AB 1482: California's rent cap, explained
AB 1482 — the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 caps annual rent increases at 5% + local CPI, capped at 10% total and adds just-cause protections. Here's what it means for owners — and which California cities go further.
This is a plain-English operator summary, not legal advice. Confirm specifics for your property before acting.
The cap
The statewide cap on annual rent increases is 5% plus regional CPI, and can never exceed 10% in a 12-month period.
Just cause
After 12 months of tenancy, AB 1482 also requires a 'just cause' to end most tenancies.
What's exempt
Common exemptions: housing built within the last 15 years (rolling), most single-family homes and condos when the owner is not a corporation/REIT/LLC-with-a-corporate-member and proper notice is given, and owner-occupied duplexes.
Where a city has its own stricter rent-control ordinance, the local rule generally governs the covered units. A single mis-calculated increase or a missed notice can forfeit the increase and create legal exposure. Hearth confirms each unit's status before every increase and keeps every notice compliant.
California cities with stricter local rent control
Where a city has its own ordinance, the local cap generally governs covered units — often well below the statewide 5% + CPI. These are the cities in our network with local rent control:
| City | Local ordinance summary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LA's RSO caps annual increases at 3–8% (CPI-tied) on units built on or before Oct 1, 1978. |
| San Jose | San Jose's Apartment Rent Ordinance caps increases at 5% per year on covered pre-Sept 1979 apartments. |
| San Francisco | SF rent control limits annual increases to a CPI-based figure (often ~1–3%) on pre-June 1979 units. |
| Sacramento | Sacramento's Tenant Protection Program caps annual increases at 5% + CPI (max 10%) on covered pre-Feb 1995 units. |
| Oakland | Oakland's ordinance ties annual increases to CPI (typically ~2–3%) on most pre-1983 units. |
| Hayward | Hayward's RRSO caps annual increases at 5% on covered pre-July 1979 units. |
| Thousand Oaks | Thousand Oaks retains a legacy rent-stabilization ordinance on some pre-1987 units. |
| Concord | Concord's rent program caps annual increases at 3% or 60% of CPI on covered units. |
| Berkeley | Berkeley rent control sets an annual general adjustment (usually low single digits) on covered units. |
| Antioch | Antioch's rent stabilization ordinance caps annual increases at 60% of CPI (3% floor) on covered units. |
| Richmond | Richmond's Fair Rent Ordinance ties annual increases to 100% of CPI on covered units. |
| Inglewood | Inglewood caps annual rent increases at 5% (or CPI if lower) on covered units. |
| Santa Monica | Santa Monica caps annual increases via a Rent Board general adjustment on controlled units. |
| Mountain View | Mountain View's CSFRA caps annual increases at CPI (2–5%) on covered multifamily built before Feb 1995. |
| Alameda | Alameda's ordinance limits annual increases and requires Rent Program review on covered units. |
| Union City | Union City limits annual increases under a local rent review ordinance. |
| Palm Springs | Palm Springs applies local rent-stabilization rules on certain older multifamily units. |
Not sure if your unit is covered?
Book a free call and Hearth will confirm your property's AB 1482 and local rent-control status — and make sure your next increase is both legal and maximized.
Book a free strategy call →Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum rent increase allowed in California?
Under AB 1482, annual rent increases on covered units are capped at 5% plus the regional CPI, and can never exceed 10% total in any 12-month period. Cities with their own rent-control ordinances may cap increases even lower.
What properties are exempt from AB 1482?
Common exemptions include housing built within the last 15 years (a rolling date), most single-family homes and condos when the owner isn't a corporation, REIT, or an LLC with a corporate member (and proper notice is given), and owner-occupied duplexes. Local ordinances can still apply.
Does AB 1482 require a reason to evict?
Yes. After a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months, AB 1482's just-cause provisions require a valid reason to end most tenancies, and 'no-fault' terminations can require relocation assistance.
How do I know if my city has stricter rent control?
Many California cities — Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, Santa Monica and others — have local ordinances that cap increases below the state limit on covered units. Check your city page or ask Hearth to confirm which of your units are covered.