Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	656,020,000	656,020,000
Common stock, shares issued	65,379,359	63,682,646
Common stock, shares outstanding	65,379,359	63,682,646
Series H 7.125% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Cumulative dividend rate (in hundredths)	7.125%	7.125%
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | Series H 7.125% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Cumulative dividend rate (in hundredths)	7.125%	7.125%
General Partner [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	65,379,359	63,682,646
Common stock, shares outstanding	65,379,359	63,682,646
Preferred interest, liquidation value	$ 73,750	$ 73,750
Limited Partner [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	2,214,545	2,168,158
Common stock, shares outstanding	2,214,545	2,168,158