated at one or three months?
For a remodel, are permits and the written scope in hand?

The statewide baseline under Burbank rules

California’s Tenant Protection Act (Civil Code sections 1946.2 and 1947.12) caps annual rent increases at 5 percent plus the change in the cost of living, with a maximum of 10 percent, and requires just cause to end most tenancies after the first year.

The Attorney General’s consumer alert says the cap applies to most rental housing more than 15 years old and that a stronger local law controls where one applies. Our statewide guide to selling a tenant-occupied home explains how these protections interact with a sale.

How to sell a house in Burbank

Confirm whether the unit is covered by the state Tenant Protection Act or exempt.
Collect the lease, rent history and notices served.
Request a no-obligation cash offer for the property as it stands.
Choose your closing date.
Close with no repairs, showings or tenant move-out required.

See also our Burbank page and the Los Angeles County hub.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Burbank have rent control?

Not a city rent cap. The statewide Tenant Protection Act limits increases on covered units, and Burbank adds its own tenant protection ordinance.

How much relocation assistance does Burbank require?

At least three months of the tenant’s current rent for most no-fault terminations, and at least one month for a qualifying owner or relative move-in.

When did Burbank’s tenant protection ordinance start?

The urgency ordinance was adopted September 12, 2023. The city’s FAQ says the later regulations took effect August 31, 2024, and Ordinance No. 25-4,025 took effect April 11, 2025.

What is a substantial remodel in Burbank?

Work that requires the tenant to vacate for at least 30 days, such as replacing structural, electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems that need permits, or abating hazardous materials. Cosmetic work does not count.

Can a Burbank tenant sue for harassment or retaliation?

Yes. Municipal Code 5-4-105 allows tenants to seek damages and injunctive relief, and a violation can also be a defense to an eviction.

Can I sell a Burbank rental with a tenant in it?

Yes. The tenancy continues with the property, and a cash buyer can purchase it as-is with the tenant in place.

More guides

Sources

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules, fees and hours with the city.