Quincy in the northern Sierra Nevada, the Feather River canyon, Plumas National Forest, the 2021 Dixie Fire, extreme mountain winters, and a timber-and-recreation economy where AB 1482 applies with no standalone MSA CPI
📍 County Seat: Quincy — Plumas County Superior Court 👥 ~18K residents — California’s 49th most populous county ⚖️ Superior Court • 520 Main St, Quincy, CA 95971
Plumas County occupies the northern Sierra Nevada between Lassen County to the north, Sierra County to the south, Butte County to the west, and Nevada state to the east. The county seat is Quincy, a mountain community at roughly 3,400 feet in the American Valley. The Feather River canyon cuts through the county in dramatic terrain that carries Highway 70 and a Union Pacific railroad line. Plumas National Forest covers most of the county’s terrain. Population is roughly 18,000 — among California’s smallest.
Plumas County’s rental market is shaped by its mountain character: timber (much reduced), outdoor recreation, tourism, county government, and healthcare. The 2021 Dixie Fire — California’s largest single wildfire in recorded history — burned extensively through the county. Extreme winter weather (Quincy averages 65+ inches of snow annually) creates habitability obligations that differ from most California counties. No rent control; AB 1482; no standalone MSA CPI.
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Quincy
Population
~18K
Top Employers
Plumas District Hospital, county government, Feather River College, timber/logging (diminished), recreation/tourism, retail/service
Median Rent
~$800–$1,100/mo; very limited inventory
County-Wide Rent Control
None — AB 1482 is the primary framework
AB 1482 CPI Index
No standalone MSA — verify applicable BLS index before any rent increase
Penal Code § 396: 10% cap during declared emergencies
Security Deposit Cap
1 month’s rent (Civil Code § 1950.5)
Deposit Return
21 calendar days with itemized statement
Court Filing
Plumas County Superior Court — 520 Main St, Quincy, CA 95971
Plumas County — State Law & Local Highlights
Topic
Rule / Notes
AB 1482 Coverage & CPI Index
Most Plumas County rental housing built before 2010 and not otherwise exempt is subject to AB 1482’s 5%+CPI rent cap (max 10%) and just-cause eviction after 12 months. Plumas County has no standalone BLS MSA. Verify the applicable CPI index with HCD guidance or a licensed California attorney before any AB 1482 rent increase. Key exemptions: units built within 15 years, SFRs/condos not owned by corporations/REITs (written notice required), owner-occupied duplexes. AB 1482 expires January 1, 2030.
No Local Rent Control
No rent control in Plumas County or any city within it as of early 2026. AB 1482 is the sole regulatory framework for eligible units throughout the county.
🔥 2021 Dixie Fire
The 2021 Dixie Fire was California’s largest single wildfire in recorded history, burning nearly one million acres across Plumas, Lassen, Butte, Shasta, and Tehama counties. In Plumas County, the fire destroyed the communities of Greenville and Crescent Mills and burned extensively through the surrounding terrain. State of emergency declarations activated Penal Code § 396 price gouging restrictions and Civil Code § 1941.8 disaster remediation obligations. Properties in fire-affected areas have ongoing habitability assessment obligations.
Extreme Winter Habitability
Quincy averages more than 65 inches of snow annually; higher elevation communities receive substantially more. Functional heating is a critical habitability requirement in Plumas County’s mountain climate. Weatherproofing, insulation, and snow load management are essential maintenance considerations. Inspect and confirm heating systems are operational before the snow season begins each October. Respond immediately to heating failure reports — winter temperatures make a heating outage a safety emergency, not a routine maintenance request.
Wildfire Risk & Insurance
Plumas County’s heavily forested terrain places most residential properties in high or very high fire hazard severity zones. The Dixie Fire compounded a severe insurance market deterioration. Major carriers have largely withdrawn; FAIR Plan reliance is widespread. Verify fire insurance coverage annually. FAIR Plan plus DIC supplemental coverage is the standard approach for high-risk properties. Properties without adequate fire insurance face extreme uninsured loss risk.
SFR Exemption & Deposit Cap
SFR/condo exemption from AB 1482 requires written notice in every eligible lease. Security deposit capped at 1 month’s rent (Civil Code § 1950.5; eff. July 1, 2024). Return within 21 days with itemized statement.
Last verified: March 2026
🏛️ Courthouse Finder
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for California
Loading courthouse data
Coming Soon
Courthouse data for California is being compiled. Check back soon!
AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) requires just cause for evictions of tenants in place 12+ months. 3-day notice can only include rent - no late fees, utilities, or other charges. AB 2347 (eff. Jan 2025/2026) doubled tenant response time from 5 to 10 business days. Notice excludes weekends and court holidays.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Superior Court (Unlawful Detainer). Pay the filing fee (~$385-435).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about California eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified California attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
California landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in California —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need California's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
Generate California-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to California requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
CPI index verification: No standalone MSA. Verify applicable BLS index with HCD or an attorney before any AB 1482 rent increase. Document the source.
Plumas District Hospital & government workers: Stable W-2 income. Standard qualification. Most reliable income profiles in the county.
Recreation and tourism workers: Annual W-2 or tax return for seasonal workers. Summer recreation peak; annual documentation gives the full-year income picture.
Dixie Fire displaced residents: Some tenants are fire survivors from Greenville or Crescent Mills. Insurance proceeds, FEMA assistance, and recovery grants are verifiable income sources. Evaluate consistently with other income types.
Winter habitability: Inspect heating systems before winter season. Respond immediately to heating failures. Weatherproofing inspection recommended annually in early fall.
Wildfire insurance: Annual coverage verification is essential. FAIR Plan + DIC supplemental is the standard approach for forested properties.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Plumas County Landlord-Tenant Law: The Dixie Fire, Mountain Winters, and California’s Most Forested Small County
Plumas County is defined by superlatives of a particular kind: it is one of the most heavily forested counties in California, receives among the most snowfall of any California county seat, and in 2021 became the origin point for the Dixie Fire — California’s largest single wildfire in recorded history. For landlords, these facts translate into two operational realities that are largely absent from most California landlord guidance: the winter habitability standard that mountain communities require, and the wildfire disaster law obligations that the Dixie Fire activated.
The Dixie Fire’s Lasting Obligations
The Dixie Fire ignited in Feather River Canyon in July 2021 and burned for more than two months, ultimately consuming nearly one million acres. In Plumas County, the fire destroyed Greenville and Crescent Mills and burned extensively through the national forest surrounding them. State of emergency declarations activated Penal Code § 396’s price gouging restrictions and Civil Code § 1941.8’s disaster remediation obligations for landlords of affected properties. These obligations remain relevant for properties in the fire zone that survived the fire, were subsequently rebuilt, or sustained smoke and ash contamination during the emergency period. Landlords with properties in western Plumas County’s fire corridor should consult an attorney about their specific § 1941.8 obligations.
Mountain Winter as a Habitability Standard
Quincy’s 65+ inches of annual snowfall is not an inconvenience — it is a defining physical reality of life in the American Valley, and it creates landlord habitability obligations that go beyond what most California rental guidance addresses. Functional heating is not optional in Plumas County; it is essential. The practical approach is to confirm heating system functionality every October before the snow season begins, respond to heating failures with immediate urgency, and ensure weatherproofing and insulation are adequate to retain heat through the coldest nights. A heating failure in a Plumas County rental unit in January is a life-safety matter.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Plumas County has no standalone BLS MSA — verify the applicable CPI index for AB 1482 with HCD guidance or a licensed attorney. Civil Code § 1941.8 applies to Dixie Fire-affected properties; Penal Code § 396 applies during declared emergencies. No local rent control as of early 2026. Unlawful detainer filed at Plumas County Superior Court, 520 Main St, Quincy, CA 95971. Security deposit cap: 1 month’s rent (effective July 1, 2024). AB 1482 expires January 1, 2030. Consult a licensed California attorney. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Plumas County has no standalone BLS MSA — verify the applicable CPI index for AB 1482 with HCD guidance or a licensed attorney before any rent increase. No local rent control as of early 2026. Unlawful detainer filed at Plumas County Superior Court, 520 Main St, Quincy, CA 95971. Security deposit cap: 1 month’s rent (effective July 1, 2024). AB 1482 rent cap: 5%+CPI (verify index), max 10%. Just cause after 12 months. Expires January 1, 2030. Consult a licensed California attorney. Last updated: March 2026.
