Richmond, CA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- Richmond Rent Program registration mandatory
- Local Authority
- Measure L (2016) / RMC Ch. 11.100
- Annual Fee
- Annual rental housing fee per unit
- Just Cause
- Just cause eviction protections apply
- State Law
- AB 1482 state protections also apply
Summary
Richmond mandates rental unit registration with the Richmond Rent Program under the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance (Measure L, 2016), with annual fees and strict disclosure requirements.
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, o
Full Breakdown
100. All residential rental units not otherwise exempt must be registered annually with the Richmond Rent Program. Covered units include most non-exempt rentals built before February 1, 1995 (the Costa-Hawkins cutoff for full rent control), though just-cause eviction protections extend to additional units. Registration includes providing tenant contact information, rent history, and paying an annual rental housing fee (set annually by the Rent Board, paid per unit). Failure to register can result in denial of rent increases, inability to pursue evictions, and civil penalties. Landlords must provide tenants with a written lease, disclose the Richmond Rent Program annually, and provide required notices at tenancy start.
AB 1482 (statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019) provides additional baseline protections including just-cause eviction and anti-gouging caps. Relocation assistance is required for no-fault evictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register my rental in Richmond?
What happens if I don't register?
Is my property rent-controlled?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
California rules heatmap·Compare Richmond to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Rental Registration in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle rental registration.