The RegistryCounty Record · California
Landlord–Tenant Lawyers in Santa Barbara County, California
Searching for a tenant rights lawyer in Santa Barbara County? Counsel for rentals on both sides of the lease — evictions, deposits, and habitability. This page indexes the county's landlord–tenant coverage from the State Bar of California's official roll, with identity-verification markers where available.
South Central Coast county whose 1929 Anacapa Street courthouse still hears live calendars; branch courts in Santa Maria serve the north county. Venue for most landlord–tenant matters arising in the county lies with the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, seated at Santa Barbara.
Before comparing counsel, note the clock. Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161, the governing period is unlawful detainer deadlines run in days — a three-day notice starts most non-payment cases. A tenant served with an unlawful detainer summons has ten court days to respond (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1167). Security deposits must be accounted for within 21 days of move-out (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5).
This page is the Santa Barbara County chapter of the registry's statewide record — Tenant Rights Lawyers in California collects all 58 counties.
The clock & the court
Unlawful detainer deadlines run in days — a three-day notice starts most non-payment cases.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161
A tenant served with an unlawful detainer summons has ten court days to respond (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1167). Security deposits must be accounted for within 21 days of move-out (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5).
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara.
County seat: Santa Barbara
Official court information, locations, and filing rules: www.sbcourts.org
Landlord–Tenant · Santa Barbara County roster
46 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list landlord–tenant among their practice areas with an address of record in Santa Barbara County.
The roster concentrates in Santa Barbara (31), Santa Maria (11), Lompoc (2) and Carpinteria (1).
2 are recorded as taking client work in a language other than English.
Admission years on this roster run from 1973 to 2025.
The employers most represented here are Kirk & Simas (3) and Price, Postel & Parma LLP (2).
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Landlord–Tenant questions, cited
How much can my landlord raise rent in California?
For most residential property older than 15 years, the Tenant Protection Act caps annual increases at 5% plus regional CPI, never exceeding 10% (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12). Single-family homes owned by individuals are often exempt if proper notice is given. Local ordinances in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland impose stricter caps that control when they apply.
When must a security deposit be returned in California?
Within 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions and receipts for repairs over $125 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5). Since July 2024, deposits are generally capped at one month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c), as amended by AB 12). Bad-faith retention exposes the landlord to up to twice the deposit in statutory damages.
Can my landlord evict me without cause in California?
For most tenancies of 12 months or longer, no — the Tenant Protection Act requires "just cause" for termination (Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2), either at-fault (non-payment, breach, nuisance) or no-fault (owner move-in, withdrawal from the market), with relocation assistance owed for no-fault terminations. Exempt properties and shorter tenancies follow ordinary notice rules (Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1).
What can I do if my rental is uninhabitable?
California implies a warranty of habitability in every residential lease; Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1 lists minimum standards (working plumbing, heat, weatherproofing, no vermin). After notice and a reasonable time, tenants may use the repair-and-deduct remedy up to one month's rent (Civ. Code § 1942), and retaliation for exercising these rights is prohibited for 180 days (Civ. Code § 1942.5).
How fast does an eviction case move in California?
Faster than almost any other civil case. After the notice period (often three days for non-payment, Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161), the landlord files an unlawful detainer; the tenant has ten court days to respond (§ 1167), and trial is set within about 20 days of a trial request (§ 1170.5). Tenants who wait to seek advice often lose by default before defenses are ever heard.
Legal information, not legal advice.
From the answer files
Landlord–Tenant by city in Santa Barbara County
Related counsel in Santa Barbara County
Landlord–Tenant in nearby counties
Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161 · State Bar of California licensee records · Checked: · Maintained by the California Attorney Registry from official State Bar of California records. Legal information, not legal advice.
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