Sacramento tenants are now protected from Coronavirus/COVID-19 financial impacts after the Sacramento City Council unanimously adopted an emergency eviction moratorium. Already in effect, the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium protects tenants who have been impacted by the pandemic.

What Evictions Does the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Prohibit?

The Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium prohibits evictions due to nonpayment of rent during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency. Sacramento City Code § 5.156.090(D).

How Do Sacramento Tenants Gain Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Eviction Protections?

To qualify for the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium, Sacramento tenants must:

  1. Demonstrate that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 has impacted their ability to pay rent;
  2. Preemptively notify their landlord in writing of income disruption and inability to pay rent with attached documentation; and,
  3. Pay any portion of rent that the tenant can pay.Sacramento City Code § 5.156.090(D)(4).

What Coronavirus/COVID-19 Impacts Are Covered Under the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium?

 Under the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium, covered impacts include a tenant’s loss of income due to:

  1. The tenant contracting Coronavirus/COVID-19;
  2. The tenant caring for a household or family member sick with Coronavirus/COVID-19;
  3. The tenant suffering layoff, job loss, loss of hours, or other income reduction resulting from Coronavirus/COVID-19 or the state of emergency;
  4. The tenant’s compliance with a government stay home, self-quarantine order; and,
  5. The tenant’s need to miss work to care for a home-bound school-aged child. Sacramento City Code § 5.156.090(D)(3).

What Documents Can Sacramento Tenants Provide Their Landlord to Qualify for the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium?

 Permissible supporting documents likely include employer letters citing the Coronavirus/COVID-19 as a reason for adverse impact, paystubs from before and after the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, or bank statements showing the tenants financial position before and after the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, or letters from a home-bound child’s school providing notice of closure due to Coronavirus/COVID-19.

How is a Landlord Restricted Once A Tenant Qualifies for the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium?

 Once a tenant qualifies for the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium, the landlord is prohibited from serving a notice to pay rent or quit, filing and prosecuting an evictions action, or otherwise endeavor to evict the tenant for nonpayment of rent.  Sacramento City Code § 5.156.090(D)(5).

How Long Do Sacramento Tenants Have to Repay Rent Suspended Due to the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium?

After the Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency ceases, Sacramento tenants have 120 days to pay any unpaid rent.

What Other California Cities Are Passing Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratoriums?

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

Click here to read the unabridged Sacramento Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium.

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