Santa Ana Rent Control
2.87% allowable increase · Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 · AB 1482 fallback 8.7%
The allowable increase for covered units is 2.87% (Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027). Santa Ana's 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).
Santa Ana Rent Increase Calculator
Local cap vs. AB 1482 in Santa Ana
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 | Santa Ana ordinance | 2.87% | $2,572 |
| 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 | — |
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 Santa Ana's own ordinance. Elsewhere, AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months of tenancy. |
|---|---|
| Relocation assistance (no-fault evictions) | No-fault evictions: three months' rent in relocation assistance, or a waiver of the final three months' rent. |
| Rental registration | Required for covered units, usually with an annual per-unit fee. |
| Official source | Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Gardens | 22 mi | 1.5% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| Pomona | 23 mi | 5% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| Baldwin Park | 24 mi | 3.7% | Jan 1, 1995 |
| Inglewood | 31 mi | 3.7% | Rolling: 15 years old |
| Pasadena | 33 mi | 2.5% | Feb 1, 1995 |
Santa Ana's 2.87% 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 Santa Ana?
The allowable increase for covered units is 2.87% (Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027). 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 Santa Ana's rent control?
Santa Ana's 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 Santa Ana have just-cause eviction protection?
Yes. Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana?
No-fault evictions: three months' rent in relocation assistance, or a waiver of the final three months' rent.
Do landlords have to register rental units in Santa Ana?
Yes. Santa Ana requires landlords of covered units to register them with the rent program, and usually to pay an annual per-unit fee.
Sources
- Santa Ana rent program (allowable increase, coverage)
- Santa Ana relocation rules (relocation amounts, checked September 30, 2026)
- 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 Santa Ana rent program or a tenant or landlord attorney.