Bell Gardens Rent Control
1.5% allowable increase · Nov 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026 · AB 1482 fallback 8.7%
The allowable increase for covered units is 1.5% (Nov 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026). Bell Gardens' rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before February 1, 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt from local caps under the state Costa-Hawkins Act. Units the local cap doesn't cover usually fall under the statewide AB 1482 cap: 8.7% for the Los Angeles / Orange County region (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027).
Bell Gardens Rent Increase Calculator
Local cap vs. AB 1482 in Bell Gardens
Which limit applies depends on the building, not the tenant:
| Rental | Rule | Maximum yearly increase | On $2,500 rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit in a multifamily building first occupied before Feb 1, 1995 | Bell Gardens ordinance | 1.5% | $2,538 |
| Newer multifamily unit, or a single-family home or condo owned by a corporation, more than 15 years old | AB 1482 (Civil Code 1947.12) | 8.7% | $2,718 |
| Built within the last 15 years; or a single-family home or condo owned by an individual whose lease has the exemption notice | No cap | None | — |
Lesser of 50% of CPI or 4%. The coverage date and the effective window come from secondary sources.
A landlord must give written notice before raising the rent: 30 days for an increase of 10% or less over 12 months, 90 days for more (Civil Code 827).
Eviction, relocation and registration rules
| Just cause for eviction | Yes, under Bell Gardens' own ordinance. Elsewhere, AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months of tenancy. |
|---|---|
| Relocation assistance (no-fault evictions) | We have not confirmed Bell Gardens' relocation amounts on an official city page. Where AB 1482 applies instead, a no-fault eviction requires relocation help equal to one month's rent, paid within 15 days of the notice (Civil Code 1946.2(d)). |
| Rental registration | Required for covered units, usually with an annual per-unit fee. |
| Official source | Bell Gardens rent program |
No-fault reasons include an owner or relative moving in, taking the building off the rental market (Ellis Act), a government order to vacate and a substantial remodel. At-fault reasons such as unpaid rent or a lease violation don't require a relocation payment.
Rent control near Bell Gardens
The 5 closest cities with their own rent caps. Each city's ordinance stops at its limits, so moving a few miles can change which cap applies.
| City | Distance | Allowable increase | Covers buildings from before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inglewood | 11 mi | 3.7% | Rolling: 15 years old |
| Baldwin Park | 13 mi | 3.7% | Jan 1, 1995 |
| Pasadena | 14 mi | 2.5% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| Culver City | 14 mi | 3.25% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| West Hollywood | 15 mi | 2.75% | Jul 1, 1979 |
Bell Gardens' 1.5% is lower than every nearby cap shown. Caps are set on different schedules, so compare the dates too.
Rent control in all 22 California cities and counties with a local cap →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum rent increase in Bell Gardens?
The allowable increase for covered units is 1.5% (Nov 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026). Lesser of 50% of CPI or 4%. The coverage date and the effective window come from secondary sources. Units the local cap doesn't cover usually fall under the statewide AB 1482 cap: 8.7% for the Los Angeles / Orange County region (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027).
Which rentals are covered by Bell Gardens' rent control?
Bell Gardens' rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before February 1, 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt from local caps under the state Costa-Hawkins Act. Costa-Hawkins also keeps local caps off buildings with a certificate of occupancy after February 1, 1995. Housing built within the last 15 years is exempt from AB 1482 as well.
Does Bell Gardens have just-cause eviction protection?
Yes. Bell Gardens has its own just-cause eviction rules, so a landlord needs one of the reasons the ordinance lists to end a tenancy. Where they don't reach a unit, AB 1482's just-cause rules apply once a tenant has lived there 12 months.
How much relocation assistance do tenants get in Bell Gardens?
We have not confirmed Bell Gardens' relocation amounts on an official city page. Where AB 1482 applies instead, a no-fault eviction requires relocation help equal to one month's rent, paid within 15 days of the notice (Civil Code 1946.2(d)).
Do landlords have to register rental units in Bell Gardens?
Yes. Bell Gardens requires landlords of covered units to register them with the rent program, and usually to pay an annual per-unit fee.
Sources
- Bell Gardens rent program (allowable increase, coverage, relocation)
- California Civil Code 1947.12 (AB 1482 rent cap), 1946.2 (just cause and relocation), 1954.52 (Costa-Hawkins) and 827 (notice of increase)
Educational information only, not legal advice. Rent ordinances have exemptions, banking rules and petition processes this page doesn't cover. Confirm your unit's status with the Bell Gardens rent program or a tenant or landlord attorney.