AB 1482 Explained: California Rent Control Rules San Diego Landlords Need to Know
A clear, practical breakdown of the Tenant Protection Act: what it covers, what it doesn’t, and what it means for your San Diego rental property.
Jan 1, 2030
If you own rental property in San Diego, AB 1482 is one of the most important laws you need to understand. Passed in 2019 and effective since January 1, 2020, the California Tenant Protection Act limits how much rent you can increase and under what circumstances you can remove a tenant. Getting it wrong carries real financial and legal consequences.
This guide breaks it down in plain language so you can make informed decisions about your property.
To start: What Is AB 1482?
AB 1482, also known as the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, is a statewide law that does two things: it caps annual rent increases and it requires landlords to have a legitimate reason (“just cause”) before terminating a tenancy. It applies to most residential rental properties across California (including most of San Diego County) with important exceptions.
The law is set to sunset on January 1, 2030, unless extended by the legislature.
“The goal isn’t the highest rent. It’s the highest sustainable rent — the number that keeps strong tenants in place and keeps your income growing year over year.” |
How the Rent Cap Works
Under AB 1482, landlords cannot increase rent by more than a set formula in any 12-month period.
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE ANNUAL RENT INCREASE 5% + Local CPI ≤ 10%CPI is based on the Consumer Price Index for your region, updated each April. The total increase can never exceed 10% regardless of CPI. |
The CPI figure is calculated each April, and new limits take effect on August 1 of each year, running through July 31 of the following year.
Current San Diego Rent Cap (2025 to 2026)
San Diego County — Aug 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026 | |
Base increase (state minimum) | 5.0% |
San Diego CPI adjustment (March 2025) | + 3.8% |
Maximum allowable rent increase | 8.8% |
For context, the prior period (August 2024 to July 2025) was capped at 8.6%, based on a 3.6% CPI adjustment. The cap varies year to year as inflation data changes, which is why it’s important to verify the current figure before issuing any rent increase notice.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLEIf your tenant pays $2,000/month and the current cap is 8.8%, the maximum increase allowed is $176/month, bringing rent to $2,176. Any increase beyond that amount would violate state law and expose you to liability including actual and punitive damages, plus attorney fees (a consequence added to the law in April 2024). |
Important Rules to Know
- Two increases per year maximum: AB 1482 allows landlords to raise rent up to twice in a 12-month period, but the combined total cannot exceed the annual cap.
- No compounding within the year: The cap applies to the total increase across the 12-month period, not each individual notice.
- 30-day written notice required: Since the AB 1482 cap is always below 10%, all compliant increases require at least 30 days’ written notice to the tenant.
- Anti-price gouging rules can apply separately: Even properties exempt from AB 1482 may be subject to rent increase limits (capped at 10%) when a state or local emergency is declared, such as during wildfire emergencies.
Which Properties Are Covered?
AB 1482 applies to most residential rental properties in California, but there are meaningful exemptions. The distinction between covered and exempt properties is one of the most common areas of confusion for San Diego landlords.
✓ GENERALLY COVERED
| ✗ GENERALLY EXEMPT
|
If your property qualifies for an exemption, particularly single-family homes and condos, you must provide tenants with a written California AB 1482 Notice of Exemption. Failure to deliver this notice may mean the property is treated as covered, even if it legally qualifies for an exemption. |
IMPORTANT: EXEMPTIONS ARE NOT AUTOMATICJust Cause Eviction Requirements
AB 1482 doesn’t just cap rent, it also requires landlords to have a qualifying reason to terminate a tenancy for tenants who have lived in the unit for more than 12 months. You cannot simply choose not to renew a lease without cause.
Just cause reasons fall into two categories:
AT-FAULT JUST CAUSE
- Nonpayment of rent
- Breach of lease terms (after written notice to cure)
- Criminal activity on or near the property
- Subletting without permission
- Refusal to sign a comparable lease upon renewal
NO-FAULT JUST CAUSE
- Owner move-in (subject to strict requirements and notice)
- Substantial remodel (requiring permits, significant work)
- Withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act)
- Government order to vacate
No-fault terminations typically require relocation assistance equal to one month’s rent. The City of San Diego also has its own Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO) that adds additional requirements, including mandatory notifications and specific language in termination notices. If you own property within San Diego city limits, you must comply with both state and local rules.
Notice Requirements at a Glance
Situation | Required Notice |
Rent increase under 10% | 30 days written notice |
Rent increase of 10% or more (rare edge cases) | 90 days written notice |
No-fault eviction (termination of tenancy) | Varies; relocation assistance required |
Exempt property notification | Written exemption notice in or with rental agreement |
City of San Diego properties (TPO) | Additional city-specific language required |
Common Mistakes San Diego Landlords Make
- Applying a large catch-up increase after years without raising rent. Even if the property is covered under AB 1482, you can only raise rent up to the current cap, not backfill prior years.
- Assuming an exemption applies without issuing a proper notice. Single-family home owners frequently overlook the written exemption disclosure requirement.
- Failing to verify the correct CPI figure for San Diego County. Using the wrong regional index can result in an inadvertently illegal increase.
- Issuing a termination notice without just cause. After 12 months of tenancy, you cannot non-renew a lease without a qualifying reason under AB 1482 and the City of San Diego TPO.
- Ignoring local ordinances. The City of San Diego, Imperial Beach, and Chula Vista each have additional requirements layered on top of AB 1482.
How Mendes Company Helps San Diego Owners Stay Compliant
We monitor California rent control legislation continuously. For every property we manage, we track the applicable rent cap, determine whether an exemption applies, verify the correct CPI figure for that property’s location, and prepare all required notices, including city-specific language for properties inside San Diego city limits.
We also handle the tenant communication directly. How rent increases are framed and delivered matters as much as the number itself. Our approach is transparent, professional, and designed to preserve the tenant relationship so that strong, long-term tenants stay in place.
There is no universal formula. The right increase depends on your tenant, your property type, your neighborhood, and your specific legal situation. We help you find that number, and handle everything that comes with it.
Not Sure What Your Property Can Legally Charge?
Schedule a free consultation and we’ll walk through your specific property, determine your current rent cap, and advise you on the right increase strategy.