Santa Monica Rent Control
2.6% allowable increase · Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 · AB 1482 fallback 8.7%
The allowable increase for covered units is 2.6% (Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027). Santa Monica's rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before April 10, 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: 8.7% for the Los Angeles / Orange County region (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027).
Santa Monica Rent Increase Calculator
Local cap vs. AB 1482 in Santa Monica
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 Apr 10, 1979 | Santa Monica ordinance | 2.6% | $2,565 |
| 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 | — |
Also capped at $70 a month for units with a maximum allowable rent of $2,674 or more. The 1979 coverage date is the commonly cited cutoff; confirm your building with the Rent Control Board.
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 Monica's own ordinance. Elsewhere, AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months of tenancy. |
|---|---|
| Relocation assistance (no-fault evictions) | Permanent relocation (from July 1, 2026): $20,500 (single) to $41,900 (2+ bedrooms with a senior, disabled person or minor). |
| Rental registration | Required for covered units, usually with an annual per-unit fee. |
| Official source | Santa Monica 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 Monica
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 5 mi | 3% | Oct 1, 1978 |
| Culver City | 6 mi | 3.25% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| Beverly Hills | 7 mi | 3.6% | Feb 1, 1995 |
| West Hollywood | 9 mi | 2.75% | Jul 1, 1979 |
| Inglewood | 10 mi | 3.7% | Rolling: 15 years old |
Santa Monica's 2.6% 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 Santa Monica?
The allowable increase for covered units is 2.6% (Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027). Also capped at $70 a month for units with a maximum allowable rent of $2,674 or more. The 1979 coverage date is the commonly cited cutoff; confirm your building with the Rent Control Board. 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 Monica's rent control?
Santa Monica's rent cap covers units in multifamily buildings first occupied before April 10, 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 Santa Monica have just-cause eviction protection?
Yes. Santa Monica 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 Monica?
Permanent relocation (from July 1, 2026): $20,500 (single) to $41,900 (2+ bedrooms with a senior, disabled person or minor).
Do landlords have to register rental units in Santa Monica?
Yes. Santa Monica requires landlords of covered units to register them with the rent program, and usually to pay an annual per-unit fee.
Sources
- Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica rent program or a tenant or landlord attorney.