Rent Control in Los Angeles County Unincorporated

Last updated: January 2026

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

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Key Takeaways

  • Coverage: Most multi-family properties (2+ units) in unincorporated LA County built before February 1, 1995.
  • Rent Increase Cap: 4% maximum or 60% of CPI per 12-month period (whichever is lower). Banking allowed.
  • Just Cause Protection: Required under LA County Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO).
  • Local Help: LA County Consumer & Business Affairs - Rent Stabilization Program.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Los Angeles County Unincorporated

Important: Los Angeles County has a Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) that applies only to unincorporated areas of the county. This ordinance provides rent stabilization and tenant protection for many residential rental units in these areas. The ordinance became effective on April 1, 2020.

What are unincorporated areas? Unincorporated areas are regions within Los Angeles County that are not part of any incorporated city. These areas are governed directly by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Many communities in LA County are unincorporated, including areas like East Los Angeles, Altadena, Marina del Rey, and many others.

Important distinction: Incorporated cities within Los Angeles County (such as the City of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood, Baldwin Park, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, and others) have their own separate rent control ordinances that take precedence over the county ordinance. If you live in an incorporated city, you should check that city's specific rent control rules, not the county ordinance.

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 the county 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 Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Los Angeles County Unincorporated?

The Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization Ordinance applies to rental units built before February 1, 1995 and all mobile homes within unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

However, there are several important exceptions:

  • Single-family homes – Single-family homes are exempt from the ordinance, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).
  • Condominiums – Condominiums are exempt from the ordinance, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.
  • Newer construction – Units with a certificate of occupancy issued on or after February 1, 1995 are exempt from the ordinance, though they may still be protected under AB 1482. Note: Since we only have year-level data, properties built in 1995 may be covered if built before February 1, 1995, but we cannot determine this without month-level information.
  • Mobile homes – All mobile homes within unincorporated areas are covered by the ordinance, regardless of when they were set up.

Tools like RentCheckMe can help you check whether your building is likely covered based on its construction year and property type.

3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases

Annual rent increases for covered rental units are capped at a percentage set by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Current rent increase limits:

  • As of November 2023: Rent increases are capped at 4% annually, effective through June 2024. This cap may be extended or adjusted by the Board of Supervisors.

The maximum allowable rent increase is subject to periodic review and adjustment by the Board of Supervisors. Landlords must provide proper written notice before implementing a rent increase.

Key rules for rent increases:

  • Landlords must provide proper written notice before implementing a rent increase.
  • Rent increases are limited to once per 12-month period.
  • Tenants may file a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs if they believe a rent increase is not in compliance with the ordinance.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

The Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization Ordinance includes just cause eviction protections that help prevent arbitrary evictions and ensure tenant stability. Landlords must provide valid reasons, as specified in the ordinance, to evict tenants.

The ordinance distinguishes between at-fault and no-fault evictions:

  • At-fault evictions include reasons such as nonpayment of rent, violation of lease terms, nuisance, illegal use of the property, and other tenant-caused issues.
  • No-fault evictions include reasons such as owner move-in, demolition, substantial rehabilitation, and withdrawal from the rental market.

Relocation assistance: For no-fault evictions, landlords are required to provide financial assistance to tenants who are displaced. The amount and requirements for relocation assistance are specified in the ordinance.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, you can get both a quick snapshot and deeper, individualized help for your situation.

After you run an address through RentCheckMe, consider:

  • Contacting the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs for information about rent stabilization, registration, and compliance
  • Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization
  • Verifying whether your property is in an unincorporated area or an incorporated city (incorporated cities have their own separate rent control ordinances)

6. Resources for Los Angeles County Unincorporated Tenants

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in Los Angeles County unincorporated areas, drawn from public resources like the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. 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 and whether your property is in an unincorporated area or an incorporated city. For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Remember: If you live in an incorporated city within Los Angeles County (such as the City of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood, Baldwin Park, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, etc.), that city's rent control ordinance takes precedence over the county ordinance. Make sure you're checking the correct jurisdiction for your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Los Angeles County Unincorporated have its own rent control ordinance?

Yes, Los Angeles County Unincorporated 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 Los Angeles County Unincorporated?

For units covered by Los Angeles County Unincorporated'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 Los Angeles County Unincorporated?

Tenants in Los Angeles County Unincorporated 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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