Berkeley, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Berkeley, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Adopted
- 1980 (pre-Costa-Hawkins)
- 2024 AGA
- 2.3%
- Coverage
- Pre-June 1980 multifamily
- Just cause
- Citywide all units
- Enforcement
- Rent Stabilization Board
Summary
Berkeley has one of the nation strongest Rent Stabilization Ordinances (adopted 1980) with annual AGA increases, just-cause eviction, and registration; enforced by the elected Rent Stabilization Board.
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 prior to the effective date of the increase. (2) The gross rental rate for the unit shall not be increased in more than two increments over that 12-month period.
Full Breakdown
Berkeley Rent Stabilization Ordinance (BMC Chapter 13.76) adopted 1980 is one of the strongest in California. Covered units include most multifamily dwellings built before June 1980 (Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act exempts post-1995 construction, single-family homes, and condos from price controls but just-cause eviction applies citywide). The elected nine-member Rent Stabilization Board sets Annual General Adjustment (AGA) increases typically 65 percent of CPI - 2024 AGA was 2.3 percent. Vacancy decontrol applies (landlord may set new rent) but then restabilizes. Just-cause eviction under BMC 13.76 requires specific grounds including nonpayment, breach, nuisance, or owner move-in with relocation payments. All rental units must register annually and pay a per-unit fee funding the Board. Statewide AB 1482 (2019) also applies to exempt units providing 5 percent plus CPI cap and statewide just cause. Tenants can petition for rent reductions due to habitability issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berkeley
California rules heatmap·Compare Berkeley to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Rent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle rent control.