San Francisco Rent Control
1.6% allowable increase · Mar 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 · AB 1482 fallback 8.8%
The allowable increase for covered units is 1.6% (Mar 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027). San Francisco's rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before June 13, 1979. 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).
San Francisco Rent Increase Calculator
Local cap vs. AB 1482 in San Francisco
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 Jun 13, 1979 | San Francisco ordinance | 1.6% | $2,540 |
| 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 San Francisco's own ordinance. Elsewhere, AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months of tenancy. |
|---|---|
| Relocation assistance (no-fault evictions) | Owner move-in, demolition or major rehab (March 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027): $8,245 per tenant, up to $24,733 per unit, plus $5,497 for each senior, disabled or minor-child household. Ellis Act evictions pay more. |
| Rental registration | Required for covered units, usually with an annual per-unit fee. |
| Official source | San Francisco 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 San Francisco
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 40 mi | 1.5% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| Berkeley | 41 mi | 1% | Jun 30, 1980 |
| Alameda | 42 mi | 2.7% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| Oakland | 44 mi | 2.3% | Jan 1, 1983 |
| Hayward | 51 mi | 5% | Jul 1, 1979 |
San Francisco's 1.6% is in the middle of this group: 2 cities allow less and 3 more. 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 San Francisco?
The allowable increase for covered units is 1.6% (Mar 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 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 San Francisco's rent control?
San Francisco's rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before June 13, 1979. 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 San Francisco have just-cause eviction protection?
Yes. San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
Owner move-in, demolition or major rehab (March 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027): $8,245 per tenant, up to $24,733 per unit, plus $5,497 for each senior, disabled or minor-child household. Ellis Act evictions pay more.
Do landlords have to register rental units in San Francisco?
Yes. San Francisco requires landlords of covered units to register them with the rent program, and usually to pay an annual per-unit fee.
Sources
- San Francisco 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 San Francisco rent program or a tenant or landlord attorney.