Modesto, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Modesto, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Base rent year
- Rent in effect April 30, 2007
- Annual increase cap
- CPI, capped at 6% (§4-19.07(d))
- Program scope
- ~9 parks, ~1,400 spaces (§4-19.01(f))
- Administered by
- Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Administrator
- Fair-return petition
- Decided within 120 days (§4-19.11(q))
- Overcharge penalty
- Up to $500 or 3x damages (§4-19.22(b))
- Registration deadline
- Annually by February 1 (§4-19.19(a))
Summary
Modesto's Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Program caps annual space-rent increases in the City's roughly nine mobile home parks at the Consumer Price Index, with a hard ceiling of 6 percent, under Modesto Code of Ordinances Sections 4-19.06 and 4-19.07. Apartments and single-family rentals are not covered; only mobile home park spaces are rent-stabilized.
No rent in excess of rent in effect on April 30, 2007 may be charged unless authorized by Section 4-19.07 (Automatic Annual Increases), Section 4-19.09 (Passthroughs of Property Tax Increases), Section 4-19.10 (Increases in Order to Provide a Fair Return) of this chapter, or other applicable sections of this chapter. ... (a)Rent Increases in 2007. On or after August 31, 2008, the rent may be increased to an amount equal to the rent in effect as of April 30, 2007 adjusted by one hundred (100) percent of the increase in the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), since April 30, 2007. ... (d)Ceiling on Annual Automatic Rent Increases. The allowable increase pursuant to this section shall not exceed six (6) percent. (f)No Decrease if CPI Decreases. In the event that the CPI decreases, no rent decrease shall be required pursuant to this section. (g)Compliance with State Law. Rent increases permitted pursuant to this section shall not be effective and shall not be demanded, accepted, or retained until the landlord has given the notice required by State law.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
06). 07(f) bars any rent decrease if the CPI falls. 01(f) note the program covers about nine parks and 1,400 spaces, much of it low-income senior housing. 21), government-owned parks, and parks that sign a Memorandum of Understanding offering an Approved Long-Term Lease. 5. 19.
Violations & Fines
Demanding, accepting, or retaining rent above the amounts this chapter allows is unlawful under Section 4-19.21. A resident who is overcharged can sue for damages, and under Section 4-19.22(b) a court may award, at its discretion, an additional penalty of up to $500 or three times the damages, whichever is greater. The City Council may also bring its own civil action to compel a park owner's compliance under Section 4-19.25, and an owner who misses a program administrative-fee deadline by 30 days owes a 20 percent penalty, rising to 50 percent after 90 days, under Section 4-19.24(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Modesto have rent control for apartments?
How much can a mobile home space rent increase each year?
Can a park owner raise rent more than 6 percent?
What happens if a park owner overcharges rent?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
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