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No. Bakersfield has no local rent control ordinance, and there is no city rent board or rent stabilization program. The Bakersfield Municipal Code contains no rent control chapter, and unincorporated Kern County has not adopted one either. Instead, most Bakersfield rentals are covered by California's statewide AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the regional change in CPI, up to a maximum of 10%, and requires just cause for eviction once a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months.
What actually limits rent in Bakersfield
Because there is no local ordinance, the binding rules come from California state law:
- Rent-increase cap (AB 1482): For covered units, rent can rise no more than 5% + the local CPI in any 12-month period, and never more than 10% total — whichever is lower. (California Civil Code §1947.12.)
- Just-cause eviction (AB 1482): After 12 months of occupancy, a landlord must state an allowable reason to end the tenancy, and no-fault terminations require one month's rent in relocation assistance. (California Civil Code §1946.2.)
- 12-month rule: A landlord cannot raise rent under AB 1482 until the tenant has lived in the unit for at least a year.
Which Bakersfield units are exempt from the AB 1482 cap
AB 1482 does not cover every rental. Common exemptions include:
- Most single-family homes and condos, when not owned by a corporation or REIT (and the required written exemption notice is given).
- Housing built within the last 15 years (a rolling date — a 2026 lookup excludes units first occupied after 2011).
- Owner-occupied duplexes and certain other small or specialized housing.
Exempt units have no percentage cap on increases, though landlords must still give proper written notice (30 days for increases of 10% or less, 90 days for more).
How to check your specific Bakersfield unit
Whether AB 1482 caps your rent depends on your building's age and ownership. Enter your address with the RentCheckMe address checker for an instant read on whether your unit is likely covered, then confirm with the official resources below.
Official sources
Full guide: Rent Control in Bakersfield →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bakersfield have rent control?
No. Bakersfield has no local rent control ordinance and no city rent board. Most rentals are instead covered by California's statewide AB 1482, which caps annual increases at 5% + CPI (maximum 10%) for eligible units.
What is the maximum rent increase allowed in Bakersfield in 2026?
For units covered by AB 1482, a landlord can raise rent by no more than 5% plus the regional CPI, capped at 10% total in any 12-month period. Exempt units — such as most single-family homes and housing built in the last 15 years — have no percentage cap.
Is there a Bakersfield or Kern County rent board?
No. Neither the City of Bakersfield nor Kern County operates a rent board or rent stabilization program. AB 1482 is enforced through California state law and the civil courts; local legal-aid organizations can help tenants understand their rights.
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