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San Francisco, the cultural and financial hub of the Bay Area in San Francisco County, has a long history of tenant protections rooted in the housing pressures of the late 1970s. As rents skyrocketed during a period of rapid urban growth, the City enacted the San Francisco Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance in 1979 (SF Administrative Code, Chapter 37). The ordinance established the San Francisco Rent Board to administer rent increases, hear petitions, and protect tenants from unjust evictions.
The ordinance covers most multi-unit residential buildings with two or more units that received their first certificate of occupancy on or before June 13, 1979. This cutoff date predates the statewide Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, which means San Francisco's own exemption rules govern coverage — not the 1995 Costa-Hawkins cutoff — though Costa-Hawkins still prohibits local rent control on single-family homes and condominiums regardless of when the ordinance was enacted.
Tenants living in units not covered by the local ordinance — such as those in buildings constructed after June 13, 1979 — may still have protections under California's AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which imposes a statewide rent cap of 5% plus local CPI (capped at 10% total) and just-cause eviction requirements on eligible units. Tenants should confirm coverage with the SF Rent Board or a legal aid organization.
The San Francisco Rent Ordinance applies to residential rental units in buildings with 2 or more units where the building received its first certificate of occupancy on or before June 13, 1979. Below is a summary of what is and is not covered.
Tenants in buildings built after June 13, 1979 (but more than 15 years ago) that are not otherwise exempt may be protected by AB 1482. AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (maximum 10%) and requires just cause for eviction. It does not apply to single-family homes or condos where the owner has provided proper notice, or to buildings constructed within the last 15 years.
For units covered by the San Francisco Rent Ordinance, annual rent increases are strictly limited. Landlords may not raise rent by more than the allowable annual increase set each year by the SF Rent Board, calculated as 60% of the percentage increase in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Area Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers over the 12-month period ending October 31 of the prior year.
In practice, this cap has typically ranged between 1% and 3% per year. The Rent Board announces the new allowable increase each year, effective March 1. For example, the allowable increase effective March 1, 2024 was 3.3%. Landlords must provide proper written notice before any rent increase takes effect — at least 30 days for increases under 10% and at least 90 days for increases of 10% or more.
Landlords may bank unused annual increases and apply them in a later year, but only up to a limited extent. The SF Rent Board has specific rules governing banked increases, and tenants can petition the Board if they believe a banked increase is being applied improperly.
Landlords may petition the Rent Board for additional rent increases above the annual cap based on documented cost increases, such as increased operating and maintenance expenses or capital improvements. Tenants have the right to contest such petitions. Tenants may also file petitions to reduce their rent if services are decreased or if a landlord fails to maintain the unit in habitable condition.
For units not covered by the local ordinance but subject to AB 1482, the annual cap is 5% plus local CPI, not to exceed 10%.
Under the San Francisco Rent Ordinance, landlords must have a legally recognized just-cause reason to evict any tenant in a covered unit. San Francisco's just-cause protections are among the most comprehensive in California.
For most no-fault evictions — including owner move-in, Ellis Act removals, and capital improvement evictions — landlords are required to pay relocation assistance to displaced tenants. The amount varies by reason and unit, but Ellis Act relocation payments can be substantial, especially for long-term tenants and seniors or disabled tenants. Contact the SF Rent Board for current relocation payment schedules.
For units not covered by the local ordinance but subject to AB 1482, just-cause eviction protections still apply after a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months. AB 1482's just-cause list is less detailed than San Francisco's local ordinance, so tenants in covered buildings benefit from stronger protections under the local law.
The San Francisco Rent Board (officially the Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board) is the city agency responsible for administering the Rent Ordinance. It sets annual allowable increases, hears petitions from both tenants and landlords, and maintains records on covered units.
Landlords of covered units are required to register their rental units with the Rent Board and pay an annual registration fee. Failure to register can affect a landlord's ability to collect rent increases. Tenants can verify whether their unit is registered by contacting the Rent Board or using the online unit lookup tool at sfrentboard.com.
Both tenants and landlords may file petitions with the SF Rent Board. Tenants commonly file petitions for:
Petitions can be filed online, by mail, or in person at the Rent Board office located at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 320, San Francisco, CA 94102. The Rent Board offers free counseling by phone and walk-in to help tenants understand their rights and the petition process.
San Francisco's Rent Ordinance and related local laws prohibit landlord harassment of tenants. The Tenant Harassment Ordinance (SF Administrative Code Section 37.10B) makes it unlawful for landlords to interfere with a tenant's quiet enjoyment, threaten tenants, enter units without proper notice, or take actions intended to force a tenant to vacate. Tenants who experience harassment can file a complaint with the Rent Board or pursue civil remedies in court.
Phone: (415) 252-4602 | Website: sfrentboard.com | Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Use RentCheckMe's address checker to quickly find out whether your San Francisco rental unit is likely covered by the local Rent Ordinance or by AB 1482, based on building type and construction date.
The San Francisco Rent Board is your primary resource for questions about coverage, allowable increases, petitions, and eviction protections:
Additional resources for San Francisco tenants:
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws are complex and subject to change; local ordinance details, allowable increase percentages, and exemption rules may have been updated since this page was last reviewed. Tenants should contact the San Francisco Rent Board or a qualified legal aid organization such as Bay Area Legal Aid to get advice specific to their situation.
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