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Richmond Relocation Ordinance
The City of Richmond Relocation Ordinance requires landlords to pay relocation payments to tenants who are required to move out of a Rental Unit due to certain circumstances. There are two categories of relocation payments: (1) Permanent Relocation and (2) Temporary Relocation.
City of Richmond Relocation Ordinance Chapter 11.102.050 - Established December 20, 2016
Permanent Relocation Payment
Permanent Relocation Payment means the payment required to be paid to a tenant by any landlord who takes action to terminate a tenancy under the following RMC 100.100.050 (Just Cause for Eviction Protections):
- Owner Move-In Eviction: When a landlord or enumerated relative seeks to recover possession of a Rental Unit in good faith for use and occupancy as their Primary Residence.
- Withdrawal from the Rental Market (Ellis Act): Provides landlords in California with a legal way to go out of the rental market business.
- Government Agency's Order to Permanently Vacate: Tenant has permanently vacated a Rental Unit in compliance with a government agency's order to vacate or due to health or safety conditions, regardless of whether the landlord served a notice to temporarily terminate the tenancy.
Amounts shown are for calendar year 2025 and shall be adjusted on January 1, 2026, based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers- San Francisco- Oakland- San Jose region).
Owner Move-In Eviction (RMC 11.100.050 (a)(6))
| Maximum Cap per Unit Type (a) (b) | Base Amount | Qualified Tenant Household Amount (c) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $4,355.81 | $4,923.76 |
| 1 Bedroom | $6,725.81 | $7,749.89 |
| 2+ Bedroom | $9,159.42 | $10,504.08 |
Withdrawal from the Rental Market (RMC 11.100.050(a)(7)) or Due to a Governmental Agency's Order for the Tenant to Vacate the Rental Unit or other Conditions Described in Section 11.102.030(c)
| Maximum Cap per Unit Type (a) (b) | Base Amount | Qualified Tenant Household Amount (c) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $8,775.23 | $10,056.28 |
| 1 Bedroom | $13,451.61 | $15,501.04 |
| 2+ Bedroom | $18,255.22 | $21,009.41 |
(a) If a Rental Unit is occupied by one Tenant, then the entire per-unit Relocation Payment shall be paid to the Tenant. If more than one Tenant occupied the Rental Unit, the total amount of the Relocation Payments shall be paid on a pro-rata share to each Eligible Tenant.
(b) The Relocation Payments will be calculated on a per Rental Unit basis, distributed on a per Eligible Tenant basis, with a maximum amount per Rental Unit as shown.
(c) "Qualified Tenant Household" means a household with a Tenant who is displaced for any reason other than the failure to pay Rent, Breach of Lease, Nuisance, or Failure to Give Access, and who is a (i) Senior Citizen, (ii) Disabled, (iii) has at least one child under the age of 18 living in the household, (iv) resides in a lower income household as that terms is defined in California Health and Safety Code, Section 50079.5 or (v) is displaced due to an Owner Move-In Eviction and the Tenant has a terminal disease as that terms is defined in California Health and Safety Code, Section 443.1(q).
2026 Richmond Relocation Temporary and Permanent Amounts Update
The Richmond Rent Program is currently unable to publish the 2026 relocation amounts. The delay is due to the federal government agencies being shut down or operating at reduced staffing levels from October 1, 2025, through November 12, 2025, and a lapse in appropriations. This impacted the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which postponed them from issuing the October 2025 CPI.
Most CPI operations, including data collection, were suspended during that time period.
Access the 2026 Relocation Announcement Flyer (click on the link to open. Available in English and Spanish)
Temporary Relocation Payment
Temporary Relocation payment means the payment required to be paid to the tenant by any landlord who takes action to temporarily terminate a tenancy under the following:
- Vacate due to Substantial Repairs: When a landlord needs to complete repairs (necessary to bring a unit into compliance) or due to a governmental order for the tenant to temporarily vacate the Rental Unit.
Amounts shown are for calendar year 2025 and shall be adjusted on January 1, 2026, based on the percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers- San Francisco- Oakland- San Francisco- San Jose region).
Substantial Repairs or Due to Tenant Vacating the Rental Unit Due to a Governmental Agency's Order for the Tenant to Vacate the Rental Unit or other conditions described in Section 11.102.030(c) of the Relocation Ordinance
| Per Diem Description | Amount | Term(a) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel or Motel | $185.86 | per day per household |
| Meal Expenses | $37.42 | per day per person |
| Laundry | $1.25 | per day per household |
| Pet Accommodations | Cat - $36.17 Dog-$64.86 | per day per animal |
(a) Applicable amounts should be paid on a weekly basis, calculated on a daily basis, at a minimum. Alternatively, the Landlord may provide comparable housing located in Richmond as provided in subsection (g) of Section 11.102.030 RMC.
Distribution of Relocation Payment to Eligible Tenants
Owner Move-In & Withdrawal from the Rental Market
When a tenant has been served with a notice to vacate the rental unit under Owner Move-In Eviction or Withdrawal from the Rental Market (RMC Section 11.100.050(a)(6) or (7), the landlord shall pay one-half (1/2) of the applicable permanent relocation payment within three business days after the tenant has informed the landlord in writing that the tenant will vacate the rental unit on the date provided in the notice terminating the tenancy.
The other half is paid within three business days after the tenant has (i) vacated the rental unit by no more than two calendar days after the date provided in the notice and (ii) removed all of the tenant's personal property from the rental unit and/or from other property of the landlord, such as a storage unit.
Temporarily Vacate due to Substantial Repairs, Governmental Agency Order to Vacate, or Vacate due to Health or Safety Conditions
When a tenant has informed the landlord in writing that the tenant has found permanent housing as provided in 11.102.030, (a), (b) or (c), the landlord shall pay the full amount of the applicable permanent relocation payment within three (3) business days thereof or within three (3) business days after the tenant has removed all of the tenant's personal property from the rental unit and/or other property of the landlord, such as a storage unit, whichever is later.
Temporary Relocation and Rent Differential Payment
A tenant who is entitled to receive temporary relocation and/or a rent differential payment as provided under Temporarily Vacate due to Substantial Repairs, Governmental Agency Order to Vacate, or Vacate due to Health or Safety Conditions, the landlord shall make such payment in the amount and as provided in the applicable City Council Resolution.
Proof of Temporary and Permanent Relocation Payment to the Richmond Rent Program
A landlord, within three (3) business days of providing a tenant with a temporary relocation payment, rent differential payment, or a permanent relocation payment, shall file with the Rent Program proof of service with the time and date when the landlord made such payment.