Rental Property Rules in San Mateo, CA (2026)
3 verified rental property rules for San Mateo, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
San Mateo does not have a local rent control ordinance. Covered rental properties are subject to California AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act), which caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less. San Mateo County CPI determines the specific cap each year.
San Mateo Rent Control — State Law
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code Sec. 1947.12 (Statewide Annual Rent Cap — 5% + CPI / 10% Max)
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...
Just Cause Eviction
San Mateo adopted an emergency just cause eviction ordinance (Ord. 2019-12) providing local protections that complement AB 1482. Landlords must cite a specific just cause for terminating tenancies of 12+ months. No-fault evictions require one month's rent as relocation assistance.
San Mateo Just Cause Eviction Protections
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Civil Code Sec. 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act — Just Cause Eviction)
1946.2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously ...
Rental Registration
San Mateo does not require a separate rental property registration program. Landlords must obtain a city business license. The city follows state law habitability requirements. Code Enforcement handles complaints about rental property conditions.
San Mateo Rental Property Registration
Few RestrictionsCal. Civil Code Sec. 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act — Annual Rent Increase Limits)
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...
Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Mateo city rules.
Rental Property Rules in San Mateo County →