Rent Control in East Palo Alto

Last updated: January 2026

Local rent control plus California's AB 1482 tenant protections.

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Key Takeaways

Coverage: Units with certificate of occupancy on or before January 1, 1988 are covered. Not applicable to Section 8 or buildings with 3 or fewer units where owner resides in one.
Rent Increase Cap: 2.2% Annual General Adjustment for July 2025 - June 2026 (80% of CPI, max 10%). Landlords can bank up to 3 AGAs during a tenancy.
Just Cause Protection: Required under East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization for all covered units.
Local Help: East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Board sets annual adjustments and handles petitions.

1. Overview of Rent Control in East Palo Alto

The City of East Palo Alto has a Rent Stabilization and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance that was enacted in 2010. The ordinance aims to protect tenants from unreasonable rent increases and arbitrary evictions while ensuring landlords receive a fair return on their investment.

The ordinance applies to most residential rental units in East Palo Alto, regardless of construction year, making it one of the more comprehensive local rent control ordinances in California.

Since January 1, 2020, California's statewide rent law (often called state rent control or AB 1482) also protects many units that are not covered by East Palo Alto's local ordinance. For those units, annual rent increases are generally capped at 5% + inflation (CPI), or 10%, whichever is lower, for tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months.

This article is a high‑level guide based on public resources such as the City of East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization and the East Palo Alto Municipal Code. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in East Palo Alto?

East Palo Alto's Rent Stabilization and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance applies to most residential rental units in East Palo Alto, regardless of when they were built. This is different from many other rent control ordinances that only apply to older buildings.

Exemptions:

Single-family homes – Single-family homes are exempt from the ordinance under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).
Condominiums – Condominiums are exempt from the ordinance under Costa-Hawkins, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.
Transient occupancy accommodations – Hotels and motels occupied by the same tenant for less than 30 continuous days are exempt.
Care facilities – Housing in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and nonprofit homes for the aged are exempt.
Nonprofit cooperative housing – Nonprofit cooperatives owned and controlled by a majority of residents are exempt.
Units exempted by state or federal law – Units that are exempt under state or federal law are exempt from the ordinance.
Units where landlord shares facilities – Units within a dwelling where the landlord shares bathroom or kitchen facilities with the tenant are exempt.

Tools like RentCheckMe can help you check whether your building is likely covered based on its property type. However, note that the ordinance applies broadly to most residential rental units regardless of construction year.

3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases

The Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) is the highest rent a landlord can charge for a regulated unit. It is calculated based on the base year rent, adjusted for Annual General Adjustments (AGAs).

Key rules:

Landlords must not charge rent exceeding the MAR.
The MAR is calculated based on the base year rent, which is typically the rent in effect when the ordinance was first applied to the unit or when the tenant first moved in.
The MAR increases each year by the AGA percentage.

If you believe your landlord is charging more than the MAR, you can file a petition with the Rent Stabilization Program to have your rent reviewed.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

The ordinance provides just cause eviction protections, requiring landlords to have a valid reason, or "just cause," to evict tenants. This helps protect tenants from arbitrary, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions.

Just cause reasons include:

Non-payment of rent
Breach of lease terms
Nuisance behavior
Owner move-in
Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market
Other reasons specified in the ordinance

Filing requirement: If serving a tenant with a termination notice or eviction lawsuit, landlords must file a copy with the Rent Stabilization Program within five days. This helps ensure that evictions are properly documented and that tenants have access to information about their rights.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the City of East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization and the East Palo Alto Municipal Code, you can get both a quick snapshot and deeper, individualized help for your situation.

After you run an address through RentCheckMe, consider:

Contacting the Rent Stabilization Program for information about the ordinance and compliance
Filing a petition if you believe your rent exceeds the Maximum Allowable Rent or if you face unjust eviction
Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization
Reviewing the East Palo Alto Municipal Code, Chapter 14.04 for detailed ordinance information

6. Resources for East Palo Alto Tenants

California Department of Consumer Affairs – Statewide tenant rights information
Housing Rights Center – Education and advocacy for tenants throughout California

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in East Palo Alto, drawn from public resources like the City of East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization and the East Palo Alto Municipal Code. It does not cover every exception or nuance and does not constitute legal advice.

Laws change, and how they apply can depend on the specific facts of your tenancy, including whether your unit falls under one of the exemptions, your base year rent, and other factors. For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the Rent Stabilization Program, a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does East Palo Alto have its own rent control ordinance?

Yes, East Palo Alto has a local rent control ordinance that provides protections beyond California's statewide AB 1482. The local ordinance typically covers more properties and may have stricter rent increase limits.

How much can my landlord raise rent in East Palo Alto?

For units covered by East Palo Alto's local ordinance, rent increases are limited by the local rules (often based on CPI). For units only covered by AB 1482, the cap is 5% + CPI or 10%, whichever is lower.

What protections do I have as a tenant in East Palo Alto?

Tenants in East Palo Alto may have just cause eviction protections under both the local ordinance and AB 1482, meaning landlords must have a valid legal reason to evict you after you've lived in the unit for a certain period.

Other Cities in California

Learn about rent control in other cities in California:

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