Rent Control & Tenant Protections in California

Last updated: January 2026

California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) provides baseline protections, while many cities have their own stronger local rent control laws.

California AB 1482 at a Glance

  • Rent Cap: 5% + CPI annually, maximum 10%
  • Coverage: Most rentals built more than 15 years ago (before ~2011 in 2026)
  • Just Cause: Required after 12 months of tenancy
  • Exemptions: Single-family homes (with notice), new construction, owner-occupied duplexes
  • Local Laws: 33+ cities have stronger local rent control ordinances

📖 Read our plain-English AB 1482 guide →

🏛️ Cities with Local Rent Control

These cities have their own rent control ordinances that typically provide stronger protections than AB 1482, including lower rent caps and broader coverage:

Check your address to see if your building is covered by rent control or AB 1482 protections.

📋 Cities with AB 1482 Statewide Protections

These cities don't have local rent control but are covered by California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482):

Statewide Resources