Rent Increase Notice Laws in California

California requires 30 days' written notice for a month-to-month rent increase of 10% or less and 90 days for a larger increase, and caps most increases at 5% plus inflation, up to 10%, per 12 months.

Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Notice for month-to-month increase: 30 days (90 days if over 10%); The 30-day period applies to increases of 10 percent or less in 12 months. Extra time applies if the notice is mailed.
Longer notice rule: 90 days if increase is over 10% in 12 months; An increase caused by a required income or household recertification needs only 30 days.
Statewide rent increase cap: Yes: 5% plus inflation, max 10%; The Tenant Protection Act cap applies over any 12-month period, has exemptions (for example some newer buildings and some single-family homes), and is repealed January 1, 2030.

Sources

Last checked October 2026

The rules in California

How much notice must a landlord give before raising rent on a month-to-month tenancy in California?

Notice for month-to-month increase in California: 30 days (90 days if over 10%). The 30-day period applies to increases of 10 percent or less in 12 months. Extra time applies if the notice is mailed.

Does California require longer notice for large rent increases or long tenancies?

Longer notice rule in California: 90 days if increase is over 10% in 12 months. An increase caused by a required income or household recertification needs only 30 days.

Does California limit how much a landlord can raise the rent?

Yes: 5% plus inflation, max 10%. Statewide rent increase cap in California: yes: 5% plus inflation, max 10%. The Tenant Protection Act cap applies over any 12-month period, has exemptions (for example some newer buildings and some single-family homes), and is repealed January 1, 2030.

Where do the California rent increase notice laws come from?

The rules above come from Cal. Civ. Code 827 and Cal. Civ. Code 1947.12. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The rent cap in Civil Code 1947.12 remains in effect until January 1, 2030.

Some cities have local rent control that may be stricter than the state cap.

What this means in practice

Put the rent increase in writing, state the new amount and the date it takes effect, and keep a copy along with proof of how and when it was delivered. Count the notice period from the date the tenant actually receives the notice, and check whether your state adds extra days for mailed notices.

Check local law as well as state law. Some cities and counties have rent stabilization ordinances, registration rules, or longer notice periods, and subsidized or rent-regulated units often follow separate federal or program rules.

A rent increase cannot be used to retaliate against a tenant for making a repair request or complaint, or to discriminate against a protected group. If the timing of an increase could look retaliatory, document the business reason for it.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

Compare with neighboring states

Compare all states