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Rent increase limits in California

8.1–8.8%

California limits rent increases statewide by region: 5% + local CPI change, max 10%, whichever is lower; max two increases per 12 months within the cap; sunsets 2030-01-01. Increases effective 2026-08-01 to 2027-07-31.

Written notice
30 days (90 days if the increase is over 10%)

Rent-increase rule · Cal. Civ. Code 827(b) · checked · source

Local rent control
State law limits local rent control

Cal. Civ. Code 1947.12(m); Chapter 2.7 (Costa-Hawkins) Civ. Code 1954.50 et seq. · checked · source

City caps
18 cities listed

See the list on this page

Changing in 2027

City caps at a glance

Each city is detailed below, with its period, what it covers and its source.

The rules in full

Statewide cap

AB 1482: annual increase limited to 5% + local CPI change, max 10%, on covered units; sunsets Jan 1, 2030. Aug 1 2026-Jul 31 2027 caps: LA/Orange 8.7%, Riverside/San Bernardino 8.1%, San Diego 8.2%, SF Bay (5 counties) 8.8%, rest of CA 8.6%. Next update Aug 1, 2027 (computed from April 2027 CPI; not yet known).

Written notice

Month-to-month residential: rent increase of 10% or less (cumulative over prior 12 months) needs written notice at least 30 days; more than 10% needs at least 90 days (+5 days if served by mail, CCP 1013). Delivery personally or by mail. Longer notice period in lease/regulatory agreement controls. AB 1482 caps (5%+CPI, max 10%) apply independently, so the 90-day case mainly applies to exempt units.

Local rent control

No general state preemption: 1947.12(m) says the section is not intended to expand or limit local government authority to set rent policies consistent with Chapter 2.7 (Costa-Hawkins, 1954.50 et seq., which limits scope: vacancy decontrol, post-1995 construction, SFH). Costa-Hawkins content not re-read here (leginfo 1954.52 not fetched).

Rent Increase Notice Kit

Your notice, ready to send

The free answer is general. The kit is yours: it uses your names, your address, your rents and your state's rules for California.

  • Your letter, filled in: names, address, old and new rent, ready to print or save as PDF
  • Correct notice date for your state: the earliest date the new rent can start
  • Cap check: a warning if your new rent is above the limit
  • Checklist and reminders: what to do before sending, plus calendar reminders (.ics)
  • Source links printed on the page, so you can check every rule

General information, not legal advice. Built in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us.

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Cities with their own rules

City figures come from each source below. A city cap can be lower than the state cap or work alongside it; check “applies to” for each.

Other states

Common questions

What is the maximum rent increase in California?

California has a statewide cap: 5% + local CPI change, max 10%, whichever is lower; max two increases per 12 months within the cap; sunsets 2030-01-01. Increases effective 2026-08-01 to 2027-07-31.

How much notice must a landlord give in California?

30 days (90 days if the increase is over 10%). Month-to-month residential: rent increase of 10% or less (cumulative over prior 12 months) needs written notice at least 30 days; more than 10% needs at least 90 days (+5 days if served by mail, CCP 1013). Delivery personally or by mail. Longer notice period in lease/regulatory agreement controls. AB 1482 caps (5%+CPI, max 10%) apply independently, so the 90-day case mainly applies to exempt units.

Can cities in California set their own rent caps?

State law limits local rent control. No general state preemption: 1947.12(m) says the section is not intended to expand or limit local government authority to set rent policies consistent with Chapter 2.7 (Costa-Hawkins, 1954.50 et seq., which limits scope: vacancy decontrol, post-1995 construction, SFH). Costa-Hawkins content not re-read here (leginfo 1954.52 not fetched).

Sources and dates for California

Data checked . Items marked “Unverified — check with your city/state” could not be confirmed on an official page; use the source link and ask your city or state.

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