Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Related party liabilities	$ 90.2	$ 11.1
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	670,000,000	670,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	66,091,954	66,091,954
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	65,890,322	65,890,322
Essex Portfolio, L.P.
Related party liabilities	$ 90.2	$ 11.1
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | General Partner
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	66,091,954	65,890,322
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	66,091,954	65,890,322
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Limited Partner
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	2,301,653	2,305,389
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	2,301,653	2,305,389