Palo Alto tenants are protected from evictions related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 income disruptions via the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance.  During the Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency, Palo Alto landlords cannot evict a tenant for non-payment of rent due to financial disruption related to Coronavirus/COVID-19.

To qualify for eviction protections, Palo Alto tenants must:

  1. Demonstrate that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 has impacted them;
  2. Provide the landlord with written notice of inability to pay rent due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 impact, with supporting documentation.

Under the Palo Alto COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance, impacts include a substantial loss in income through employment as a result of:

  1. Job loss;
  2. A reduction of compensated hours of work;
  3. Employer’s business closure;
  4. Missing work due to a minor child’s school closure; or,
  5. Other similarly-caused reasons resulting in a loss of income due to Coronavirus/COVID-19.

Supporting documentation includes, a letter from employer citing Coronavirus/COVID-19 as a reason for reduced work hours or termination, employer paycheck stubs, and bank statements.

Palo Alto tenants have up to 120 days following the expiration of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency to pay any deferred rent. Landlords may not charge or collect a late fee for deferred rent.

Palo Alto joins numerous other California cities that have, or will soon pass, Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratoriums, including San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Monica, Culver City, Stockton, Sacramento, San Diego, Alameda, Burbank, Pasadena, Vallejo, Inglewood, Glendale, El Monte, South Pasadena, Richmond, Emeryville, Ojai, and Los Angeles.

Click here to read the unabridged Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium.

If you are a Palo Alto tenant with questions about your rights under the Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium or have questions about California Rent Control (AB 1482), contact Astanehe Law to speak with a tenant attorney.