Years out from the pandemic-era eviction moratoriums, landlords still occasionally run into old assumptions—from tenants and sometimes from landlords themselves—about protections that no longer apply. Here's what actually ended, and the few narrow places pandemic-era policy left a lasting mark.
The Statewide Moratorium Itself Has Ended
California's COVID-19 statewide eviction moratorium, along with the related rent repayment and CARES Act protections that ran through 2022, is no longer in effect. Nonpayment evictions today proceed under the normal 3-day pay-or-quit process without any COVID-specific declaration paperwork. Ordinary just-cause and rent-cap rules under AB 1482 apply as they would for any other tenancy.
Where Some Local Carryover Rules May Still Exist
A handful of cities adopted local eviction protection ordinances during the pandemic tied to a local emergency declaration rather than a fixed calendar date, and a few folded certain provisions—like expanded relocation assistance for some no-fault evictions—into permanent local law. This is uneven across the state. Landlords in cities that had aggressive pandemic-era protections should confirm with the local rent board or city attorney's office whether anything was made permanent, rather than assuming it all reverted automatically.
Rental Assistance Debt Is Mostly Resolved, But Not Always
Tenants who received emergency rental assistance during the pandemic sometimes had specific protections tied to that assistance, including eviction limits for the assisted period. The large majority of these cases have been resolved, but landlords who never fully closed out an older claim from that era should confirm the case is closed before filing an eviction touching that period.
What Hasn't Changed
- Core eviction mechanics (3-day notices, unlawful detainer filings, sheriff-executed lockouts) work the same today as before 2020
- AB 1482's rent caps and just-cause requirements were already law before the pandemic and remain independent of any COVID-specific rule
- No pandemic-related language is needed in a lease or notice today unless a specific local ordinance still requires it
Bottom Line for Landlords
- The statewide COVID eviction moratorium ended in 2022 and doesn't apply today
- A small number of local carryover rules may still exist—check with the local rent board if unsure
- Legacy rental assistance disputes are rare but not extinct
- Standard eviction procedure applies unless a specific local ordinance says otherwise
FAQ
Is California's statewide COVID eviction moratorium still active in 2026?
No—the statewide moratorium and its related tenant protections ended in 2022, and evictions today proceed under standard California law.
Can a tenant still claim COVID rental assistance protections today?
In most cases no, though a small number of legacy disputes tied to specific rental assistance programs from that era are still resolving, so landlords should confirm any old assistance claim is closed before filing.
Did any city keep its pandemic-era eviction rules permanently?
Some did, in limited form, folding certain provisions like expanded relocation assistance into ongoing local ordinances, while others let their rules expire entirely, so landlords should check with the specific local rent board.
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This article is for general informational purposes and isn't legal advice. If a tenant raises a COVID-era protection in your case, consult a California landlord-tenant attorney before proceeding.