Rent control rules in Richmond, CA — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
California limits annual rent increases statewide to 5% plus the local change in the cost of living, capped at 10%, under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB-1482). It also lets cities and counties enact their own stricter rent-control ordinances, subject to the limits of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
Under Civil Code § 1947.12, a landlord cannot raise rent over a 12-month period by more than 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, measured against the lowest rent in the prior 12 months. The statewide cap exempts housing issued a certificate of occupancy within the last 15 years and single-family homes or condos alienable separate from any other unit when owned by an individual (with proper notice). On top of this, California permits local rent-control ordinances, and cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco set lower caps. But the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civ. Code §§ 1954.50 et seq.) limits those local laws: it exempts single-family homes, condos, and units first occupied after February 1, 1995, and lets owners reset rent to market on a new tenancy.
A tenant charged above the lawful AB-1482 cap or a stricter local cap can demand a refund of the overcharge and a rollback; the excess increase is void. Local rent boards and city attorneys enforce municipal ordinances, and tenants may sue, sometimes for treble damages.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Richmond, CA
California Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severit...
Richmond, CA
California law requires working smoke alarms in every Richmond dwelling unit, with additional carbon-monoxide detector requirements. All units must have batt...
Richmond, CA
Richmond regulates removal of protected and heritage trees on private property. Permits are typically required before removing native oaks, heritage-designat...
Richmond, CA
Xeriscaping is encouraged in Richmond. Under California Civil Code 4735 and Government Code 53087.7, HOAs and cities cannot prohibit drought-tolerant landsca...
Richmond, CA
All swimming pool and spa drains in Richmond must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and California HSC §115928, requiring...
Richmond, CA
Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 9.32 imposes a juvenile curfew prohibiting minors under 18 from being in public places between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM Sunday-Th...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle rent control.
See how Richmond'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.