Rent Control in Santa Monica

Last updated: January 2026

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

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1. Overview of Rent Control in Santa Monica

The City of Santa Monica has a comprehensive Rent Control Ordinance that was established in April 1979. This ordinance provides rent stabilization and tenant protection for many residential rental units in Santa Monica.

Important Note: Santa Monica is an independent city within Los Angeles County, separate from the City of Los Angeles. Each city has its own rent control ordinances that apply exclusively within their respective municipal boundaries. Properties in Santa Monica are subject to Santa Monica's Rent Control Ordinance, not the City of Los Angeles's rent control laws.

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 Monica'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 Monica Rent Control Board and the Santa Monica Municipal Code. It is not legal advice.

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

Santa Monica's Rent Control Ordinance applies to residential rental units built before April 10, 1979. However, there are several important exceptions:

• Single-family homes – Single-family homes are exempt from the ordinance under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).
• Condominiums – Condominiums are exempt from the ordinance under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.
• Newer construction – Residential rental units built on or after April 10, 1979 are exempt from the ordinance, though they may still be protected under AB 1482. Note: Since we only have year-level data, properties built in 1979 may be covered if built before April 10, 1979, 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

Santa Monica uses a Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) system to determine the rent ceiling for controlled units. The Maximum Lawful Rent consists of three components:

1. The Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) – The rent ceiling for a unit, not including registration fee pass-through or surcharges. For tenancies that started before January 1, 1999, the MAR is typically determined by the rent in effect on April 10, 1978, plus allowed increases. For tenancies started on or after January 1, 1999, property owners have the right to set the initial rent for new tenancies, and the MAR is based on the rent in effect when the tenancy began plus allowed increases.
2. Registration fee pass-through – Landlords may pass through up to 50% of the annual registration fee to tenants in equal monthly installments. For the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the annual registration fee is $240 per unit, which equates to $10.00 per unit per month that may be passed through to tenants with proper notice.
3. Property-tax-related surcharges – In some instances, landlords may charge tenants a pro rata share of certain property taxes, subject to specific conditions and limits (limited to five line-items from the property tax bill, and only for tenancies that began before March 1, 2018, under certain conditions).

Annual General Adjustment (GA): Each year, the Rent Control Board announces an increase to the MAR portion of the rent, known as the General Adjustment. The GA is primarily based on 75% of the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles area for the 12 months ending in March.

Current rent increase limits:

• September 2025 General Adjustment: 2.3% for eligible units, with a maximum $60 increase for units with current maximum allowable rents of $2,587 and above

A rent may be increased by the GA as of September 1 of each year only if:

• The tenancy started before September 1 of the previous year
• All Rent Control registration fees and penalties for a property have been paid
• The tenancy for the subject unit is properly registered
• There are no uncorrected citations or notices of violation of health, safety, or housing laws for the property
• The owner is in compliance with the Rent Control Law
• The owner gives proper written notice to the tenant (at least 30 days in advance)

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

Santa Monica's Rent Control Ordinance includes just cause eviction protections that help prevent arbitrary evictions and ensure tenant stability. The ordinance limits eviction grounds and ensures tenants cannot be removed without just cause.

Landlords must provide valid reasons, as specified in the ordinance, to evict tenants. The specific grounds for eviction are detailed in the Santa Monica Municipal Code and Rent Control regulations.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the City of Santa Monica Rent Control Board and the Maximum Lawful Rent information, you can get both a quick snapshot and deeper, individualized help for your situation.

After you run an address through RentCheckMe, consider:

• Using the city's Look Up a Rent tool to find the Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) for your unit
• Contacting the City of Santa Monica Rent Control Board for information about rent stabilization, eviction protections, and compliance
• Reviewing the Rent Control regulations and resolutions available on the city's website
• Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization

6. Resources for Santa Monica Tenants

• California Department of Consumer Affairs – Statewide tenant rights information
• Housing Rights Center – Education and advocacy for tenants throughout California

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in Santa Monica, drawn from public resources like the City of Santa Monica Rent Control Board and the Santa Monica 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 when your tenancy began (before or after January 1, 1999) and other factors. For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the City of Santa Monica Rent Control Board, a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Cities in California

Learn about rent control in other cities in California:

• Rent Control in Baldwin Park
• Rent Control in Bell Gardens
• Rent Control in Beverly Hills
• Rent Control in Cudahy
• Rent Control in Culver City
• Rent Control in Inglewood
• Rent Control in San Francisco
• Rent Control in Alameda
• View all California rent control guides