San Bernardino County, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in San Bernardino County, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Local Rule
- None
- State Cap
- CPI+5%, max 10%
- AB 1482
- Civ Code 1946.2/1947.12
- Age Exempt
- Under 15 years
Summary
Unincorporated San Bernardino County has no local rent control, but California AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) imposes a statewide cap of CPI plus 5% annually (maximum 10%) on most rental units over 15 years old.
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. In determining the lowest gross rental amount pursuant to this section, any rent discounts, incentives, concessions, or credits offered by the owner of such unit of residential real property and accepted by the tenant shall be excluded. The gross per-month rental rate and any owner-offered discounts, incentives, concessions, or credits shall be separately listed and identified in the lease or rental agreement or any amendments to an existing lease or rental agreement.
(2) If the same tenant remains in occupancy of a unit of residential real property over any 12-month period, the gross rental rate for the unit of residential real property shall not be increased in more than two increments over that 12-month period, subject to the other restrictions of this subdivision governing gross rental rate increase.
(b) For a new tenancy in which no tenant from the prior tenancy remains in lawful possession of the residential real property, the owner may establish the initial rental rate not subject to subdivision (a). Subdivision (a) is only applicable to subsequent increases after that initial rental rate has been established.
Full Breakdown
San Bernardino County has not adopted local rent control for its unincorporated areas. However, the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code 1946.2 and 1947.12, applies statewide including unincorporated San Bernardino County. AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at the lesser of 5% plus regional CPI or 10% total, for qualifying units. The law exempts single-family homes and condos not owned by corporations (with proper notice), duplexes where owner occupies one unit, and housing built within the last 15 years (rolling exemption). Landlords must provide written notice of AB 1482 applicability. Incorporated cities within the county (San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Redlands, Chino) generally follow AB 1482 unless they have adopted local ordinances: most have not added stricter rent control. State law preemption via Costa-Hawkins (Civil Code 1954.50) limits local rent control to pre-1995 buildings with certain exemptions.
Violations & Fines
Rent increase exceeding AB 1482 cap: tenant may sue for actual damages, attorney fees, and potentially treble damages for willful violations. Landlord must refund excess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there rent control in unincorporated San Bernardino County?
How much can my landlord raise rent in San Bernardino County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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