Carson, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Carson, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Base rent year
- Frozen at May 1, 1979 levels
- Scope
- Mobilehome park spaces only
- CPI increase cap
- Lesser of 8% or 75% of CPI
- Oversight body
- 7-member Rental Review Board
- Penalty
- Treble damages plus misdemeanor charge
Summary
Carson caps mobile home space rent at 1979 levels under a dedicated rent stabilization ordinance -- but this covers only mobilehome park spaces, not general apartment or house rentals.
Except as hereinafter provided, a Park Owner shall not demand, accept, or retain rent for a mobilehome space exceeding the rent in effect for said space on May 1, 1979. If a previously rented mobilehome space was not rented on May 1, 1979, the Park Owner shall not demand, accept, or retain rent for said space exceeding the rent in effect during the last month the space was rented prior to May 1, 1979. If a mobilehome space is rented for the first time after May 1, 1979, the Park Owner shall not demand, accept or retain rent for said space exceeding the rent first charged for the space. No Park Owner shall send a notice containing the specific amount of a proposed rental increase prior to receiving approval of a rent increase from the Board or from the Department Director. Except as herein provided, a Park Owner shall not demand, accept or retain rent exceeding the rent in effect on June 1, 1983, for a mobilehome space that was not regulated by this Section prior to the amendment of this Section on June 20, 1983. If such a mobilehome space was not rented on June 1, 1983, the Park Owner shall not demand, accept or retain rent for said space exceeding the rent in effect during the last month the space was rented prior to June 1, 1983. (Ord. 98-1130 § 6; Ord. 17-1622 § 6; Ord. 83-695U § 2; Ord. 80-504U; Ord. 79-485U)
Full Breakdown
The Mobilehome Space Rent Control Ordinance (Carson Municipal Code §§ 4700-4711) caps what a park owner can charge for a mobilehome space at the rent in effect on May 1, 1979, adjusted only through Board-approved capital-improvement or fair-return increases, or a capped annual CPI increase under § 4704.010. A seven-member Mobilehome Park Rental Review Board hears and decides increase applications. This rent control applies exclusively to mobilehome park spaces -- Carson has no ordinance capping rent for apartments or single-family rentals, which are instead governed by the statewide Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and AB 1482 rent-cap and just-cause rules.
Violations & Fines
Demanding, accepting, or retaining mobilehome space rent above the § 4703 base or an unapproved increase triggers treble damages plus attorneys' fees and is a misdemeanor under CMC § 4708.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carson have rent control for apartments?
How much can a mobile home park raise rent each year?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carson
California rules heatmap·Compare Carson to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Rent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle rent control.