California Rent Control? If you own a rental property in San Diego, California’s AB 1482—the Tenant Protection Act—is one of the most important laws you need to understand. Search volume for rent control information in San Diego is growing fast, which tells us two things: more tenants know their rights, and more landlords are realizing they need to know theirs.
This post is not legal advice. It’s an overview to help you understand the landscape and ask the right questions. For anything specific to your property, consult a qualified attorney or work with a professional property management company.
What Is AB 1482?
AB 1482, which took effect January 1, 2020, established two major protections for tenants in California: an annual rent increase cap and just cause eviction requirements. Both apply statewide to covered units—which, in San Diego, is a significant portion of the rental housing stock.
The Rent Control Increase Cap
For covered units, AB 1482 limits rent increases to 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, with a maximum cap of 10% per year—regardless of how much the CPI rises. This limit applies to increases in any 12-month period, not just at renewal time.
For context, if San Diego’s CPI is running around 3.5%, the maximum allowable increase for a covered unit would be 8.5% for that year. Increases above that threshold—even with proper notice—violate the law and can expose owners to significant liability. For rent increases that take effect on Aug. 01, 2026 through July 31, 2027, the allowable increase is 8.2% Most up to date information can be found here.
Just Cause Eviction Requirements
For tenants who have lived in a covered unit for 12 months or more, landlords must have a qualifying reason—”just cause”—to terminate tenancy. These fall into two categories:
At-fault just cause (tenant has done something wrong):
- Nonpayment of rent
- Lease violation after written notice and opportunity to cure
- Illegal activity on the premises
- Subletting without permission
- Refusing landlord access after proper notice
No-fault just cause (owner’s decision, not tenant’s behavior):
- Owner or immediate family member move-in
- Substantial renovation requiring vacancy
- Intent to withdraw the unit from the rental market
For no-fault terminations, landlords are generally required to pay the tenant one month’s rent as relocation assistance. Skipping this step is one of the most common and costly compliance mistakes we see.
What’s Exempt From Rent Control or AB 1482?
Not all San Diego rentals are covered. Key exemptions include:
- Single-family homes and condos—IF the owner provides a specific AB 1482 exemption notice in the lease AND the property is not owned by a corporation, REIT, or LLC where one member is a corporation
- Properties built within the last 15 years (the “new construction” exemption moves forward each year)
- Owner-occupied duplexes where the owner lives in one of the two units
- Properties already subject to a local rent control ordinance that provides equal or greater protections
The single-family exemption is one of the most misunderstood parts of the law. Owning a single-family home does NOT automatically exempt you—you must have the correct notice in the lease. If that notice is missing or improperly worded, the unit may be treated as covered.
Why This Matters More in 2026
In a softer rental market, tenant turnover is more expensive—and the cost of a compliance mistake is higher. An unlawful eviction or improper rent increase notice can result in penalties, tenant reinstatement, and attorney fee awards that far exceed whatever the owner was trying to accomplish.
At FBS Property Management, compliance is woven into everything we do. We track rent increase eligibility by unit, maintain proper documentation on every lease, and handle notices according to California law. We also stay current as the law evolves—because in California, it always does.
If you’re not sure whether your property is covered by AB 1482, or if your leases have the right language, reach out. It’s worth knowing.
