Rent Control: San Jose vs Sunnyvale
How do rent control rules compare between San Jose, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
San Jose and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose's Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO) under SJMC Chapter 17.23 is one of California's strongest local rent control laws. The ARO covers rental units in buildings with 3+ units that received a certificate of occupancy before September 7, 1979. Annual rent increases are capped at 5% of the current rent. Landlords must petition the Rent Stabilization Program for increases exceeding the annual allowable amount. The City also enforces the statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) for units not covered by the local ordinance.
View full San Jose rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Sunnyvale has local Rent Stabilization plus statewide AB 1482 protections. Most multifamily rentals are capped at annual CPI-based increases with just-cause eviction requirements.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | SJMC Chapter 17.23 | - |
| Annual Cap | 5% maximum annual rent increase | - |
| Coverage | Buildings with 3+ units, CoO before Sept 7, 1979 | - |
| Banking | Unused increases may be banked up to 8% cumulative | - |
| State Law | AB 1482 covers units not under local ARO | - |
| Local program | - | Sunnyvale Rent Stabilization |
| State cap | - | AB 1482: 5% + CPI, max 10% |
| Just-cause | - | Required after 12 months |
| Costa-Hawkins | - | Exempts SFR, condo, post-1995 |
| Relocation payment | - | One month rent for no-fault |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
Is my apartment covered by San Jose rent control?
Your unit is covered if it is in a building with 3 or more units that received a certificate of occupancy before September 7, 1979. Single-family homes, condos, and newer buildings are exempt from the local ARO but may be covered by state AB 1482.
What is the maximum rent increase allowed?
Under the San Jose ARO, landlords may increase rent by up to 5% annually. Under state AB 1482, the cap is 5% plus the local CPI change, up to a maximum of 10%.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Is my unit under rent control?
Most pre-1995 multifamily is covered locally; newer units and single-family homes usually fall under AB 1482 only.
How much can my landlord raise rent?
Annual increases are capped at CPI-based rates under local rules or 5% + CPI (max 10%) under AB 1482.
Compare other topics
See how San Jose and Sunnyvale compare on other ordinance categories.
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