Rent Control in Sacramento

Last updated: January 2026

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

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Key Takeaways

  • Coverage: Most apartments and duplexes built before February 1, 1995. Single-family homes and condos exempt; owner-occupied duplexes exempt.
  • Rent Increase Cap: 7.7% maximum for July 2025 - June 2026 (5% + CPI, max 10%). Landlords can petition for increases above the cap.
  • Just Cause Protection: Required after 12 months of tenancy under Sacramento Tenant Protection Program.
  • Local Help: City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program. $20/unit annual fee.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Sacramento

The City of Sacramento has a Tenant Protection Program (TPP) that was created to assist residential tenants with increasing rental rates by establishing limits on annual rent increases. For longer-term tenants, it also provides protection from unwarranted lease termination. The program helps provide renters in the City of Sacramento with more stability to help them remain in their rental unit.

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 Sacramento's local program. 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 Sacramento Tenant Protection Program and the Sacramento Municipal Code. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Sacramento?

Sacramento's Tenant Protection Program applies to most residential rental units within Sacramento city limits, including apartments and duplexes built before February 1, 1995.

Exemptions:

  • Single-family homes – Single-family homes are exempt from the program, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).
  • Condominiums – Condominiums are exempt from the program, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.
  • Duplexes where the owner occupies one of the units – These are exempt from the program.
  • Newer construction – Units constructed after February 1, 1995 are exempt from the program, 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.

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

Sacramento's Tenant Protection Program limits rent increases to 5% plus the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Current Maximum Allowable Rent Increase: Effective July 1, 2025, the maximum allowable rent increase is 7.7%.

Historical Maximum Allowable Increases:

  • Effective September 12, 2019 through January 13, 2020: 8.5%
  • Effective January 14, 2020 through June 30, 2020: 8.3%
  • Effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021: 6.0%
  • Effective July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022: 9.0%
  • Effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023: 10.0%
  • Effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024: 9.2%
  • Effective July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025: 8.8%
  • Effective July 1, 2025: 7.7%

Key rules for rent increases:

  • The rental rate cannot be increased more than once every 12 months.
  • The rent increase limit applies to all tenants regardless of how long they have resided in the unit.
  • Landlords can petition the City to have a hearing examiner review a rent increase above the maximum. Documentation is required to justify the request.

The maximum rate increase is updated annually and is determined based on the change in CPI. More information on how the annual rent adjustment is determined is available on the city's website.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

Sacramento's Tenant Protection Program includes eviction protections that help prevent arbitrary evictions and ensure tenant stability.

Renewal Requirement: Landlords must offer to renew rental housing agreement if the tenant has resided in the unit for more than 12 months plus one day.

Just Cause Eviction: Evictions are prohibited without a "just cause" reason once a tenant has resided in the rental unit for more than 12 months.

Just Cause Reasons: Valid "just cause" reasons for eviction include:

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

Pre-Eviction Hearing: If you believe a landlord has violated the code, you can request a pre-eviction hearing. For more detailed information on the "just cause" reasons for eviction and how to request a pre-eviction hearing, check the city's Tenant Protection Program webpage.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program and the Sacramento 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 Tenant Protection Program for information about the program and compliance (phone: 916-808-8121, email: tpp@cityofsacramento.org)
  • Booking a virtual or in-person meeting with the Tenant Protection Program scheduler
  • Contacting the Renters Helpline for guidance on tenant rights (phone: 916-389-7877)
  • Contacting the Sacramento Mediation Center for mediation services
  • Reviewing the TPP Policies and Procedures on the city's website
  • Attending TPP Webinars to learn more about the program
  • Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization
  • Reviewing the Sacramento Municipal Code for detailed ordinance information

6. Resources for Sacramento Tenants

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in Sacramento, drawn from public resources like the City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program and the Sacramento 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 building is a duplex where the owner occupies one of the units, and other factors. For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the Tenant Protection Program (phone: 916-808-8121, email: tpp@cityofsacramento.org), a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Sacramento have its own rent control ordinance?

Yes, Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

For units covered by Sacramento'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 Sacramento?

Tenants in Sacramento 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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