From Richmond Mun. Code § 11.100.070, read Oct 4, 2026.Show the law
“Beginning the effective date of this Chapter, no
Landlord shall charge Rent for any Controlled Rental Units in an amount greater than the Rent
in effect on July 21, 2015 except for increases expressly allowed under this Chapter …”
Newer buildings and many houses follow California's limit instead: 5% plus local inflation, never more than 10% a year. In the San Francisco Bay Area that is 8.8% until Jul 31, 2027. Your address tells us which one applies.
Who can help
Get free legal helpIf your landlord won't fix it.LawHelpCA
State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.
Richmond lawDepends on the building
Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction and Homeowner Protection Ordinance - Rent Control
How much can my rent go up?
Max 1.5% until Aug 2027.
Up to 6.5% is allowed if the landlord saved past increases.
Depends on the year the building was built or the number of units.
Who it covers
Buildings built before Feb 1, 1995.
Buildings with 2 or more units.
Covers: Multi-unit properties on one parcel built with permits before Feb. 1, 1995.
Exemptions: Governmentally subsidized/Section 8 units, single-family homes and condos, post-Feb. 1995 new construction, shared kitchen/bath, owner-occupied ADU, non-profit homes for the aged, hotels, dormitories.
In force since
Nov 2016
Enacted
Nov 2016
Figure period
until Aug 2027
The law, word for word
“Beginning the effective date of this Chapter, no
Landlord shall charge Rent for any Controlled Rental Units in an amount greater than the Rent
in effect on July 21, 2015 except for increases expressly allowed under this Chapter …”
For most older rentals, yes: max 5% plus inflation (never over 10%).
The cap follows local inflation (April to April) and resets each August 1.
Depends on the year the building was built.
Who it covers
Not buildings less than 15 years old.
Not owner-occupied buildings with 2 units or fewer.
Covers: Residential real property generally, unless exempt.
Exemptions: Deed-restricted/subsidized affordable housing; dormitories; housing under stricter local rent control; CO issued within previous 15 years; certain separately alienable properties (single-family homes, condos) with non-corporate owners and written notice; owner-occupied duplexes.
In force since
Mar 15, 2019
Current version since
Apr 1, 2024
Set to be repealed
Jan 1, 2030
The law, word for word
“an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower …”