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Santa Monica is a beachside city in Los Angeles County known for its high cost of living and historically tight rental market. In response to rapid rent increases during the late 1970s, Santa Monica voters approved the Rent Control Charter Amendment in April 1979, making it one of the earliest and most comprehensive local rent stabilization laws in California. The ordinance is administered by the independently elected Santa Monica Rent Control Board.
The ordinance establishes a Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) system for covered units. Landlords may not charge rent above the MAR, which is adjusted each year through an Annual General Adjustment (GA) voted on by the Rent Control Board. For September 2025, the GA is set at 2.3%, with a maximum dollar increase of $60 for units already renting at $2,587 or more per month. The ordinance also requires landlords to register their rental units and provides tenants with strong just-cause eviction protections.
Units that fall outside the local ordinance — including those built on or after April 10, 1979, single-family homes, and condominiums — may still receive some protection under California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which generally caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (not to exceed 10%) and requires just-cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy.
The Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment applies to residential rental units that meet all of the following criteria:
The following property types are exempt from the local ordinance:
For tenancies that began on or after January 1, 1999, landlords have the right under Costa-Hawkins to set the initial rent at the start of a new tenancy. Once a qualifying tenancy is established, the MAR for that unit is based on the rent in effect when the tenancy began, subject to allowed annual increases going forward.
If your unit is exempt from the local ordinance, AB 1482 may still apply if the unit was built more than 15 years ago and is not a single-family home or condo. AB 1482 caps increases at 5% + local CPI (max 10%) annually and requires just-cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy.
For units covered by the Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment, the rent a landlord may charge is governed by the unit's Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR). Landlords may not increase rent above the MAR without approval from the Rent Control Board.
Annual General Adjustment (GA): Each year, the Rent Control Board sets a GA percentage that applies to all covered units. The GA for September 2025 is 2.3%. For units with a current rent of $2,587 or more, the maximum dollar increase is capped at $60 per month regardless of the percentage. Landlords must provide proper written notice before implementing any GA increase.
Banked Increases: Landlords who did not apply a GA increase in a prior year may bank that increase and apply it in a future year, subject to Board rules. Banked increases cannot be applied retroactively or without proper notice.
Allowable Pass-Throughs:
Individual Rent Adjustments: Landlords may petition the Rent Control Board for an upward adjustment above the GA if they can demonstrate that the allowed rent does not provide a fair return on the property. Tenants may also petition for a downward adjustment if the landlord has failed to provide required services or has allowed the unit to fall below habitable standards.
The Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment requires just cause for any eviction of a tenant in a covered unit. A landlord must state a valid just-cause reason in any notice to terminate tenancy, and that reason is subject to challenge before the Rent Control Board or in court.
At-fault just-cause reasons (tenant has done something wrong) include:
No-fault just-cause reasons (tenant has not done anything wrong) include:
Relocation Assistance: For no-fault evictions — including owner move-in, Ellis Act withdrawals, and demolition — tenants in covered units are entitled to relocation assistance under the Santa Monica Municipal Code. The amount varies based on tenancy length and household composition. Tenants who are elderly, disabled, or have minor children may be entitled to enhanced relocation payments. Landlords who fail to pay required relocation assistance face significant penalties.
Tenants in units not covered by the local ordinance but subject to AB 1482 are protected from no-fault eviction without just cause after 12 months of tenancy, and are entitled to one month's rent in relocation assistance for no-fault terminations.
Santa Monica Rent Control Board
The Rent Control Board is a five-member elected body that administers and enforces the Rent Control Charter Amendment. The Board sets the Annual General Adjustment, hears petitions from landlords and tenants, and maintains the official rent registry for covered units.
Unit Registration: Landlords of covered units are required to register each unit with the Rent Control Board and pay an annual registration fee. Failure to register a unit may prevent a landlord from collecting rent increases and can result in fines. Tenants can verify whether their unit is registered through the Board's online portal at smgov.net/rentcontrol.
Filing a Petition: Both tenants and landlords may file petitions with the Rent Control Board. Common tenant petitions include:
Petitions are filed directly with the Board's office. Hearings are conducted by a Hearing Examiner, with appeal rights to the full Board. There is no filing fee for tenant petitions.
Anti-Harassment Protections: The Santa Monica Municipal Code prohibits landlord harassment of tenants. Prohibited conduct includes threatening tenants, interfering with tenant quiet enjoyment, removing services without lawful authority, and attempting to coerce tenants into vacating through intimidation or deception. Tenants who experience harassment may file a complaint with the Rent Control Board and may have a private right of action for damages in civil court.
Tenant Education: The Rent Control Board provides free educational workshops, multilingual informational materials, and one-on-one counseling for tenants with questions about their rights. Contact the Board at (310) 458-8751.
Use RentCheckMe's address checker to quickly determine whether your Santa Monica rental unit is likely covered by the local Rent Control Charter Amendment or falls under AB 1482 state protections.
The Santa Monica Rent Control Board is the primary resource for tenants with questions about coverage, the Maximum Allowable Rent, petitions, and eviction protections. Visit smgov.net/rentcontrol or call (310) 458-8751.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws, Annual General Adjustment percentages, registration fees, and exemption rules can change. The information on this page reflects conditions as of May 2026 and may not reflect subsequent amendments to the Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment or changes in state law. Tenants and landlords with specific questions should contact the Santa Monica Rent Control Board directly or consult a qualified attorney or legal aid organization in Los Angeles County.
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