Rent control rules in Walnut Creek, 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.
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek restricts RV, boat, and trailer parking in residential zones. These vehicles cannot be stored in front yards or on public streets for extended p...
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek enforces the California Vehicle Code 22651(k) statewide 72-hour street parking limit. Downtown has metered parking and timed zones. Residential ...
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek restricts overnight parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones. Vehicles with commercial plates exceeding specified weight or length li...
Walnut Creek, CA
Properties in Walnut Creek's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and State Responsibility Area — including the city's eastern hills near Mount Diablo and alo...
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek is served by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), both of which enforce permanent statewide water...
Walnut Creek, CA
Noxious weeds on the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner's list — including yellow starthistle, artichoke thistle, and various broom species — must...
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 Walnut Creek'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.