San Francisco · City ordinance
1.6%
The allowable annual rent increase for rent-controlled units in San Francisco is 1.6%, effective March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
The annual allowable increase for rent-controlled units, once every 12 months on the tenant's anniversary date.
Each figure runs March 1 to the end of February the following year.
Source: San Francisco Rent Board (Allowable Annual Rent Increases (Document 571)).
| Period | Allowed | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2.2% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2018 | 1.6% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2019 | 2.6% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2020 | 1.8% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2021 | 0.7% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2022 | 2.3% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2023 | 3.6% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2024 | 1.7% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2025 | 1.4% | San Francisco Rent Board |
| 2026 | 1.6% | San Francisco Rent Board |
Recent changes
The Rent Board's allowed annual increase is 1.6% for March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
Official source: San Francisco Rent Board (sf.gov): Learn about rent increases in San Francisco ↗
§ 1 · The formula
60% of Bay Area CPI-U
60% of the increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Bay Area. Calculate it on base rent only and do not round up to the nearest dollar. Unused increases can be banked and added later.
Law: San Francisco Rent Ordinance, S.F. Administrative Code ch. 37.
§ 2 · Coverage
§ 3 · Timing
Notice: 30 days' written notice; 90 days if the increase (alone or combined with another in the same year) is more than 10%. Add 5 days if the notice is mailed.
Next change: A new allowable increase takes effect March 1, 2027. The Rent Board calculates it each year.
| Period | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 1.4% |
| Mar 1, 2024 – Feb 28, 2025 | 1.7% |
§ 4 · Sources
“The allowed rent increase percentage in San Francisco is 1.6%. The percentage is effective March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.”
“For units with certificates of occupancy issued before 6/13/79”
“Effective March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, the allowable annual increase amount is 1.6%.”
See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.
§ 5 · Questions
The allowable annual rent increase for rent-controlled units in San Francisco is 1.6%, effective March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
60% of the increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Bay Area. Calculate it on base rent only and do not round up to the nearest dollar. Unused increases can be banked and added later.
Units first occupied on or after June 13, 1979. California's Costa-Hawkins rule (summarized by the CA Attorney General): local rent caps do not apply to buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995, or to most single-family homes and condos. Those units may still be covered by the statewide AB 1482 cap. No limit on the first rent for a new tenancy in a vacant unit.
A new allowable increase takes effect March 1, 2027. The Rent Board calculates it each year.
From City and County of San Francisco, Rent Board: “Learn about rent increases in San Francisco”, which we last checked on October 17, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.
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