Antioch
Antioch Tenant Rights Attorney
One of the East Bay's strongest tenant protection ordinances.
At a glance
Rent cap
Tied to CPI; annual adjustment set by the City
Just cause required
Yes — before any termination of covered tenancy
Relocation assistance
Required for no-fault evictions
Attorney fees
Yes — available in wrongful eviction actions
Effective date
January 2021
Overview
Antioch passed Measure L in November 2020, establishing one of the most protective local tenant ordinances in the East Bay. Effective 2021, Antioch's Rent Stabilization and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance provides both rent control and mandatory just cause eviction protections for a significant portion of the city's rental housing. Antioch has one of the higher concentrations of long-term renters in Contra Costa County, and Bowlay Law regularly receives calls from Antioch tenants facing unlawful evictions.
What units and tenancies are covered
Antioch's ordinance covers residential rental units in multifamily buildings built before the effective date of the ordinance. Single-family homes, condominiums, and certain other property types may be exempt. The ordinance is designed to protect long-term tenants in Antioch's substantial stock of older rental housing.
Rent cap
Annual rent increases for covered units are capped and tied to the Consumer Price Index. Landlords may not increase rent beyond the allowable adjustment without a petition process. The ordinance is designed to keep rents affordable for long-term tenants while allowing for reasonable adjustments.
Just cause for eviction
Covered Antioch tenants may only be evicted for a valid just cause, similar to the framework used by other California cities. Just causes include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, nuisance, criminal activity, owner move-in, substantial renovation, and Ellis Act withdrawal. The ordinance's just cause requirements make it significantly harder for landlords to remove long-term tenants without legitimate reason.
Available damages
Antioch tenants who are wrongfully evicted may pursue claims for actual damages, attorney fees, and potentially enhanced damages depending on the circumstances. The ordinance provides meaningful enforcement tools for tenants.
Relocation assistance
The Antioch ordinance requires relocation assistance for tenants displaced through no-fault evictions. Amounts are set by the City and vary based on the type of eviction and tenant circumstances.
What is exempt
- ✕Single-family homes (may be covered by TPA depending on age and notice)
- ✕Condominiums and townhomes sold separately with proper notice
- ✕Units built on or after the effective date of the ordinance
- ✕Duplexes where the owner occupies one of the units (in some circumstances)
- ✕Certain subsidized affordable housing units
Interaction with the California Tenant Protection Act
For Antioch units not covered by Measure L (e.g., newer units or exempt property types), AB 1482 (TPA) may still apply if the unit is more than 15 years old and otherwise qualifies. In those cases, statewide just cause and rent cap protections provide a baseline.
Learn more about the statewide TPA →Why Antioch cases can be strong
Antioch is unique in the East Bay: it has strong local protections, a large tenant population that includes many long-term renters with below-market rents, and historically has not been heavily litigated — meaning landlords sometimes move forward with unlawful evictions without expecting pushback. Bowlay Law has experience with Antioch cases and regularly helps Antioch tenants assert their rights.
Common questions — Antioch
I live in Antioch and got a notice to vacate. Do I have to leave?+
Is Antioch's ordinance as strong as SF or Oakland?+
How long has Bowlay Law been handling Antioch cases?+
Antiochtenant? Let’s talk.
If your landlord has violated the Antioch Rent Stabilization and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (Measure L), you may have a case worth pursuing. The free screening call is 15–20 minutes and costs nothing.
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