East Palo Alto Rent Control
2% allowable increase · Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 · AB 1482 fallback 8.8%
The allowable increase for covered units is 2% (Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027). East Palo Alto's rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before January 1, 1988. 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: 8.8% for the San Francisco / Bay Area region (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027).
East Palo Alto Rent Increase Calculator
Local cap vs. AB 1482 in East Palo Alto
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 Jan 1, 1988 | East Palo Alto ordinance | 2% | $2,550 |
| 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) | 8.8% | $2,720 |
| 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 | — |
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 East Palo Alto's own ordinance. Elsewhere, AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months of tenancy. |
|---|---|
| Relocation assistance (no-fault evictions) | Ellis Act and demolition evictions: $7,500 (under 2 years) or $10,000 (2+ years), plus up to $5,000 more for qualifying households. |
| Rental registration | Required for covered units, usually with an annual per-unit fee. |
| Official source | East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View | 6 mi | 2.5% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| Hayward | 11 mi | 5% | Jul 1, 1979 |
| Alameda | 20 mi | 2.7% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| San Jose | 21 mi | 5% | Sep 7, 1979 |
| Oakland | 21 mi | 2.3% | Jan 1, 1983 |
East Palo Alto's 2% 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 East Palo Alto?
The allowable increase for covered units is 2% (Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027). Units the local cap doesn't cover usually fall under the statewide AB 1482 cap: 8.8% for the San Francisco / Bay Area region (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027).
Which rentals are covered by East Palo Alto's rent control?
East Palo Alto's rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before January 1, 1988. 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 East Palo Alto have just-cause eviction protection?
Yes. East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto?
Ellis Act and demolition evictions: $7,500 (under 2 years) or $10,000 (2+ years), plus up to $5,000 more for qualifying households.
Do landlords have to register rental units in East Palo Alto?
Yes. East Palo Alto requires landlords of covered units to register them with the rent program, and usually to pay an annual per-unit fee.
Sources
- East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto rent program or a tenant or landlord attorney.