San Bernardino, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in San Bernardino, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Annual Cap
- 5% plus CPI, max 10%
- Just Cause Trigger
- After 12 months tenancy
- Relocation Payment
- One month rent for no-fault
- Corporate-Owned
- Single-family covered
- New Construction
- Exempt under 15 years
Summary
San Bernardino has no local rent stabilization, but AB 1482 (Civil Code 1947.12) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI (max 10%) and imposes just cause eviction.
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
2 (just cause). 12 annual rent increases are limited to 5 percent plus the change in CPI, not to exceed 10 percent in a 12-month period, measured over any 12-month window. Only one increase per 12 months is allowed, and increases over 10 percent require at least 90 days written notice. 2 landlords must have just cause to terminate a tenancy after the tenant has occupied the unit for 12 months (or 24 months if additional tenants were added). At-fault just cause includes nonpayment of rent, breach of a material lease term, nuisance, and criminal activity.
No-fault just cause includes owner move-in for family members, substantial remodel or demolition, withdrawal from the rental market under the Ellis Act (Gov Code 7060), and government order to vacate. No-fault termination requires relocation assistance of one month's rent paid to the tenant. Exempt units include single-family homes and condos not owned by a corporation or REIT (when the tenant receives a proper exemption notice), new construction under 15 years old, and owner-occupied duplexes where the owner resides in one unit. Section 8 housing vouchers are subject to separate federal rules. 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my San Bernardino landlord raise my rent 15 percent?
Does San Bernardino have its own rent control ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
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Rent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle rent control.