Rent increase rules in California
Verified against Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (cap); § 827(b) (notice) and agency sources on 2026-07-04. Not legal advice.
California caps annual rent increases.
- Cap formula: 5% + regional CPI, max 10%, whichever is lower (AB 1482, Tenant Protection Act of 2019)
- Cap exemptions: Housing built within last 15 years; single-family homes/condos not owned by corporations, REITs, or LLCs (with required exemption notice to tenant); owner-occupied duplexes; units already under stricter local rent control
- Notice: 30 days' written notice if total increase over 12 months is 10% or less; 90 days if more than 10% (Civ. Code § 827(b))
- Local rent control: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Santa Monica, San Jose
- Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (cap); § 827(b) (notice) · source
Current max varies by region (April-to-April regional CPI-U, applied Aug 1-Jul 31): e.g., for Aug 2025-Jul 2026 Los Angeles area is 8.0%, SF-Oakland-Hayward is 6.3%. Local ordinances can be stricter (e.g., LA RSO ~3%, Oakland/Berkeley ~1%).
Rent increase calculator
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Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord raise rent in California?
California caps annual rent increases (5% + regional CPI, max 10%, whichever is lower (AB 1482, Tenant Protection Act of 2019)). Exemptions: Housing built within last 15 years; single-family homes/condos not owned by corporations, REITs, or LLCs (with required exemption notice to tenant); owner-occupied duplexes; units already under stricter local rent control. (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (cap); § 827(b) (notice))
How much notice is required for a rent increase in California?
30 days' written notice if total increase over 12 months is 10% or less; 90 days if more than 10% (Civ. Code § 827(b)). (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (cap); § 827(b) (notice))
Can rent be raised during a lease in California?
No — as everywhere in the US, a fixed-term lease locks the rent unless the lease itself contains an escalation clause. Increases take effect at renewal or on periodic (month-to-month) tenancies with the notice above.
What changed recently in California?
Current max varies by region (April-to-April regional CPI-U, applied Aug 1-Jul 31): e.g., for Aug 2025-Jul 2026 Los Angeles area is 8.0%, SF-Oakland-Hayward is 6.3%. Local ordinances can be stricter (e.g., LA RSO ~3%, Oakland/Berkeley ~1%).
Rent increase rules in other states
All states · Colorado · District of Columbia · New Jersey · New York · Oregon · Texas · Washington
Related: deposit interest rules in California · vacancy cost calculator