Ontario is a logistics and manufacturing hub in San Bernardino County's Inland Empire, where renters rely solely on California's statewide AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act for rent increase and eviction protections — the city has enacted no local rent control ordinance of its own.·Updated May 2026
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Key Takeaways
Most pre-2011 multi-family rentals; single-family homes, condos, and units built in the last 15 years are exempt
5% + Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario CPI, maximum 10% per year under AB 1482
After 12 months of tenancy, landlords must have a legally recognized just cause reason to evict
Ontario sits at the western edge of San Bernardino County in the heart of the Inland Empire, a sprawling region roughly 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The city's population has grown to over 185,000 residents, driven largely by warehouse and logistics jobs tied to Ontario International Airport and the region's massive distribution economy. Renters make up a substantial share of Ontario households — many are working-class families drawn by lower housing costs compared to Los Angeles County, though rents have climbed sharply over the past several years.
Unlike cities such as Los Angeles or San Jose, Ontario has not enacted any local rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. The only rent and eviction protections available to most Ontario renters come from California's statewide AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which sets a cap on annual rent increases and requires landlords to provide just cause before evicting a tenant who has lived in a unit for 12 months or more. Because AB 1482 is a state law with no local rent board, tenants must understand and self-enforce their own rights.
This article explains which Ontario rental units are covered by AB 1482, how the rent cap is calculated using the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro CPI, what just cause eviction means in practice, and where to find legal help if your landlord violates state law.
2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Ontario?
AB 1482 covers residential rental units whose certificate of occupancy was issued 15 or more years before the current date. Because this is a rolling threshold, units completed before approximately 2011 are generally covered as of 2026. Coverage is automatic — there is no registration requirement, and no local agency administers the law in Ontario.
However, a significant share of Ontario rentals fall outside AB 1482's reach. The following unit types are exempt:
Single-family homes and condominiums — exempted by the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code §§ 1954.50–1954.535), unless the owner has provided written notice of AB 1482 coverage
Units built within the last 15 years — as of 2026, any unit with a certificate of occupancy issued in 2011 or later is exempt
Owner-occupied duplexes — where the property owner lives in one of the two units
Single-family homes owned by a corporation, LLC, or real estate investment trust (REIT) — these entities cannot claim the SFH exemption, and such units may be covered by AB 1482
Government-subsidized affordable housing — units with affordability restrictions already governing rent increases (e.g., Section 8 project-based housing) have their own rent rules
Transient and hotel accommodations
Commercial properties
If you are unsure whether your Ontario rental qualifies, use the RentCheckMe address lookup tool or consult Inland Counties Legal Services for a free eligibility assessment.
3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases
For covered units in Ontario, AB 1482 limits rent increases to 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) percentage, with an absolute maximum of 10% per year. Ontario falls within the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan statistical area, so the relevant CPI is the one published for that metro region by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For 2025, the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario CPI increase was approximately 3.5–4%, placing the allowable rent increase cap at roughly 8.5% to 9% for most covered Ontario units. The California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) publishes updated CPI figures each year — landlords and tenants can verify the current cap at hcd.ca.gov.
Additional rules governing rent increases under AB 1482:
12-month waiting period: A landlord cannot impose an AB 1482 rent increase until a tenant has lived in the unit for at least 12 months.
Two increases per year maximum: Landlords may raise rent no more than twice in any 12-month period, but the combined total of both increases cannot exceed the annual cap.
No banking: A landlord who skips a year's increase cannot accumulate or carry over unused percentage points into a future year.
Proper notice required: Increases of 10% or less require 30 days' written notice; increases above 10% (which are prohibited under AB 1482) would require 90 days.
4. Just Cause Eviction Protections
Once an Ontario renter has lived in an AB 1482-covered unit for 12 months (or if any member of a household has lived there for 24 months), the landlord must have a legally recognized just cause reason to terminate the tenancy. Without a qualifying reason, an eviction notice is invalid under state law.
At-fault just cause reasons (tenant has done something wrong):
Failure to pay rent
Breach of a material lease term after written notice to cure
Maintaining a nuisance or causing significant damage to the unit
Refusing to allow lawful entry by the landlord after proper notice
Using the unit for an unlawful purpose
Criminal activity on the premises
Subletting without the landlord's permission when prohibited by the lease
No-fault just cause reasons (tenant has done nothing wrong):
Owner or immediate family member move-in (landlord or close relative intends to occupy the unit as a primary residence)
Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market under the Ellis Act
Substantial remodel requiring the unit to be vacated for at least 30 days
Demolition of the building
Relocation assistance: When a landlord terminates a tenancy for a no-fault just cause reason, the tenant is entitled to one month's rent in relocation assistance — or, at the landlord's option, a waiver of the final month's rent. This payment must be provided at the time the notice is served. Failure to pay relocation assistance voids the eviction notice.
5. Local Rules and Special Protections
Ontario has no local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The city council has not enacted any municipal code provisions governing rent increases, just cause eviction, or tenant relocation beyond what California state law requires. This means there is no Ontario Rent Board, no local registration process for rental units, and no city-administered complaint mechanism for excessive rent increases.
One reason Ontario — like most California cities — lacks local rent control is the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code §§ 1954.50–1954.535). Costa-Hawkins prohibits California cities from applying rent control to single-family homes, condominiums, or any unit built after February 1, 1995. Given that a large share of Ontario's rental housing stock was built after 1995, any local ordinance would cover relatively few units — limiting the political incentive to enact one.
In practice, AB 1482 is the only rent protection available to most Ontario renters. Because no city agency enforces AB 1482, tenants who believe their landlord has violated the rent cap or issued an invalid eviction notice must pursue remedies on their own — typically through a demand letter, Small Claims Court (for rent overcharges), or by raising AB 1482 as a defense in unlawful detainer (eviction) court proceedings.
The City of Ontario's Housing Division (ontarioca.gov/housing) offers housing assistance programs, referrals to the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, and information about emergency rental assistance. The division does not mediate rent disputes or enforce AB 1482 compliance, but staff can connect tenants with appropriate resources.
6. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources
Start by using RentCheckMe's address lookup tool to check whether your specific Ontario rental unit is covered by AB 1482. Enter your address to get an instant eligibility summary based on the unit's construction date and property type.
If you need further help, the following organizations serve Ontario tenants:
Inland Counties Legal Services — free civil legal aid for low-income residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including tenant rights cases involving AB 1482 violations and unlawful evictions
City of Ontario Housing Division — city-administered housing programs, emergency rental assistance referrals, and Housing Authority connections
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization; provides tenant rights education, referrals, and organizing support
Housing Is Key — California's statewide housing hotline: 833-430-2122; connects renters to rental assistance, eviction prevention resources, and tenant counseling
7. Resources for Ontario Tenants
Inland Counties Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for low-income residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including tenant rights and eviction defense under AB 1482.
City of Ontario Housing Division — City-administered housing programs, emergency rental assistance referrals, and connections to the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization offering tenant rights education, hotline referrals, and community organizing support.
Housing Is Key — California's official statewide housing hotline (833-430-2122) connecting renters to rental assistance, eviction prevention programs, and tenant counseling.
8. Important Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws, CPI figures, and local programs change frequently — confirm current rules with a licensed attorney or qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot represent you. If you are facing eviction or believe your landlord has violated AB 1482, contact Inland Counties Legal Services or another qualified attorney as soon as possible.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
No. Ontario has not enacted any local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The only rent increase and eviction protections available to Ontario renters come from California's statewide AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act of 2019. There is no Ontario Rent Board and no city agency that mediates rent disputes.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Ontario?
For units covered by AB 1482, your landlord can raise rent by no more than 5% plus the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro CPI, with a hard cap of 10% per year. Based on recent CPI figures for that metro area, the 2025 cap is approximately 8.5% to 9% for most covered Ontario rentals. Single-family homes, condos, and units built after roughly 2010 are exempt from this cap.
Does AB 1482 apply to my rental in Ontario?
AB 1482 generally covers multi-family rental units whose certificate of occupancy was issued 15 or more years ago — as of 2026, that means units completed before approximately 2011. Single-family homes, condominiums, and units built more recently are exempt. Use the RentCheckMe address lookup at rentcheckme.com or contact Inland Counties Legal Services to verify whether your specific unit qualifies.
Can my landlord evict me without cause in Ontario?
If you have lived in an AB 1482-covered unit in Ontario for 12 months or more, your landlord must have a legally recognized just cause reason — such as nonpayment of rent, a major lease violation, owner move-in, or Ellis Act withdrawal — to terminate your tenancy. No-fault evictions require the landlord to pay you one month's rent in relocation assistance at the time notice is served. If you have been in your unit less than 12 months, AB 1482's just cause protections do not yet apply.
Where can I get help with a rent dispute in Ontario?
Inland Counties Legal Services (inlandlegal.org) provides free legal aid to income-qualified San Bernardino County residents, including tenants facing unlawful rent increases or evictions. You can also call California's Housing Is Key hotline at 833-430-2122, or visit the City of Ontario Housing Division (ontarioca.gov/housing) for program referrals. RentCheckMe's address lookup at rentcheckme.com can help you quickly confirm whether AB 1482 applies to your unit before you take next steps.
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