Rent Increase Rules in California: Varies by region. Per CA DOJ (2026)

Quick answer

Yes — California caps annual rent increases. California caps annual rent increases statewide at 5% plus the regional cost of inflation, with an absolute maximum of 10%, for most housing more than 15 years old (Tenant Protection Act / AB 1482). Current regional maximums (8/1/2025-7/31/2026): Los Angeles Area 8.0%, Riverside Area 7.5%, San Diego Area 8.8%, San Francisco Area 6.3%, all other counties 7.7%.

The cap formula

Annual increase cap = 5% + percentage change in the regional cost of inflation (April CPI-U for the Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco and San Diego areas per BLS; other counties use April CPI data from the California Department of Industrial Relations), capped at 10% for any 12-month period (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)).

For the current period, that works out to Varies by region. Per CA DOJ page (checked 2026-10-28), for 8/1/2025-7/31/2026: Los Angeles Area 8%; Riverside Area 7.5%; San Diego Area 8.8%; San Francisco Area 6.3%; all other counties 7.7%..

Who is exempt

Housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years; single-family homes/condominiums (separately alienable title) unless the owner is a REIT, a corporation, or an LLC with a corporate member - these owners must give tenants the statutory written notice that the property is exempt (Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(5)); owner-occupied duplexes where the owner resided there at tenancy start and continues to occupy (d)(6); dormitories, school-owned, hospital and similar institutional housing (d)(1)-(4). Landlords may set a new initial rent at vacancy. Stricter local ordinances prevail where lower.

Notice requirements

Advance written notice: at least 30 days if the increase (alone or combined with increases in the prior 12 months) is 10% or less; at least 90 days if greater than 10% (Civ. Code § 827(b)).

Local rules that go further

Cities/counties with stricter rent control (e.g., San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles) override the state cap where the local limit is lower (per CA DOJ, citing Civ. Code § 1954.53 framework).

How California's cap compares

Only a handful of states cap annual rent increases statewide. Current-period caps side by side:

FAQ

What is the maximum rent increase in California?

Annual increase cap = 5% + percentage change in the regional cost of inflation (April CPI-U for the Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco and San Diego areas per BLS; other counties use April CPI data from the California Department of Industrial Relations), capped at 10% for any 12-month period (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)). For the current period that works out to Varies by region. Per CA DOJ page (checked 2026-10-28), for 8/1/2025-7/31/2026: Los Angeles Area 8%; Riverside Area 7.5%; San Diego Area 8.8%; San Francisco Area 6.3%; all other counties 7.7%. Exemptions apply — see the exemptions section.

How much notice does my landlord have to give?

Advance written notice: at least 30 days if the increase (alone or combined with increases in the prior 12 months) is 10% or less; at least 90 days if greater than 10% (Civ. Code § 827(b)).

Does the cap apply to every rental?

No — Housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years; single-family homes/condominiums (separately alienable title) unless the owner is a REIT, a corporation, or an LLC with a corporate member - these owners must give tenants the statutory written notice that the property is exempt (Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(5)); owner-occupied duplexes where the owner resided there at tenancy start and continues to occupy (d)(6); dormitories, school-owned, hospital and similar institutional housing (d)(1)-(4). Landlords may set a new initial rent at vacancy. Stricter local ordinances prevail where lower.

The statute behind it

| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (rent cap; Tenant Protection Act of 2019, AB 1482); companion just-cause statute Civ. Code § 1946.2; notice: Civ. Code § 827. | | Official text | oag.ca.gov | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |

Related guides

• All states: security deposit interest by state · rent increase rules by state
• Tools: deposit interest calculator · rent increase calculator
• Neighboring states: District of Columbia · Minnesota
• Also moving? Read California security deposit interest rules.

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