Rent Control in Santa Ana

Last updated: January 2026

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

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Key Takeaways

  • Coverage: Multi-family residential properties (2+ units on a single parcel) built before February 1, 1995. Single-family and condos exempt.
  • Rent Increase Cap: 2.42% for September 2025 - August 2026 (80% of CPI, max 3%). One increase per 12-month period.
  • Just Cause Protection: Required under Santa Ana Tenant Protection Ordinance.
  • Local Help: City of Santa Ana Housing Division.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Santa Ana

The City of Santa Ana has a Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, effective since November 19, 2021. This ordinance provides rent stabilization and tenant protection for residential rental units and mobile home spaces in Santa Ana.

Important Note: In October 2025, the Orange County Superior Court ruled that Santa Ana's Rental Housing Board, a component of the rent control law, was unconstitutional. This ruling may impact the enforcement and administration of the ordinance. The ordinance itself remains in effect, but enforcement mechanisms may be affected. For the most current information, contact the Rent Stabilization Office.

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 Santa Ana'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 Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and the Santa Ana Municipal Code. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana's Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance applies to residential rental units and mobile home spaces, with exemptions for properties specified under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and the Mobilehome Residency Law.

The ordinance covers:

  • Buildings constructed on or before February 1, 1995 – 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.
  • Mobile home parks established before 1990

Exemptions:

  • Single-family homes – Single-family homes are exempt from the ordinance under Costa-Hawkins, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).
  • Condominiums – Condominiums are exempt from the ordinance under Costa-Hawkins, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.
  • Newer construction – Units built after February 1, 1995 are exempt from the ordinance under Costa-Hawkins, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.

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

Santa Ana's Rent Stabilization Ordinance limits rent increases to the lesser of 3% of your current rent or 80% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change.

Current Maximum Allowable Rent Increase: For the period of September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026, the maximum allowable rent increase is 2.42%.

Key rules for rent increases:

  • Landlords are permitted to raise rent once every 12 months.
  • Landlords must provide proper written notice before implementing a rent increase.
  • The rent increase limit applies to units covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
  • Tenants can file a Tenant Petition to request a review of rent increases that exceed the maximum allowable amount.

The city provides an informational calculator on its website to help tenants assess whether a rent increase is within the allowable limits.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

Santa Ana's ordinance includes just cause eviction protections that help prevent arbitrary evictions and ensure tenant stability. Landlords must have a valid reason, or "just cause," for evicting a tenant.

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 (landlord wants to move into the property themselves)
  • Withdrawal of the rental unit from the market
  • Substantial renovations
  • Other reasons not caused by the tenant

Relocation Assistance: In certain "no-fault" eviction scenarios, landlords are required to provide tenants with relocation assistance to help cover moving costs.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the City of Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and the Santa Ana 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 Rent Stabilization Office for information about the ordinances and compliance (phone: 714-667-2209, address: 801 W Civic Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92701, hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
  • Accessing the Rental Registry to check registration status
  • Attending a community workshop to learn more about your rights
  • Reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) on the city's website
  • Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization
  • Reviewing the Santa Ana Municipal Code for detailed ordinance information

6. Resources for Santa Ana Tenants

7. Important Disclaimer

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

Important Note: In October 2025, the Orange County Superior Court ruled that Santa Ana's Rental Housing Board was unconstitutional, which may impact enforcement and administration of the ordinance. The ordinance itself remains in effect, but enforcement mechanisms may be affected. For the most current information about how this ruling affects the ordinance, contact the Rent Stabilization Office or consult with a qualified attorney.

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 Rent Stabilization Office (phone: 714-667-2209), a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Santa Ana have its own rent control ordinance?

Yes, Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana?

For units covered by Santa Ana'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 Santa Ana?

Tenants in Santa Ana 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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