Santa Clara County, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Santa Clara County, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Law
- AB 1482 state rent cap
- Formula
- 5% + CPI, max 10% annual
- Metro CPI 2024
- Roughly 8.6% allowed
- Exemptions
- SFH, new construction under 15 yrs
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County follows California AB 1482 statewide rent cap (5 percent plus CPI, max 10 percent) with no local rent control ordinance.
(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. (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.
Full Breakdown
12. AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5 percent plus the local CPI, or 10 percent total, whichever is lower. 6 percent. AB 1482 applies to most rental housing over 15 years old, but exempts single-family homes and condos when owned by non-corporate owners who provide proper notice, new construction under 15 years old, duplexes where the owner occupies one unit, and subsidized housing. The county itself has not enacted local rent control beyond state law, unlike San Jose and Mountain View which have municipal rent stabilization.
Tenants in unincorporated Santa Clara County receiving illegal over-the-cap increases can file complaints with the California Department of Real Estate or seek legal aid through the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Santa Clara County have stronger rent control than state law?
Is my rental covered by AB 1482?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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