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Berkeley Rent Control Calculator
Calculate the maximum allowable rent increase under Berkeley’s 65% CPI formula — updated for Measure MM (2024) and the 2026 Annual General Adjustment.
Uses the current 1.0% AGA effective January 1, 2026 as published by the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. For informational purposes only.
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How Berkeley Rent Control Works
Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance (BMC Chapter 13.76) is one of the strongest tenant protection laws in California. First enacted in 1980 and significantly strengthened by Measure MM in 2024, the ordinance regulates rent increases, requires just cause for all evictions, and mandates unit registration with the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board.
Unlike the statewide AB 1482 formula of 5% + CPI (capped at 10%), Berkeley uses a voter-approved formula of 65% of the regional CPI-U for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area. This formula, approved by Berkeley voters in 2004, produces substantially lower allowable increases. For 2026, the Annual General Adjustment (AGA) is just 1.0% — compared to the statewide AB 1482 cap of approximately 8.5%.
The AGA operates on a calendar year basis, running from January 1 through December 31. The Rent Board publishes the new AGA rate each year based on the change in the Bay Area CPI-U. Landlords may only impose one AGA increase per 12-month period, and the increase takes effect on the anniversary of the tenancy or the first day of the month following proper notice — whichever applies.
A critical distinction in Berkeley is the registration requirement. All rent-stabilized units must be registered with the Rent Stabilization Board, and landlords must pay annual registration fees. If registration fees are unpaid, the landlord cannot take the AGA — the increase is simply not allowed until the unit is in compliance. This creates a direct financial incentive for landlords to maintain current registration.
Measure MM (2024) is the latest amendment to the ordinance. It strengthened tenant protections by expanding just cause eviction requirements, increasing relocation assistance amounts, and closing loopholes that had been used to circumvent rent stabilization. The measure reflects Berkeley’s ongoing commitment to strong rent control as a tool for maintaining housing affordability and community stability.
Berkeley also imposes a unique obligation on security deposits: landlords must pay interest on security deposits held for tenants in rent-stabilized units. The interest rate is set annually by the Rent Board, and landlords must either pay the interest directly to the tenant or credit it against rent. Failure to comply can result in penalties and may affect the landlord’s ability to retain deposit funds at the end of the tenancy.
Another important restriction is the first-year limitation. During the first full calendar year of a tenancy, plus the remainder of the move-in year, landlords cannot impose an AGA increase. This means a tenant who moves in mid-year is protected from any rent increase until January 1 of the second full calendar year following move-in. This provision prevents landlords from immediately raising rents on new tenants.
The combination of the 65% CPI formula, mandatory registration, security deposit interest requirements, and first-year restrictions makes Berkeley one of the most tenant-protective jurisdictions in the state. Landlords operating in Berkeley must maintain meticulous compliance records and stay current with the Rent Board’s annual publications.
Properties Exempt from Berkeley Rent Control
Not all Berkeley rental properties are subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. The following are exempt:
- Single-family homes — exempt under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code §1954.50-1954.535), provided the owner is not a corporation, REIT, or LLC with a corporate member
- Condominiums — individually owned condos are exempt under Costa-Hawkins
- Units with certificates of occupancy issued after June 1980 — new construction after the ordinance’s effective date is exempt from rent stabilization (but not from just cause eviction protections under Measure MM)
- Government-subsidized housing — units with regulatory agreements that already limit rents
- Owner-occupied units — the unit in which the owner resides (other units in the same building remain covered)
The First-Year Restriction
Even for covered units, landlords cannot impose an AGA increase during the first full calendar year of tenancy plus the remainder of the move-in year. For example, if a tenant moves in on March 15, 2026, the landlord cannot increase rent until January 1, 2028 — the remainder of 2026 plus the full calendar year of 2027 are protected. This is more restrictive than AB 1482, which begins its 12-month clock from move-in.
Costa-Hawkins and Vacancy Decontrol
Under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, landlords may set initial rent at any amount when a unit is voluntarily vacated. However, once a new tenant moves in, the rent is stabilized and subject to the 65% CPI cap going forward. Berkeley’s just cause eviction protections apply from day one of the tenancy — there is no 12-month waiting period as under AB 1482.
Even exempt properties must comply with Berkeley’s just cause eviction requirements under Measure MM. Always verify your specific situation with the Rent Board.
Relocation Assistance Requirements
Berkeley requires landlords to pay relocation assistance to tenants displaced by certain no-fault evictions. These amounts are among the highest in California and are adjusted periodically by the Rent Board.
Vulnerable tenants who qualify for the additional payment include:
- Low-income tenants — household income below 80% of Area Median Income
- Disabled tenants — individuals with qualifying disabilities
- Elderly tenants — age 60 or older
- Families with minor children — any household member under 18
- Long-term tenants — tenancies that began before January 1, 1999
Relocation assistance is triggered by Ellis Act withdrawals (removing units from the rental market) and owner move-in (OMI) evictions. The landlord must pay the full relocation amount before the tenant is required to vacate. Failure to pay relocation assistance can invalidate the eviction and expose the landlord to significant legal liability.
Security Deposit Interest — A Berkeley Requirement
Berkeley is one of the few California jurisdictions that requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits. This obligation applies to all rent-stabilized units and is enforced by the Rent Stabilization Board.
Each year, the Rent Board publishes the applicable interest rate. Landlords must either pay the accrued interest directly to the tenant or credit it against rent. The interest accrues annually on the anniversary of the tenancy or on a schedule set by the Rent Board.
Key requirements for Berkeley security deposit interest compliance:
- Track deposit amounts and dates — maintain records of the original deposit and any adjustments
- Calculate interest annually — using the Rent Board’s published rate for the applicable period
- Pay or credit interest — within the timeframe specified by the ordinance
- Provide written notice — inform tenants of the interest amount and how it was applied
- Account for interest at move-out — include accrued interest in the security deposit return
Failure to comply with the security deposit interest requirement can result in penalties, and may limit the landlord’s ability to retain any portion of the security deposit for damages or unpaid rent at the end of the tenancy.
Rent Board Registration
All rent-stabilized units in Berkeley must be registered with the Rent Stabilization Board. Registration is not optional — it is a legal requirement that directly affects the landlord’s ability to increase rent.
The most significant consequence of failing to register: landlords cannot take the Annual General Adjustment (AGA) if registration fees are unpaid. This means that even if the published AGA is 1.0%, a landlord with unpaid registration fees has a maximum allowable increase of 0% until the unit is brought into compliance.
Registration requirements include:
- Initial registration — must be completed when a unit first becomes subject to the ordinance
- Annual fee payment — registration fees are due each year and fund the Rent Board’s operations
- Tenancy information — landlords must report tenant names, move-in dates, and current rent amounts
- Rent increase reporting — all rent increases must be reported to the Rent Board
- Change of ownership — new owners must update registration within 30 days of acquiring the property
The Rent Board maintains an online portal at berkeleyrent.org where landlords can register units, pay fees, report rent changes, and access compliance resources. Landlords can also contact the Rent Board directly for questions about their specific obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum rent increase allowed in Berkeley in 2026?
The maximum Annual General Adjustment (AGA) for Berkeley rent-stabilized units in 2026 is 1.0%, effective January 1, 2026. This is calculated as 65% of the regional CPI-U for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area. On a $2,500/month rent, this means a maximum increase of $25/month. The landlord must have current registration and paid fees to take the AGA.
How is Berkeley’s rent increase formula calculated?
Berkeley uses a voter-approved formula of 65% of the CPI-U for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area. This formula was approved by Berkeley voters in 2004. The Rent Stabilization Board calculates the AGA each year based on the applicable CPI change and publishes the rate before the January 1 effective date. Unlike AB 1482’s 5% + CPI formula, Berkeley’s 65% CPI formula typically produces much lower allowable increases.
Does Berkeley rent control apply to my property?
Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance covers most multi-unit residential properties built before June 1980. Exempt properties include single-family homes and condominiums (under Costa-Hawkins), new construction after June 1980, government-subsidized housing, and owner-occupied units. However, even exempt properties are subject to Berkeley’s just cause eviction requirements under Measure MM (2024). Contact the Rent Board at berkeleyrent.org to verify your property’s status.
How does Berkeley rent control compare to AB 1482?
Berkeley’s rent control is significantly more restrictive than the statewide AB 1482. The 2026 Berkeley AGA is 1.0%, while AB 1482 allows approximately 8.5% (5% + 3.5% CPI). On a $2,500/month rent, that’s a $25/month increase under Berkeley versus $212.50/month under AB 1482 — a savings of $187.50/month for tenants. Berkeley also requires just cause for evictions from day one (AB 1482 requires 12 months of occupancy), mandates unit registration, and requires landlords to pay security deposit interest.
What happens if my registration fees are unpaid?
If your registration fees are unpaid, you cannot take the Annual General Adjustment. The Rent Board will not authorize any rent increase on an unregistered unit or a unit with outstanding fees. You must bring the unit into full compliance — including paying all back fees — before you can impose any AGA increase. Additionally, tenants may challenge past rent increases if the unit was not properly registered at the time of the increase.
How much is Berkeley relocation assistance?
Berkeley requires a base relocation payment of $19,413 for Ellis Act withdrawals and owner move-in (OMI) evictions. Vulnerable tenants — including low-income, disabled, elderly (60+), families with minor children, and tenancies that began before January 1, 1999 — receive an additional $6,471, for a total of up to $25,884 per tenant. These are among the highest relocation assistance amounts in California and must be paid before the tenant is required to vacate.
Do I have to pay interest on security deposits in Berkeley?
Yes. Berkeley is one of the few California jurisdictions that requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits for rent-stabilized units. The Rent Board publishes the applicable interest rate annually. Landlords must either pay the accrued interest directly to the tenant or credit it against rent. Failure to comply can result in penalties and may affect your ability to retain deposit funds at the end of the tenancy. Track deposit dates and amounts carefully to ensure accurate interest calculations.
Can I raise rent during the first year of a Berkeley tenancy?
No. Under Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance, landlords cannot impose an AGA increase during the first full calendar year of tenancy plus the remainder of the move-in year. For example, if a tenant moves in on September 1, 2026, the landlord cannot increase rent until January 1, 2028 (the remainder of 2026 + all of 2027 are protected). This is more restrictive than AB 1482, where the rent cap applies after the tenant has been in occupancy for 12 months.
Related Resources
AB 1482 Rent Cap Calculator
Calculate the statewide maximum rent increase under California’s Tenant Protection Act.
Use the calculator →Oakland Rent Control Guide
Rent adjustment rules, just cause eviction, and compliance requirements for Oakland landlords.
Read the guide →California Landlord Compliance Checklist
Every law, deadline, and form California landlords need to know in 2026.
Read the checklist →California Security Deposit Laws
New one-month limit, 21-day return rule, and itemized deduction requirements.
Read the guide →Stay compliant in Berkeley without the guesswork
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