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Larkspur is a small city in Marin County, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for its redwood-lined neighborhoods and ferry connections to San Francisco. As rents throughout Marin County climbed sharply in the late 2010s, Larkspur responded by enacting two complementary local protections: the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Ordinance 1067, codified at Chapter 6.20) and the Tenant Protections Ordinance (Ordinance 1068, codified at Chapter 6.30). Together, these ordinances limit how much landlords can raise rent each year and establish grounds that must be met before a tenant can be evicted.
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance caps annual rent increases at the lower of 5% plus local CPI or 7%, providing predictability for renters in covered units. The Tenant Protections Ordinance layers on just-cause eviction requirements, enhanced noticing for certain vulnerable households facing no-fault evictions, increased relocation assistance, and a right of return within 12 months for qualifying no-fault evictions. Landlords who believe the standard cap does not allow a fair return on investment may petition the city for a higher increase.
Not all Larkspur rentals fall under these local ordinances. Units excluded by Costa-Hawkins — including those built on or after February 1, 1995, single-family homes, and condominiums — are not covered locally. However, many of those units may still be protected by California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which applies a separate rent cap of 5% + CPI (capped at 10%) and just-cause eviction requirements to eligible properties statewide.
The Larkspur Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Ordinance 1067, Chapter 6.20) covers residential rental units that meet all of the following criteria:
The following property types are exempt from Larkspur's local rent stabilization:
If your unit is exempt from Larkspur's local ordinance, you may still be protected by AB 1482, California's statewide Tenant Protection Act. AB 1482 applies to most residential rentals statewide if the property is at least 15 years old, is not a single-family home or condo sold to an owner-occupant, and is not subject to a local ordinance that provides stronger protections. Under AB 1482, annual rent increases are capped at 5% + CPI, not to exceed 10%, and just-cause eviction requirements apply after 12 months of tenancy.
Under the Larkspur Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Ordinance 1067, Chapter 6.20), a landlord may not increase rent for a covered unit by more than the following in any 12-month period:
This means the effective cap fluctuates with inflation but is never permitted to exceed 7% in a given year. In low-inflation years, the cap will be closer to 5%; in higher-inflation years, the 7% ceiling applies. Landlords must track the applicable CPI figure for the relevant measurement period when calculating a permissible increase.
Fair Rate of Return Petitions: If a landlord believes the standard cap prevents a reasonable return on their investment, they may petition the city to authorize a rent increase beyond the standard formula. The ordinance permits increases up to the maximum allowed by state law in approved fair-return cases. Tenants have the right to participate in and respond to such petitions.
Banked Increases: The ordinance does not expressly authorize landlords to bank unused annual increases and apply them in a later year. Landlords should consult the City of Larkspur directly to confirm current rules on this point.
Landlords must provide proper written notice of any rent increase — at least 30 days for increases of 10% or less, and 90 days for increases above 10% — as required by California Civil Code.
The Larkspur Tenant Protections Ordinance (Ordinance 1068, Chapter 6.30) requires landlords to have a recognized just-cause reason before terminating a tenancy in covered units. Just-cause grounds are divided into at-fault and no-fault categories.
At-Fault Just-Cause Reasons (tenant is responsible):
No-Fault Just-Cause Reasons (tenant is not at fault):
Enhanced Protections for Vulnerable Households: Ordinance 1068 includes enhanced noticing requirements for certain no-fault evictions affecting households with specific vulnerabilities (such as elderly, disabled, or long-term tenants). These households may be entitled to additional procedural protections before a no-fault eviction can proceed.
Relocation Assistance: For no-fault evictions, the ordinance requires landlords to pay increased relocation assistance compared to state law minimums. The specific amount may vary by reason for eviction and household circumstances; tenants should contact the City of Larkspur for current figures.
Right of Return: Tenants displaced by certain no-fault evictions (such as owner move-in or substantial renovation) have a right of return within 12 months if the qualifying reason ends and the unit is re-offered for rent.
For units not covered by Ordinance 1068, AB 1482 provides statewide just-cause eviction protections after a tenant has resided in the unit for 12 months, using a similar at-fault/no-fault framework.
City Administration: Larkspur does not operate a standalone rent board. The Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Tenant Protections Ordinance are administered through the City of Larkspur — primarily the City Manager's Office and City Clerk. Tenants and landlords with questions about coverage, petitions, or complaints should contact the City directly.
Landlord Registration: Landlords with covered rental units are subject to the requirements of Ordinance 1067. While specific registration details and fees should be confirmed with the City, landlords are generally required to register covered units and comply with annual reporting obligations. Failure to register may affect a landlord's ability to raise rents.
Petition Process — Tenants: If a landlord attempts to impose a rent increase above the allowable cap, a tenant in a covered unit may file a petition with the City challenging the increase. Tenants should document the current rent, any notice received, and the date of the last increase before filing.
Petition Process — Landlords (Fair Return): A landlord who believes the standard cap does not yield a fair rate of return may petition the City for authorization to increase rent to the maximum allowed by state law. The City evaluates such petitions based on the landlord's documented financials for the property.
Anti-Harassment Provisions: Ordinance 1068 is designed to prevent landlords from using harassment or bad-faith tactics to pressure tenants to vacate. Conduct such as repeated unwarranted entry, service reduction, or threats designed to force a tenant out without lawful just cause may violate the ordinance. Tenants who believe they are being harassed should document incidents and contact the City or a local legal aid organization.
No-Fault Eviction Noticing: For no-fault evictions of households with qualifying vulnerabilities (elderly, disabled, or long-term tenants), landlords must comply with enhanced noticing timelines established in Ordinance 1068 before proceeding. Standard California notice periods also apply.
Use RentCheckMe's address checker to quickly determine whether your Larkspur address falls under the local Rent Stabilization Ordinance or is covered instead by California's statewide AB 1482 protections.
The primary local resource for Larkspur renters is the City of Larkspur. Contact the City Manager's Office or City Clerk for questions about coverage, landlord registration, rent increase petitions, and tenant complaints under Ordinance 1067 and Ordinance 1068:
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws and local ordinances change, and individual circumstances vary. For guidance specific to your situation, contact the City of Larkspur directly or consult a qualified housing attorney or legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no representations about the completeness or current accuracy of the information presented here.
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