AB 1482 Rent Cap 2026-27: State Formula vs. Your City's Stricter Rule
Most competitor calculators only run the state formula and bolt on a handful of cities as an afterthought. The two layers interact, and getting the order wrong overstates what's legal.
AB 1482's statewide formula is 5% plus the regional CPI change, capped at 10% total. For the period covering August 2026 through July 2027, that works out to roughly 8.7% in the LA/Orange County region and 8.8% in the SF/Bay Area region. But that's only the statewide ceiling — if your city has its own rent control ordinance with a lower cap, the city's number is the one that actually binds, not the state's.
The state formula, region by region
AB 1482 doesn't use one number statewide — it's 5% plus the Consumer Price Index change for your specific metro region, capped at 10%. For the current covered period, the resulting percentages are:
- Los Angeles / Orange County: 8.7%
- San Francisco / Bay Area: 8.8%
- San Diego: 8.2%
- Riverside / San Bernardino: 8.1%
These percentages reset with each new covered period as regional CPI changes, which is exactly why a rent-cap calculator that hardcodes last year's number silently goes stale.
Why the state number often isn't the real answer
Several California cities layer their own, stricter rent control ordinance on top of AB 1482, and whichever cap is lower for the tenant is the one that actually applies — a city ordinance can only tighten the state ceiling, never loosen it. A few examples of just how far below the state formula some cities land:
- Los Angeles: 3% under the LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance, versus 8.7% under the state formula for the same region.
- Oakland: 2.3% under Oakland's Rent Adjustment Program.
- Berkeley: 1% under the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board.
- San Francisco: 1.6% under the SF Rent Board's annual allowable increase notice.
- Santa Monica: 2.6%, additionally capped at a flat $70/month — whichever of the two is lower.
In every one of these cities, a landlord citing "the state allows up to 8.7%" is citing the wrong number for that tenancy — the local ordinance is what actually governs.
Notice periods and exemptions still matter
Regardless of which cap applies, California law requires 30 days' notice for an increase under 10%, and 90 days' notice for an increase of 10% or more. AB 1482 also exempts certain properties entirely — including many single-family homes with proper notice and buildings less than 15 years old — so the percentage caps above only matter once you've confirmed the tenancy is actually covered.
Get your exact number
Our AB 1482 Rent Increase Calculator checks both layers automatically — the regional state formula and any stricter city ordinance — and tells you which one actually binds for your address, plus the required notice period and any exemption flags.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AB 1482 rent increase cap right now?
The statewide formula is 5% plus the regional Consumer Price Index change, capped at 10% total. For the current covered period, that works out to roughly 8.1%-8.8% depending on region.
Can my landlord raise rent by the full AB 1482 percentage even if my city has rent control?
No. If your city has its own rent control ordinance with a stricter (lower) cap, the local ordinance controls, not the state formula. AB 1482 sets a statewide ceiling; a city can set a lower one, but never a higher one.
How much notice does my landlord need to give for a rent increase?
30 days' notice for an increase under 10%, and 90 days' notice for an increase of 10% or more, regardless of whether the state or a local cap applies.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rent control law is fact-specific — confirm your exact cap and exemption status with your city's rent board or a tenant/landlord attorney.