California rental law

Rules for every lease in California

• Security deposit Max 1 month's rent
• Eviction Just cause needed after 12 months
• Application fees About $69 per applicant in 2026, max
• Tenant screening Vouchers and income source protected
• Rent-setting software Pricing algorithms banned in price-fixing deals

The next 12 months

Nothing scheduled to change here before Oct 6, 2027.

All changes in California

Cities with their own rules

Where a city has its own rule, it can be stricter than state law.

• Los AngelesUp to 3% a year until Jun 2027.
• San FranciscoUp to 1.6% until Feb 2027.
• San DiegoUp to 5% + inflation, max 10% (most older rentals).
• BerkeleyUp to 1.0% in 2026.
• Santa AnaUp to 2.87% until Aug 2027.
• AlamedaYearly rent increase capped at 2.7%.
• AntiochYearly increase capped at 3% or less.
• Baldwin ParkYearly increase capped at 3.7%.
• Beverly HillsYearly increase capped at 8% or inflation.
• ConcordRent increases capped at 5% per 12 months.
• CudahyYearly increase capped at 3%.
• Culver CityYearly rent increase capped at 3.25%.
• East Palo AltoYearly increase capped at 2.0% through Jun 2027.
• HaywardRent increases capped at 5% per year.
• Huntington ParkYearly rent increase capped at 3% or inflation.
• InglewoodRent increases capped at 10% per 12 months.
• LarkspurRent increases are limited here: max 7%.
• Los GatosUp to 5% a year presumed valid.
• MaywoodRent increases limited to 4% or inflation.
• OaklandYearly rent increase capped at 2.3%.
• OjaiYearly rent increase capped at 4%.
• PomonaRent increases capped at 5% per year.
• RichmondYearly increase capped at 1.5% until Aug 2027.
• SacramentoRent increase capped at 8.6%.
• SalinasYearly increase capped at 2.75% or less.
• San JoseRent increases capped at 5% per year.
• San LeandroUp to 5% + inflation, max 10% (most older rentals).
• Santa MonicaYearly increase capped at 3%.
• Unincorporated Los Angeles CountyYearly increase capped at 1.919% until Jun 2027.