Rent control rules in Arcata, CA — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
California limits annual rent increases statewide to 5% plus the local change in the cost of living, capped at 10%, under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB-1482). It also lets cities and counties enact their own stricter rent-control ordinances, subject to the limits of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
Under Civil Code § 1947.12, a landlord cannot raise rent over a 12-month period by more than 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, measured against the lowest rent in the prior 12 months. The statewide cap exempts housing issued a certificate of occupancy within the last 15 years and single-family homes or condos alienable separate from any other unit when owned by an individual (with proper notice). On top of this, California permits local rent-control ordinances, and cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco set lower caps. But the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civ. Code §§ 1954.50 et seq.) limits those local laws: it exempts single-family homes, condos, and units first occupied after February 1, 1995, and lets owners reset rent to market on a new tenancy.
A tenant charged above the lawful AB-1482 cap or a stricter local cap can demand a refund of the overcharge and a rollback; the excess increase is void. Local rent boards and city attorneys enforce municipal ordinances, and tenants may sue, sometimes for treble damages.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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