California Tenant Defense System | Justice Foundation
AB 1482 established statewide rent control — but dozens of California cities have local rent control ordinances that provide additional or stronger protections. In cities with local rent control, tenants may have significantly more protection than state law alone provides. Understanding whether you live in a local rent control jurisdiction — and what that jurisdiction’s ordinance provides — is essential to knowing your full rights.
Major California Rent Control Jurisdictions
Los Angeles: The LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) covers most rental units built before October 1, 1978 in the City of LA. Rent increases are capped at a percentage set annually by the LA Housing Department (currently 3% for properties with gas/electric included, 4% without). Just-cause eviction protections apply from day one of tenancy — not after 12 months as under AB 1482. San Francisco: Among the strongest rent control in the country. Applies to most units built before June 13, 1979. Rent increases are CPI-based (currently around 1.6%). Just-cause protections are extensive and include the right to a hearing before the Rent Board. Oakland: Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance applies to all rentals regardless of age. Rent Adjustment Program caps increases at CPI for buildings built before 1983. Berkeley, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, East Palo Alto, and many others also have local ordinances with varying coverage and protections.
How to Find Your Local Rules
Search “[your city] rent control ordinance” or contact your city’s housing department. Many cities maintain tenant rights hotlines and rent board offices that can tell you immediately whether your unit is covered and what the current rent cap is. Some cities maintain online registries of covered units.
When Local Rules Apply Alongside State Law
When a local ordinance covers your unit AND AB 1482 also applies, you’re entitled to the more protective of the two provisions on any given issue. If local rent control allows only a 3% increase but AB 1482 would allow 8%, the local 3% cap applies. If local just-cause protections are stronger than AB 1482’s, the local protections govern. The Justice Foundation kit includes a local rent control jurisdiction guide covering the 25 largest California cities with rent control ordinances.
California Tenant Defense System 
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