California Rent Control Laws: Guide for Landlords

California Rent Control Laws: The Complete 2026 Guide

Understanding California's statewide rent control (AB 1482), local ordinances, exemptions, and rent increase limits. A comprehensive guide for landlords navigating California's rent regulations.

Updated January 2026

14 min read

The Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482)

AB 1482, effective January 1, 2020 and extended through 2030, establishes statewide rent control for most California residential properties.

Rent Increase Limits

For covered properties, annual rent increases are capped at 5% plus local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10% regardless of CPI. This limit applies to increases over any 12-month period—landlords cannot circumvent the cap through multiple smaller increases.

Example: If local CPI is 4%, maximum increase is 9% (5% + 4%). If local CPI is 8%, maximum increase is still 10% (the cap).

Just Cause Eviction

AB 1482 also requires "just cause" for evictions after 12 months of tenancy. Landlords cannot simply choose not to renew leases without one of the specified at-fault or no-fault reasons. No-fault evictions require payment of one month's rent as relocation assistance.

Exemptions from AB 1482

Several property types are exempt from AB 1482's provisions:

Single-family homes and condos where the owner is not a corporation or REIT, and proper written notice of exemption is provided to tenants

New construction (properties with certificates of occupancy issued in the last 15 years)

Owner-occupied duplexes where the owner lives in one unit

Affordable housing with existing deed restrictions

Dorms and housing owned by educational institutions or nonprofits

Critical Requirement: Single-family home exemption requires written notice to tenants using specific statutory language. Failure to provide proper notice waives the exemption—your property becomes covered by AB 1482.

Local Rent Control Ordinances

Several California cities have their own rent control ordinances that may be stricter than AB 1482. If your property is in a city with local rent control, you must comply with whichever regulation is more restrictive.

Cities with local rent control include: San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Jose, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, East Palo Alto, Hayward, Richmond, and Mountain View (partial). Each city has different rules, exemptions, and registration requirements.

Rent Increase Notice Requirements

California law requires specific notice periods for rent increases. For increases of 10% or less (over 12 months), 30 days written notice is required. For increases over 10%, 90 days written notice is required. Notice must be properly served (personal delivery or mail). Notice should include the new rent amount and effective date.

Vacancy Decontrol

Under AB 1482, when a tenant voluntarily vacates or is evicted for cause, landlords may reset rent to market rate for the next tenant. This "vacancy decontrol" allows rent adjustment between tenancies. However, once a new tenant moves in, the rent cap applies to that tenant's tenancy.

Note that some local ordinances (like San Francisco's) have different vacancy decontrol rules that may limit this reset ability.

Compliance Best Practices

To stay compliant with California rent control, determine if your property is exempt (and provide proper notice if so), track local CPI to calculate maximum increases, maintain records of all rent increases and notices, verify local ordinance requirements if applicable, and calendar notice deadlines carefully.

Professional Management Advantage: Rent control compliance requires tracking multiple regulations that change annually. Professional property managers stay current on AB 1482, local ordinances, and CPI calculations—ensuring your rent increases are legal and properly noticed.

California's rent control framework is complex, with statewide and potentially local rules applying simultaneously. Non-compliance can result in tenant claims for excess rent collected, penalties, and attorney fees. When in doubt, consult with an attorney familiar with California rent control before implementing increases.