Which law applies in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica Rent Control Law (Santa Monica City Charter Art. XVIII; Rent Control Board Resolution 26-001): Most residential rental buildings constructed before April 10, 1979; some later units are also covered. Some condos and single-family homes aren't subject to the rent limits, depending on the unit's history. Owner-occupied buildings of 1–3 units are exempt per the AG chart. Vacancy decontrol: new tenancies since 1999 start at market rent.
Covered units: up to 2.6% (and no more than $70 a month when the rent is $2,674 or more), one increase per 12 months, for increases taking effect Sep 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2027.
The cap applies to the unit's Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) registered with the Rent Control Board.
Before you raise rent in Santa Monica:
- The cap applies to the unit's registered Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR), not necessarily the rent you charge. Look it up with the Rent Control Board.
- The tenancy must have started before September 1, 2025 to get the 2026 General Adjustment.
- All Rent Control registration fees and penalties must be paid and the tenancy registered.
- No uncorrected health, safety, or housing citations on the property.
Units the ordinance doesn't cover usually fall under AB 1482: up to 8.7% for increases taking effect Aug 1, 2026 – Jul 31, 2027, unless an exemption applies.
Rules checked against Santa Monica's official pages, Oct 21, 2026
Check the address first. The city in a mailing address isn't always the city that governs the property, and boundaries change through annexation. Unincorporated areas follow County rules, where older buildings with 2+ units have a 1.919% cap.
How much notice to give
Under Civil Code 827, give at least 30 days' notice if the increase, together with any others in the past 12 months, is 10% or less. Above 10%, give 90 days.
Questions about Santa Monica
How much can I raise rent in Santa Monica in 2026?
For units covered by Rent Control Law, up to 2.6% for increases taking effect Sep 1, 2026 through Aug 31, 2027. Other units usually fall under AB 1482, which allows up to 8.7% for increases taking effect Aug 1, 2026 through Jul 31, 2027.
How much notice do I have to give?
30 days if the total increase over the past 12 months is 10% or less, and 90 days if it is more than 10% (Civil Code 827).
Sources
- Santa Monica Rent Control: Maximum Lawful Rent (2026 General Adjustment) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- Santa Monica Rent Control: Owning Rental Property in Santa Monica (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- CA Attorney General - Limits on Rent Increases (local ordinance chart) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- LA County Auditor-Controller - 88 Cities Served by the County (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- LA County DCBA - Rent Increases (accessed Oct 18, 2026)
- Cal. Civil Code 1947.12 (text read via california.public.law mirror) (accessed Oct 18, 2026)
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