Rent control rules in Berkeley, CA β also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances β limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
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.
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.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting lawn ornaments, statues, or yard art on private property. HOA architectural guidelines under the Davis-Stirling ...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting inflatable holiday decorations on private property. HOA architectural rules under the Davis-Stirling Act apply i...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting holiday lights on private residential property. Restrictions come from HOA architectural rules under the Davis-S...
Berkeley, CA
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Berkeley require building, plumbing, electrical, and/or gas permits under BMC Chapter 19.28 (Building Code) when they include u...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley treats outdoor smokers as open-flame cooking devices under California Fire Code 308.1.4 as adopted in BMC 19.48. Multifamily balcony setbacks (10 ft...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted in BMC Chapter 19.48. CFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking on combustible balconies or within...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle rent control.
See how Berkeley's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.