Sacramento's Tenant Protection Program provides rent stabilization and just-cause eviction protections for most residential rental units built before February 1, 1995. Renters in newer or exempt units may still qualify for protections under California's AB 1482.·Updated May 2026
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Key Takeaways
Most residential rental units built before February 1, 1995 within Sacramento city limits, including apartments and duplexes. Excludes single-family homes, condominiums, and owner-occupied duplexes.
Maximum increase of 5% plus CPI; effective July 1, 2025, the cap is 7.7%. Increases are limited to once every 12 months.
Just-cause eviction protections apply to tenants who have resided in the unit for more than 12 months and one day under the Tenant Protection Program.
City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program — www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/code-compliance/tenant-protection-program
Sacramento, the capital of California and the seat of Sacramento County, is the core city of the Sacramento Metro region. Facing rapid rent increases driven by population growth, proximity to the Bay Area, and a tight housing market, the City of Sacramento enacted the Tenant Protection Program (TPP) to safeguard long-term renters from displacement. The program establishes rent stabilization limits and just-cause eviction requirements for eligible residential units within Sacramento city limits.
The Tenant Protection Program applies to most residential rental units — including apartments and duplexes — built before February 1, 1995. It limits how much a landlord can raise rent each year, requires landlords to renew leases for qualifying tenants, and prohibits evictions without a just-cause reason once a tenant has lived in a unit for more than 12 months and one day. Landlords must also register their rental units annually with the City and pay a $20-per-unit annual registration fee.
Renters living in units not covered by the local TPP — such as those built after February 1, 1995 or exempt property types — may still have protections under California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (maximum 10%) and requires just-cause for eviction for tenants with 12 or more months of tenancy in qualifying buildings.
2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Sacramento?
The Sacramento Tenant Protection Program covers most residential rental units built before February 1, 1995 within Sacramento city limits. Coverage is not limited by the number of units in a building — apartments and multi-unit duplexes both qualify, subject to the exemptions below.
Units Covered by the Local TPP
Apartments and multi-unit residential buildings built before February 1, 1995
Duplexes built before February 1, 1995, unless the owner occupies one of the units
All tenants in covered units, regardless of how long they have resided there, for rent stabilization purposes
Just-cause eviction protections apply to tenants who have resided in a covered unit for more than 12 months and one day
Units Exempt from the Local TPP
Units constructed on or after February 1, 1995 (note: units built in 1995 before February 1 may qualify, but month-level data is required to confirm)
Single-family homes and condominiums (also exempt from local rent control statewide under Costa-Hawkins)
Duplexes where the owner occupies one of the units
AB 1482 Backstop for Uncovered Units
If your unit is not covered by the Sacramento TPP — for example, because it was built after February 1, 1995 — you may still be protected by California's AB 1482. AB 1482 applies to most residential rental properties statewide that are not otherwise exempt, capping annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (not to exceed 10% total) and requiring just cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy. Single-family homes and condominiums remain exempt from AB 1482 if proper notice is given by the landlord.
3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases
Under the Sacramento Tenant Protection Program, landlords may not increase rent by more than 5% plus the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in any 12-month period. The maximum allowable increase is adjusted annually to reflect current CPI data.
Effective July 1, 2025, the maximum allowable rent increase is 7.7%. This figure represents the combined 5% base plus the applicable CPI adjustment for that period. The City of Sacramento publishes the updated maximum rate each year, and landlords must apply the rate in effect at the time the notice of increase is served.
Key Rules for Rent Increases Under the TPP
Rent may not be increased more than once every 12 months for any given tenant.
The cap applies to all tenants in covered units, regardless of how long they have resided there.
Landlords may petition the City to have a hearing examiner review a rent increase above the maximum allowable rate. Tenants may also petition if they believe an increase exceeds the cap.
There is no explicit banked increase provision — landlords cannot accumulate unused increase amounts from prior years to apply in a single year without going through the petition process.
For units not covered by the local TPP, AB 1482 limits annual increases to 5% plus local CPI, with a statewide ceiling of 10%.
4. Just Cause Eviction Protections
The Sacramento Tenant Protection Program prohibits landlords from evicting tenants without a valid just-cause reason, provided the tenant has resided in the unit for more than 12 months and one day. Landlords are also required to offer to renew a rental housing agreement if a qualifying tenant wishes to remain in the unit.
At-Fault Just-Cause Reasons
Failure to pay rent
Material breach of the rental agreement after written notice to cure
Committing or permitting nuisance or waste on the property
Criminal activity on the premises or in common areas
Subletting without landlord permission in violation of the lease
Refusal to execute a new rental agreement after the existing term expires, where the new agreement contains substantially the same terms
No-Fault Just-Cause Reasons
Owner or immediate family member move-in (owner intends to occupy the unit as a primary residence)
Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market (Ellis Act)
Substantial remodel or rehabilitation requiring the unit to be vacant
Government order to vacate
Relocation Assistance
The Sacramento TPP requires landlords to provide relocation assistance to tenants displaced for no-fault reasons. The specific amount varies based on the type of no-fault termination and the tenant's circumstances. Tenants facing no-fault evictions should contact the City's Tenant Protection Program office to confirm current relocation assistance requirements.
Tenants in units not covered by the local TPP may still have just-cause protections under AB 1482 after 12 months of tenancy, though the list of qualifying reasons and relocation assistance amounts may differ.
5. Local Rules and Special Protections
The Sacramento Tenant Protection Program is administered by the City of Sacramento Community Development Department — Code Compliance Division. The program includes registration requirements, a petition process, and anti-harassment protections.
Landlord Registration Requirements
Landlords must register all covered rental units with the City of Sacramento annually.
An annual Tenant Protection Program fee of $20 per unit is required at registration.
Failure to register or pay the fee may result in administrative penalties and may affect a landlord's ability to impose rent increases.
Petition Process
Landlord petitions: A landlord who believes the maximum allowable increase does not provide a fair return may petition the City for a hearing before a hearing examiner to approve a higher increase.
Tenant petitions: A tenant who believes their landlord has charged rent above the maximum allowable rate, failed to register, or violated other TPP provisions may file a complaint or petition with the City.
Petitions and complaints are reviewed by the Code Compliance Division. Hearings are conducted by an independent hearing examiner.
Anti-Harassment Protections
The Sacramento TPP includes provisions prohibiting landlords from harassing or intimidating tenants in order to force them to vacate a covered unit. Prohibited conduct includes interfering with the quiet enjoyment of the unit, removing services, and making implied or explicit threats related to tenancy. Tenants who experience harassment should document incidents and file a complaint with the City's Code Compliance Division.
How to File a Complaint or Petition
Tenants or landlords may contact the City of Sacramento's Tenant Protection Program directly by phone or through the City's online portal. The program office can provide guidance on whether a unit is covered, assist with petition procedures, and refer parties to the appropriate hearing process.
6. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources
Use RentCheckMe's address checker to quickly determine whether your Sacramento rental unit is likely covered by the local Tenant Protection Program or by AB 1482 statewide protections.
For official program information, complaints, and petitions, contact the City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program through the Community Development Department's Code Compliance Division:
Legal Services of Northern California — Free civil legal services for low-income Northern California residents, including housing and eviction matters.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization; provides referrals, know-your-rights resources, and tenant organizing support.
Housing Is Key (833-430-2122) — California state resource hub for renters, including information on rent relief, eviction protections, and AB 1482.
7. Resources for Sacramento Tenants
City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program — Official City of Sacramento page for the Tenant Protection Program, including registration requirements, rent increase caps, petition procedures, and contact information.
Legal Services of Northern California — Free civil legal services for low-income residents of Northern California, including housing, eviction defense, and tenant rights matters.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization, offering tenant rights resources, local referrals, and organizing support.
Housing Is Key — California state resource hub for renters covering rent relief programs, eviction protections, and AB 1482 information. Hotline: 833-430-2122.
8. Important Disclaimer
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws and local ordinance details — including the maximum allowable rent increase, registration fees, and just-cause requirements — are subject to change. Tenants and landlords should verify current rules directly with the City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program and consult a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for advice specific to their situation.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Yes. The City of Sacramento enacted the Tenant Protection Program (TPP), which provides rent stabilization and just-cause eviction protections for most residential rental units built before February 1, 1995. The program applies to apartments and duplexes within Sacramento city limits, subject to specific exemptions. Renters in units not covered by the local TPP may still be protected under California's statewide AB 1482.
What is the rent increase cap in Sacramento?
Under the Sacramento Tenant Protection Program, rent increases are capped at 5% plus the change in CPI. Effective July 1, 2025, the maximum allowable rent increase is 7.7%. Landlords may only raise rent once every 12 months for any covered tenant. A landlord may petition for a higher increase, which would be reviewed by a City hearing examiner.
Is my unit covered by Sacramento's rent control ordinance?
Your unit is likely covered by the Sacramento Tenant Protection Program if it is a residential rental unit — such as an apartment or duplex — located within Sacramento city limits and built before February 1, 1995. Single-family homes, condominiums, and duplexes where the owner occupies one unit are exempt. Units built on or after February 1, 1995 are not covered by the local TPP but may qualify for AB 1482 protections.
Can my landlord evict me without just cause in Sacramento?
No, not if you qualify under the Tenant Protection Program. Once you have resided in a covered unit for more than 12 months and one day, your landlord must have a valid just-cause reason — either at-fault (such as nonpayment of rent) or no-fault (such as owner move-in) — to terminate your tenancy. Your landlord is also required to offer to renew your rental agreement if you wish to remain. No-fault evictions may trigger relocation assistance requirements.
How do I contact the Sacramento Rent Board?
Sacramento's rent control program is administered by the City of Sacramento Community Development Department — Code Compliance Division, rather than a standalone rent board. You can reach the Tenant Protection Program through the City's website at www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/code-compliance/tenant-protection-program. The program office handles registration, complaints, petitions, and general inquiries about coverage and rent increase limits.
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