Santa Cruz · State cap (no local rent control)
8.6%
The City of Santa Cruz has no local rent control, so the statewide AB 1482 cap applies: for increases starting August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, covered rents in Santa Cruz County can rise at most 8.6% in any 12-month period. Tenants who move out after a large increase (over 5% in a year) may be owed two months' rent in relocation help.
The statewide AB 1482 cap for Santa Cruz County ("All Other Counties" on the Attorney General's chart) for increases starting August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027.
Attorney General's chart, "All Other Counties" (increases starting Aug 1 each year).
Source: State of California, Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General (Limits on Rent Increases).
| Period | Allowed | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 – Jul 2026 | 7.7% | State of California, Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General |
| Aug 2026 – Jul 2027 | 8.6% | State of California, Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General |
Recent changes
For increases starting between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027, the Attorney General's chart lists 8.7% (Los Angeles Area), 8.1% (Riverside Area), 8.2% (San Diego Area), 8.8% (San Francisco Area) and 8.6% for all other counties.
Official source: California Attorney General: Limits on Rent Increases ↗
§ 1 · The formula
5% + CPI, max 10% (statewide)
No local rent control applies, so the statewide Tenant Protection Act cap governs: 5% plus the change in the cost of living, up to a maximum of 10%, over any 12-month period. Santa Cruz County isn't one of the four BLS metro areas the Attorney General lists, so it falls under "All Other Counties", which uses the April California CPI from the Department of Industrial Relations. Increases starting August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026 were capped at 7.7%; from August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 it is 8.6%.
Law: California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), Civil Code § 1947.12.
§ 2 · Coverage
§ 3 · Timing
Notice: At least 30 days' written notice for an increase of 10% or less over 12 months (Civil Code § 827); add 5 days if mailed.
Next change: The statewide figure resets for increases starting August 1, 2027, based on April 2027 CPI. The Attorney General's chart lists it once published.
§ 2a · Local rules
City voters rejected Measure M, a rent control and just-cause charter amendment, on November 6, 2018 (11,609 yes, 18,611 no). The statewide cap is the limit.
Source: “Failed. Votes yes: 11609 Votes no: 18611”
If a rent increase is more than 5% in one year, or more than 7% over two consecutive years, and the tenant gives notice to move out within 60 days after it takes effect, the owner must pay two months of the tenant's rent from before the increase. City-owned and deed-restricted affordable units are excluded.
Source: “For tenants who relocate due to a large rent increase, the payment of two months of the tenant's actual rent, that was in effect prior to the effective date of the large rent increase”
City code chapter 21.07 extends AB 1482-style protections to Section 8 tenants and to tenants whose affordability restrictions expire.
Source: “Chapter 21.07 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code expands upon these protections to provide additional protections to Section 8 tenants and to tenants of units with expiring affordable rental restrictions.”
§ 2b · Mobile home park spaces (separate ordinance)
Space-rent increases above 75% of the CPI increase (12 months ending 60 days before the notice), or 8%, whichever is less, are subject to the city's hearing process. This is separate from the apartment/house cap above.
Source: “which exceeds an aggregate of seventy-five percent of the increase of the CPI for the twelve-month period ending sixty days before written notice of such rent increase is given, or eight percent, whichever is less”
§ 4 · Sources
“All Other Counties 7.7% 8.6%”
“For all other counties, the change in the cost of living is measured using the April California consumer price index data published by the California Department of Industrial Relations.”
“the notice shall be delivered at least 30 days before the effective date of the increase”
“Housing that has been issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years, unless the housing is a mobilehome.”
“City of Santa Cruz rent control initiative”
““Large rent increase” shall mean a rent increase of more than five percent in one year or cumulatively more than seven percent in any two consecutive years”
“Chapter 21.07 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code expands upon these protections to provide additional protections to Section 8 tenants and to tenants of units with expiring affordable rental restrictions.”
“which exceeds an aggregate of seventy-five percent of the increase of the CPI for the twelve-month period ending sixty days before written notice of such rent increase is given, or eight percent, whichever is less, shall be subject to review under the hearing process referenced in Section 22.01.100.”
See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.
§ 5 · Questions
The City of Santa Cruz has no local rent control, so the statewide AB 1482 cap applies: for increases starting August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, covered rents in Santa Cruz County can rise at most 8.6% in any 12-month period. Tenants who move out after a large increase (over 5% in a year) may be owed two months' rent in relocation help.
No local rent control applies, so the statewide Tenant Protection Act cap governs: 5% plus the change in the cost of living, up to a maximum of 10%, over any 12-month period. Santa Cruz County isn't one of the four BLS metro areas the Attorney General lists, so it falls under "All Other Counties", which uses the April California CPI from the Department of Industrial Relations. Increases starting August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026 were capped at 7.7%; from August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 it is 8.6%.
Housing issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years (mobilehomes excepted). A single-family home or condo whose owner isn't a corporation, a REIT or an LLC with a corporate member, if the tenant got the written exemption notice. An owner-occupied duplex where the owner lived in one unit at the start of the tenancy.
The statewide figure resets for increases starting August 1, 2027, based on April 2027 CPI. The Attorney General's chart lists it once published.
From State of California, Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General: “Limits on Rent Increases”, which we last checked on October 17, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.
Same state
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