Riverside, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Riverside, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- State Law
- AB 1482. Tenant Protection Act
- Rent Cap
- 5% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less
- Local Ordinance
- No separate local rent control
- Exemptions
- Single-family homes (with notice), new construction
- Notice
- Landlords must provide AB 1482 notice
Summary
California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) applies to most rental properties in Riverside built more than 15 years ago. The law caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the local CPI or 10%, whichever is less. Riverside does not have a separate local rent control ordinance. Exempt properties include qualifying single-family homes, new construction less than 15 years old, and certain owner-occupied duplexes.
(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. [...] (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. [...] (d) This section shall not apply to the following residential real properties: [...] (4) Housing that has been issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years.
Full Breakdown
Riverside may participate in state-authorized rent regulation programs. Where applicable, annual rent increases are capped at a percentage, often tied to Consumer Price Index plus a fixed amount. Rent-controlled units typically include older buildings built before a certain date. New construction is usually exempt. Landlords must provide proper notice before increasing rent. Tenants in controlled units have additional protections against displacement. Local rent boards may mediate disputes between landlords and tenants. Just cause eviction protections often accompany rent stabilization programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Riverside have rent control?
Is my Riverside rental covered by AB 1482?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Rent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle rent control.