San Jose Mun. Code Chapter 17.23 § 17.23.1230
Scope; regulations (San Jose Apartment Rent Ordinance and Tenant Protection Ordinance)
Operative Text
A. Subject to any exceptions, additions, and clarifications included in regulations that may be adopted by the City Manager for administration of this Part, this Part applies to the following: 1. Rent Stabilized Units; 2. Rental Units in any Multiple Dwelling, excepting permitted Hotels and Motels; 3. Guest Rooms in any Guesthouse; and 4. Unpermitted Units. B. The City Manager may adopt regulations for the administration and implementation of this Part. The Director of Housing, with the approval of the City Attorney, may adopt forms and notices to facilitate the administration and implementation of this Part. C. Tenants of a unit or guestroom described in subsection A, above, shall be entitled to Just Cause Protections commencing on the first day of tenancy.
San Jose Municipal Code § 17.23.1230 establishes which rental units fall under the just cause eviction protections of this Part, covering rent-stabilized units, units in multi-family dwellings (excluding permitted hotels and motels), guest rooms in guesthouses, and even unpermitted units. The City Manager is authorized to issue administrative regulations, while the Director of Housing may create related forms and notices with City Attorney approval. Tenants in any covered unit are entitled to just cause protections beginning on the very first day of their tenancy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 17.23.1230, property owners operating multi-family dwellings, guesthouses, or rent-stabilized units in San Jose should be aware that just cause protections attach to tenants from day one of occupancy, with no waiting period. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with any administrative regulations the City Manager has issued under this Part, as well as official forms and notices published by the Director of Housing. Notably, the provision extends coverage to unpermitted units, so the legal status of a unit does not remove a tenant's protections under this Part.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 17.23.1230 of the San Jose Municipal Code provides that just cause eviction protections begin on the first day of tenancy for anyone renting a covered unit, including units in multi-family buildings, guestrooms in guesthouses, and even unpermitted units. Tenants who believe a landlord has not honored these protections may raise a violation as a defense in eviction proceedings or file a complaint with the City of San Jose's Housing Department. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with San Jose's rent regulations can help explain what options are generally available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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