Last updated: August 4, 2026
AB 1482 California: Rent Cap + Just Cause Rules (2026)
The complete landlord guide to California’s Tenant Protection Act — rent caps, just cause eviction, exemptions, penalties, and compliance tools. Updated for August 2026 CPI rates.
Key Takeaways
- AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% + local CPI (max 10%) for most CA rentals
- Just cause eviction required after 12 months of tenancy — 10 legal grounds
- Extended through January 1, 2035 by AB 12 — this is a long-term requirement
- 33 California cities impose stricter local caps (Oakland 0.8%, Berkeley 1.0%, SF 1.7%)
- Violations trigger mandatory rent rollback + attorney fees + $2,500+ penalties
What Is AB 1482?
AB 1482, the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with an absolute maximum of 10%. The law also requires landlords to have “just cause” — one of 10 legally valid reasons — to evict a tenant who has occupied a unit for 12 months or more. Originally set to expire in 2030, AB 12 extended the law through January 1, 2035.
The AB 1482 Formula
Maximum Increase = lesser of 10% or (5% + Local CPI)
California Civil Code §1947.12
The CPI used is the April-to-April percentage change for the metropolitan area where the property is located, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If the property is not in a designated metro area, the California statewide CPI-W applies. New rates take effect August 1 each year.
AB 1482 applies to most residential rental properties in California that are at least 15 years old. Key exemptions exist for single-family homes (with proper written notice), new construction, and owner-occupied duplexes — but missing the required notice means losing the exemption entirely, even retroactively.
Current AB 1482 Rent Cap Rates
August 2025 – July 2026
| Region | CPI | Max Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, Orange County | 3.0% | 8.0% |
| San Diego | 3.8% | 8.8% |
| Riverside, San Bernardino | 2.5% | 7.5% |
| San Francisco, Bay Area | 1.3% | 6.3% |
| Sacramento, all other CA | 2.7% | 7.7% |
August 2026 – July 2027
| Region | CPI | Max Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, Orange County | 3.7% | 8.7% |
| San Diego | 3.2% | 8.2% |
| San Francisco, Bay Area | 1.3% | 6.3% |
| Sacramento | 2.6% | 7.6% |
| Riverside, San Bernardino | 3.1% | 8.1% |
CPI data from Bureau of Labor Statistics, April-to-April change. New rates take effect August 1 each year. Calculate your exact cap →
Just Cause Eviction
After a tenant has occupied a unit for 12 months, AB 1482 requires landlords to have one of 10 legally valid reasons to terminate the tenancy. These fall into two categories:
At-Fault Just Cause (6 Reasons)
- Nonpayment of rent — requires 3-day notice to pay or quit
- Material breach of lease — after written notice to cure
- Nuisance or criminal activity on the premises
- Refusal to sign a substantially similar lease renewal
- Refusal to allow lawful landlord entry (Civil Code §1954)
- Unauthorized subletting in violation of the lease
No-Fault Just Cause (4 Reasons)
- Owner or family member move-in — must actually occupy for 12+ months
- Withdrawal from rental market (Ellis Act) — 120-day notice required
- Government order to vacate — code violations or uninhabitable conditions
- Substantial remodel requiring vacancy for 60+ days
Relocation assistance required for all no-fault evictions: One month’s rent, paid within 15 calendar days of serving the termination notice. Some cities require significantly more (LA: up to $22,800).
Properties Exempt from AB 1482
- Single-family homes and condos — if the owner is not a corporation, REIT, or LLC with a corporate member, and provides proper written notice
- New construction — buildings with a certificate of occupancy less than 15 years old (rolling window)
- Owner-occupied duplexes — where the owner lives in one of the two units
- Deed-restricted affordable housing — units with regulatory agreements limiting rent
- Dormitories — housing associated with educational institutions
- Properties under stricter local rent control — that is more restrictive than AB 1482
Warning: If you don’t provide the required written exemption notice using the exact statutory language from Civil Code §1946.2(e), you lose the exemption — even retroactively. The property becomes subject to AB 1482 as if the exemption never existed.
Read the exemption verification guide → | Get the exemption notice template →
Notice Requirements
30 days
Written notice for rent increases of 10% or less within a 12-month period (Civil Code §827)
90 days
Written notice for increases greater than 10% (exempt properties only — AB 1482 caps at 10%)
Rent increase notices must include the AB 1482 disclosure — the applicable rent cap percentage and how it was calculated. Notices served without this disclosure may be void.
Penalties for Violations
Rent Cap Violations
Mandatory rent rollback + recovery of ALL excess rent collected + tenant’s attorney fees + actual damages
Wrongful Eviction
Statutory minimum of $2,500 or 3x actual damages (whichever is greater) + attorney fees + potential punitive damages of $10,000–$50,000+ (Civil Code §1946.2(h))
Notice Violations
Missing AB 1482 disclosure = rent increase is void. Missing exemption notice = property is subject to AB 1482 retroactively.
AB 1482 vs Local Rent Control
33 California cities and counties impose their own rent caps — often far stricter than AB 1482. When a local ordinance applies, the stricter cap governs.
| City | Local Cap | AB 1482 Cap | Which Applies? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 0.8% | ~6.3% | Local (stricter) |
| Berkeley | 1.0% | ~6.3% | Local (stricter) |
| San Francisco | 1.7% | ~6.3% | Local (stricter) |
| Los Angeles | 3.0% | ~8.7% | Local (stricter) |
| San Jose | 5.0% | ~6.3% | Local (stricter) |
| Sacramento | None | 7.6% | AB 1482 only |
Calculate Your Maximum Rent Increase
Enter your region and current rent to get your exact AB 1482 cap. Uses current BLS data. Free, no signup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my single-family home exempt from AB 1482?
Potentially — but only if two conditions are met: (1) the owner is not a corporation, REIT, or LLC with a corporate member, and (2) the owner provided the tenant with a written exemption notice using the exact statutory language from Civil Code §1946.2(e). If you did not give the notice, the exemption does not apply — even if the property would otherwise qualify. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes California landlords make.
Does AB 1482 apply to vacant units or new tenancies?
AB 1482 does not restrict the initial rent you charge a new tenant. Vacancy decontrol applies — when a tenant voluntarily vacates, you may set any rent for the next tenancy. The cap only applies to increases during an existing tenancy. However, some local ordinances (LA, SF, Oakland) may impose vacancy control or restrict initial rents. Always check local rules.
What if I already exceeded the AB 1482 rent cap?
Roll back the rent to the legal maximum immediately and refund all excess rent collected going back to the date of the violation. The law does not distinguish intentional from accidental violations — penalties apply regardless. Your tenant can sue to recover excess rent, attorney fees, and actual damages. Proactively correcting the error before a complaint is filed may reduce exposure, but does not eliminate liability.
Written by Rachid Abadli
Sacramento-based landlord and founder of LeaseBase
This guide is based on California Civil Code §1946.2, §1947.12, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), AB 12 (2024 extension), and current CPI data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last verified against the California Legislative Information database on August 4, 2026.
AB 1482 Resources
AB 1482 Rent Cap Calculator
Calculate your maximum allowable rent increase using current CPI data.
Calculate now →Just Cause Eviction Guide
All 10 legal grounds, notice requirements, and relocation assistance rules.
Read the guide →AB 1482 Notice Templates
Free copy-paste notice templates with correct statutory language.
Get templates →Penalties & Violations
What happens when you violate AB 1482 — costs, damages, and how to fix it.
See penalties →AB 1482 FAQ
25 questions California landlords ask about rent caps, exemptions, and just cause.
Read FAQ →Rent Control by City
Searchable database of all 33 California cities with local rent caps.
Search cities →AB 1482 Exemptions Guide
All 7 exemption categories with documentation checklists.
Check exemptions →AB 1482 vs Local Rent Control
Side-by-side comparison — which cap applies to your property?
Compare caps →CA Landlord Compliance Checklist
Every law, deadline, and form California landlords need in 2026.
Read checklist →Rent Increase Notice Requirements
30-day vs 90-day rules, required language, and proper service methods.
Read the rules →Stay compliant without the guesswork
LeaseBase™ automatically tracks rent caps, notice periods, and compliance deadlines for every unit in your portfolio.
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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent cap rates, exemption rules, and eviction requirements vary by jurisdiction and change periodically. Consult a qualified California real estate attorney for guidance on your specific situation.