Culver City enacted its Permanent Rent Control Ordinance (RCO) and Tenant Protections Ordinance (TPO) in October 2020, providing rent stabilization and eviction protections for eligible renters. Units not covered by the local ordinance may still receive statewide protections under California's AB 1482.·Updated May 2026
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Key Takeaways
Multifamily rental units built on or before February 1, 1995; single-family homes, condos, and townhomes are exempt
Annual increases tied to CPI; capped at a maximum of 3.25% for increases effective June 1–August 31, 2025
Just-cause eviction protections required under the TPO for all covered units, with relocation assistance for no-fault evictions
Culver City Rent Control Board — culvercityrentcontrol.com
Culver City is a mid-sized city in the Los Angeles Metro area, situated within Los Angeles County. Faced with rapid rent increases and displacement pressures common across the region, Culver City enacted its Permanent Rent Control Ordinance (RCO) and Tenant Protections Ordinance (TPO), which took effect on October 30, 2020. These two linked measures work together to cap rent increases for eligible renters and restrict landlords from evicting tenants without a legally recognized reason.
The RCO establishes rent stabilization for qualifying multifamily units and created the Culver City Rent Control Board to administer the program. The TPO extends just-cause eviction protections to a broader set of tenants and mandates relocation assistance for tenants displaced through no-fault evictions. Landlords are also required to register their rental units annually and pay a per-unit fee to fund program administration.
For rental units that fall outside the local ordinance — such as those built after February 1, 1995, or single-family homes — California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) serves as a backstop, limiting annual rent increases to 5% plus local CPI (capped at 10%) and requiring just-cause eviction justifications for qualifying tenants.
2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Culver City?
The Culver City RCO applies to residential rental units that meet all of the following criteria:
The unit has a certificate of occupancy issued on or before February 1, 1995
The unit is part of a multifamily residential building (two or more units)
The unit is not otherwise exempt under the ordinance or Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act
The following types of units are exempt from the local RCO:
Single-family homes and single-family residences
Condominiums, condos, and townhomes
Units with a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995
Government-subsidized rental housing (where rents are government-regulated)
Under California's Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, single-family homes and condominiums cannot be subject to local rent control regardless of when they were built. Units built after February 1, 1995 are similarly excluded from local rent control statewide.
Tenants in exempt units may still qualify for AB 1482 protections if the property is not otherwise exempt (e.g., not a single-family home where the owner has issued a required Costa-Hawkins notice). AB 1482 limits increases to 5% + local CPI (max 10%) annually and requires just-cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy.
3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases
Under the Culver City RCO, annual rent increases for covered units are tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Rent Control Board sets the allowable rent increase percentage each year based on changes in the CPI, and a maximum cap of 3.25% applies to rent increases that take effect between June 1, 2025, and August 31, 2025.
Key rules governing rent increases under the RCO include:
Landlords may only increase rent once every 12 months per tenancy
Increases must not exceed the annually published CPI-based allowable percentage, subject to the stated cap
Banked increases: Landlords who forgo an allowable increase in a given year may not carry forward unused increases to future years
Capital improvement pass-throughs: Landlords may petition the Rent Control Board for additional rent increases to recover costs of qualifying capital improvements approved by the Board
Landlords must provide proper written notice of any rent increase as required by California law (30 or 90 days depending on the size of the increase)
The Board publishes the current allowable increase each year. Tenants who believe their landlord has exceeded the allowable cap may file a petition with the Culver City Rent Control Board.
4. Just Cause Eviction Protections
The Culver City Tenant Protections Ordinance (TPO) requires landlords to have a legally recognized just-cause reason before evicting a covered tenant. Just-cause protections apply to tenants who have continuously and lawfully occupied their unit.
At-fault just-cause reasons (tenant is responsible):
Nonpayment of rent
Breach of a material lease term after written notice
Causing or permitting a nuisance
Unauthorized subletting or assignment of the unit
Criminal activity on the premises that affects health or safety
Refusal to sign a substantially similar renewal lease
Refusal to provide lawful access to the unit
No-fault just-cause reasons (tenant is not at fault):
Owner move-in (landlord, spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child intends to occupy as primary residence)
Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market (Ellis Act)
Substantial rehabilitation or demolition requiring the unit to be vacated
Government order requiring the tenant to vacate
Relocation assistance is required for all no-fault evictions. The amount varies based on the reason for eviction but is generally calculated as a multiple of the tenant's monthly rent. Landlords who invoke owner move-in must occupy the unit for a minimum period and are prohibited from re-renting at a higher rate for a specified time.
AB 1482 provides parallel just-cause eviction protections for tenants in exempt-from-local-RC units who have resided in the unit for 12 or more months, but Culver City's TPO may provide broader or stronger protections for covered tenants.
5. Local Rules and Special Protections
The Culver City Rent Control Board was established by the RCO to administer rent stabilization and enforce the ordinance. Key administrative requirements and processes include:
Annual Registration: All landlords of covered rental units must register each unit annually with the Rent Control Board. The registration deadline is July 31 each year, and the registration fee is $167 per unit. Failure to register can affect a landlord's ability to enforce rent increases.
Rent Adjustment Petitions: Both landlords and tenants may file petitions with the Board:
Landlord petitions: For capital improvement cost recovery or hardship increases above the standard CPI cap
Tenant petitions: To challenge unlawful rent increases or to seek a rent reduction based on decreased housing services or habitability issues
Filing a Petition: Petitions can be filed through the Culver City Rent Control Board's official website or by visiting the Board's office in person. The Board provides petition forms and instructions for both landlords and tenants.
Anti-Harassment Provisions: The TPO includes anti-harassment protections prohibiting landlords from interfering with a tenant's right to peaceful enjoyment of their unit, retaliating against tenants who assert their rights, or attempting to coerce tenants into vacating through unlawful means. Tenants who experience harassment may file a complaint with the Board or pursue legal remedies.
Rent Registry: All registered units are maintained in the City's rent registry, which tracks base rents and ownership information. Tenants can contact the Board to verify their unit's registration status.
6. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources
Use RentCheckMe's address checker to look up whether your Culver City address is covered by the local RCO — enter your address to see your unit's coverage status and applicable protections.
The Culver City Rent Control Board is the primary resource for all questions about the RCO and TPO. Visit culvercityrentcontrol.com to access petition forms, registration information, the current allowable rent increase, and Board meeting schedules.
Bet Tzedek Legal Services — Free legal aid including tenant rights matters for LA County residents; offers advice clinics and direct representation.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization; provides resources, referrals, and tenant education statewide.
Housing Is Key — California's statewide housing assistance hub; call 833-430-2122 for information on renter protections and assistance programs.
7. Resources for Culver City Tenants
Culver City Rent Control Board — Official source for RCO and TPO information, petition forms, unit registration, and current allowable rent increase percentages.
Bet Tzedek Legal Services — Free legal aid including tenant rights matters for LA County residents; offers clinics and direct representation.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization providing resources, referrals, and tenant education.
Housing Is Key — California's statewide housing assistance hub; call 833-430-2122 for renter protections and assistance program information.
8. Important Disclaimer
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws and local ordinances can change, and the information here may not reflect the most recent amendments or Board determinations. For the most current information about your rights under the Culver City RCO or TPO, contact the Culver City Rent Control Board directly. If you need legal advice about a specific situation, consult a qualified attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Yes. Culver City enacted its Permanent Rent Control Ordinance (RCO) and Tenant Protections Ordinance (TPO), both effective October 30, 2020. The RCO caps annual rent increases for eligible multifamily units at a CPI-based percentage, while the TPO requires just-cause eviction justifications and mandates relocation assistance for no-fault evictions. Units not covered by the local ordinance may qualify for statewide protections under AB 1482.
What is the rent increase cap in Culver City?
Under the Culver City RCO, annual rent increases for covered units are tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and set each year by the Rent Control Board. For rent increases taking effect between June 1, 2025, and August 31, 2025, the maximum allowable increase is 3.25%. Landlords may only raise rent once every 12 months per tenancy and cannot exceed the Board's published annual cap.
Is my unit covered by Culver City's rent control ordinance?
Your unit is likely covered if it is in a multifamily building with a certificate of occupancy issued on or before February 1, 1995. Units built after that date, single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes are exempt from the local RCO under Costa-Hawkins and the ordinance's own exemptions. If your unit is exempt from the local ordinance, you may still have protections under California's AB 1482 — use RentCheckMe's address checker to look up your specific unit.
Can my landlord evict me without just cause in Culver City?
No, not for tenants covered by the Culver City Tenant Protections Ordinance (TPO). Landlords must have a recognized at-fault reason (such as nonpayment of rent or lease violation) or a no-fault reason (such as owner move-in or Ellis Act withdrawal) to evict a covered tenant. No-fault evictions also require the landlord to pay relocation assistance. Tenants in units exempt from the local TPO may still have just-cause protections under AB 1482 after residing in the unit for 12 or more months.
How do I contact the Culver City Rent Board?
The Culver City Rent Control Board can be reached through its official website at culvercityrentcontrol.com, where you can access petition forms, registration information, and the current allowable rent increase percentage. You can also contact the Board by phone or visit in person at Culver City City Hall. The Board handles tenant and landlord petitions, unit registration questions, and complaints about ordinance violations.
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