Rent Control in Salinas

Last updated: January 2026

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

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Key Takeaways

  • Coverage: Multi-family properties. Note: Salinas voted to repeal rent stabilization in June 2025, but law remains in effect pending referendum.
  • Rent Increase Cap: 2.75% maximum (75% of CPI, max 2.75%). Check with city for current status.
  • Just Cause Protection: Required under Salinas ordinance (pending referendum on repeal).
  • Local Help: City of Salinas Housing Division.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Salinas

The City of Salinas has enacted several ordinances to enhance tenant protections and promote fair housing practices, effective January 1, 2025. These include the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which limits rent increases for applicable rental units; the Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Protection Ordinance, establishing criteria for lawful evictions; the Tenant Anti-Harassment Protections Ordinance, prohibiting landlord behavior that harasses or intimidates tenants; and the Residential Rental Registration Ordinance, requiring landlords to register their rental properties with the city.

Important Note: On September 23, 2025, the City Council voted to place a repeal ordinance on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. The four rental ordinances remain in effect until voters decide on the repeal in November 2026. The City continues to administer these programs.

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 Salinas's local 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 City of Salinas Rental Registration & Rent Stabilization and the Salinas Municipal Code. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Salinas?

Salinas's Rent Stabilization Ordinance applies to multi-family residential rental properties built before February 1, 1995.

Exemptions:

  • Single-family homes – Single-family homes are exempt from the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) and are subject to the Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Protection Ordinance.
  • Condominiums – Condominiums are exempt from the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, though they may still be protected under AB 1482 and are subject to the Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Protection Ordinance.
  • Newer construction – Multi-family dwellings built after February 1, 1995 are exempt from the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, though they may still be protected under AB 1482 and are subject to the Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Protection Ordinance. 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

Salinas's Rent Stabilization Ordinance limits annual rent increases to the lesser of 2.75% or 75% of the most recent 12-month increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Key rules for rent increases:

  • Only one rent increase is permitted per 12-month period.
  • Landlords must provide proper written notice before implementing a rent increase.
  • The rent increase limit applies to units covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
  • Landlords may petition for rent increases beyond the standard limit through the Landlord Petition Form if they can demonstrate a need for a fair return on investment.

Rent Increase Notice: Landlords must provide tenants with official notices of any rent increases. These notices should detail the amount of the increase, the effective date, and any pertinent information as required by local ordinances. Forms are available in English and Spanish from the City of Salinas.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

Salinas's Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Protection Ordinance establishes clear criteria for lawful evictions, ensuring tenants are not unjustly displaced. It requires landlords to provide a valid reason, or "just cause," for terminating a tenancy.

At-Fault Just Cause includes reasons such as:

  • Non-payment of rent
  • Breach of lease terms
  • Nuisance or illegal activity
  • Other tenant-caused issues

No-Fault Just Cause includes reasons such as:

  • Owner move-in
  • Withdrawal of the rental unit from the market
  • Substantial renovations
  • Other reasons not caused by the tenant

Relocation Assistance: The ordinance mandates relocation assistance for tenants facing no-fault evictions, offering further security and support.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the City of Salinas Rental Registration & Rent Stabilization and the Salinas 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 City of Salinas Housing & Community Development for information about the ordinances and compliance (phone: 831-758-7334, address: 65 West Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93901)
  • Contacting 211 Monterey County (United Way) for referrals to tenant rights information and counseling services (phone: 831-372-8026)
  • Contacting California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) for legal services to low-income individuals, including assistance with housing issues (phone: 831-757-5221, address: 3 Williams Street, Salinas, CA 93905)
  • Contacting Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity for support services to prevent homelessness and secure permanent housing (phone: 831-566-0824, address: 570 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940)
  • Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization
  • Reviewing the Salinas Municipal Code for detailed ordinance information

6. Resources for Salinas Tenants

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in Salinas, drawn from public resources like the City of Salinas Rental Registration & Rent Stabilization and the Salinas Municipal Code. It does not cover every exception or nuance and does not constitute legal advice.

Important Note: The four rental ordinances (Rent Stabilization, Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Protection, Tenant Anti-Harassment Protections, and Rental Registration) remain in effect until November 2026, when voters will decide on a repeal measure placed on the ballot by the City Council. The City continues to administer these programs.

Laws change, and how they apply can depend on the specific facts of your tenancy. For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the City of Salinas Housing & Community Development (phone: 831-758-7334), a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Salinas have its own rent control ordinance?

Yes, Salinas 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 Salinas?

For units covered by Salinas'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 Salinas?

Tenants in Salinas 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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