Law AgreementsCalifornia Rent Increase Calculator
Check whether a California rent increase is legal under AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act) and local rent control ordinances. California has both statewide caps and stricter city-level limits in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Berkeley.
Property & Lease
Property details help determine whether rent control laws apply to your unit.
Many rent control laws only apply to buildings built before a certain year.
Section 8, LIHTC, or other government-subsidized housing may have separate rules.
Enter your current rent and proposed increase to see the analysis.
Why Use Our California Calculator?
How California Rent Increases Work
California has a two-tier rent control system. At the state level, AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index, with an absolute maximum of 10%. This law applies to most residential properties built more than 15 years ago. On top of the state law, many California cities have their own stricter rent control ordinances that apply to older buildings. When both state and local laws apply, the stricter limit controls. Landlords must provide 30 days written notice for increases of 10% or less and 90 days notice for increases over 10%.
Local Rent Control in California
Several California cities maintain rent control ordinances that are stricter than the statewide cap. Los Angeles limits increases to 4% under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), which applies to buildings with 2+ units built before October 1978. San Francisco's Rent Ordinance caps increases at approximately 3.2% (CPI-based) for buildings with 2+ units built before June 1979. Berkeley has one of the strictest limits at 0.65% for pre-1980 buildings. Oakland caps increases at 3% for pre-1983 buildings. San Jose limits increases to 5% for buildings with 3+ units built before 1979. These local limits apply in addition to (not instead of) the statewide AB 1482 cap.
Exemptions from California Rent Control
Not all California rental properties are covered by rent control. Under AB 1482, exemptions include buildings constructed within the last 15 years, single-family homes where the owner has provided proper notice of exemption, owner-occupied duplexes, and certain subsidized housing. Local ordinances have their own exemptions — most exclude single-family homes, condominiums, and buildings constructed after the ordinance's cutoff date. The year your building was constructed is one of the most important factors in determining coverage. If your property is exempt from both state and local rent control, there is no limit on rent increases, though proper notice is still required.
Other Location Calculators
New York City Rent Increase Calculator
Check whether a New York City rent increase is legal under the city's rent stabilization system. NYC has strict limits on rent increases for stabilized apartments, with rates set annually by the Rent Guidelines Board.
Los Angeles Rent Increase Calculator
Check whether a Los Angeles rent increase is legal under the LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). Los Angeles limits annual rent increases to 4% for covered properties — buildings with 2+ units built before October 1, 1978.
San Francisco Rent Increase Calculator
Check whether a San Francisco rent increase is legal under the SF Rent Ordinance. San Francisco limits annual rent increases to approximately 3.2% (CPI-based) for covered properties — buildings with 2+ units built before June 13, 1979.
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