Santa Monica · City charter
2.6%
Santa Monica's General Adjustment is 2.6% from September 1, 2026, capped at a $70 increase for units with a maximum allowable rent of $2,674 or more.
The September 2026 General Adjustment (GA), with a maximum increase of $70 for units whose maximum allowable rent is $2,674 or more.
Effective September 1 each year. Most years also carry a dollar ceiling for higher rents.
2022: the Board's history lists 3.0%; the 2022 adjustment was applied as 6% from 9/1/22 to 1/31/23 and 0.8% from 2/1/23 to 8/31/23. Source: Santa Monica Rent Control Board (General Adjustment and Registration Fee History), City of Santa Monica, Rent Control Board (Maximum Lawful Rent).
| Period | Allowed | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1.3% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2017 | 2% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2018 | 2.9% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2019 | 2% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2020 | 1.4% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2021 | 1.7% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2022 | 3% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2023 | 2.8% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2024 | 3% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2025 | 2.3% | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| 2026 | 2.6% | City of Santa Monica, Rent Control Board |
Recent changes
The September 2026 General Adjustment is 2.6% for eligible units, with a $70 maximum increase for units whose maximum allowable rent is $2,674 or more.
Official source: Santa Monica Rent Control Board: Maximum Lawful Rent / 2026 General Adjustment ↗
§ 1 · The formula
75% of LA-area CPI (12 months to March), with a dollar ceiling
About 75% of the percentage change in the CPI for the Los Angeles area for the 12 months ending in March. The ceiling is also set by formula; the AG summary lists a 3% maximum. Owners may also pass through half the registration fee ($10 a month for 2026/27) and certain property-tax surcharges.
| Series | From | To | Change | Formula | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-U, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | March 2025: 340.648 | March 2026: 352.221 | 3.40% | 75% × = 2.55% | Official: 2.6% (official GA) |
Index values from api.bls.gov (not seasonally adjusted), pulled October 18, 2026. Agencies may use different months, averages or rounding, so the headline figure on this page is always the officially published one.
Law: Rent Control Law, Santa Monica City Charter § 1800 et seq.
§ 2 · Coverage
§ 3 · Timing
Notice: At least 30 days' written notice; the Board publishes a Notice of Change in Terms of Tenancy form.
Next change: The Board announces the next General Adjustment in spring 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2027.
§ 4 · Sources
“The Rent Control Board announced a September 2026 General Adjustment (GA) of 2.6% for eligible units, with a maximum $70 increase for units with current maximum allowable rents of $2,674 and above.”
“For units with certificates of occupancy issued before 4/10/79”
“General Adjustment and Registration Fee History”
See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.
§ 5 · Questions
Santa Monica's General Adjustment is 2.6% from September 1, 2026, capped at a $70 increase for units with a maximum allowable rent of $2,674 or more.
About 75% of the percentage change in the CPI for the Los Angeles area for the 12 months ending in March. The ceiling is also set by formula; the AG summary lists a 3% maximum. Owners may also pass through half the registration fee ($10 a month for 2026/27) and certain property-tax surcharges.
Buildings of 1–3 units where the owner lives in one of the units throughout the tenancy (per the CA AG summary). 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. The GA applies only if the tenancy started before September 1 of the previous year, fees are paid, the tenancy is registered and there are no uncorrected code citations.
The Board announces the next General Adjustment in spring 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2027.
From City of Santa Monica, Rent Control Board: “Maximum Lawful Rent”, which we last checked on October 17, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.
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