Rent increases in Goleta: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Goleta Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Goleta's code says

Goleta code What Goleta's code adds
Annual increase limit	75% of the CPI increase is allowed automatically. A higher increase can be contested and must be justified at arbitration. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces not under a lease. § 8.14.050 · code text The arbitrator shall automatically allow a rent increase of 75% of the CPI increase (hereinafter “automatic increase”). Up to 10% more. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, during a sublease or assignment. Added to other increases. Rent goes back down when the owner tenant moves back in. § 8.14.100 · code text Management may make reasonable rules regarding subleases and assignments and may increase the maximum rent schedule during the duration of the sublease or assignment by an amount not to exceed 10%. Up to 10% more on the maximum rent schedule, not counting capital improvement and capital expense amounts. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, on the sale of a mobilehome. After the first sale, sales must be at least 60 months apart. § 8.14.140 · code text Management may increase the maximum rent schedule, less amounts for capital improvements and capital expenses, if any, by an amount not to exceed 10% upon the sale of a mobilehome in accordance with the provisions of this section and subject to the following:
Floor or ceiling on the increase	The total increase cannot be more than the amount in management's rent increase notice. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, when the arbitrator sets the increase after a hearing. § 8.14.050 · code text The total increase shall not exceed the amount in management’s notice of rent increase.
Units covered	All City mobilehome park tenancies except commercial-use and lease tenancies, and owner-occupied parks of 4 or fewer spaces. Also exempt: government-owned, managed or operated tenancies; tenancies with no rental agreement expected to last 3 months or less; certain government-subsidized tenancies. § 8.14.030 · code text This chapter applies to all mobilehome tenancies in mobilehome parks located in the City, except:
How often rent can go up	The sublease or assignment increase is not limited to once a year. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, for the increase of up to 10% during a sublease or assignment. § 8.14.100 · code text This increase is in addition to other increases authorized under this chapter and is not subject to the once-a-year limitation of this chapter. The increase on a sale is not limited to once a year. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, for the increase of up to 10% on the sale of a mobilehome. § 8.14.140 · code text This increase is in addition to other increases under this section and is not subject to the once-a-year limitation of this chapter. No more than once a year. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces not under a lease. § 8.14.080 · code text Management may increase the maximum rent increase schedule no more than once a year for tenancies not subject to a lease.
Petitions and pass-throughs	Within 45 days of notice, a homeowner majority may petition for hearing, only if the increase exceeds 75% of CPI. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces. § 8.14.050 · code text Homeowners may, no later than 45 days after the date of notice, file a petition for hearing to contest the proposed increase but only if the increase is in excess of 75% of CPI. Capital improvement costs can pass through at an annual increase after homeowner-majority written approval, no homeowner contest, or hearing approval. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, for capital improvements. § 8.14.060 · code text The cost of capital improvements incurred or proposed, including reasonable financing costs, may be passed on to homeowners at the time of an annual increase: Capital expense costs may be passed on to homeowners at the time of an annual increase. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, for capital expenses. § 8.14.060 · code text The cost of capital expenses incurred or proposed, including reasonable financing costs, may be passed on to homeowners at the time of an annual increase. Management may collect the increase before the ruling; anything above 75% of the CPI increase goes into an interest-bearing account. Applies: Only mobilehome park spaces, when a homeowner majority has petitioned and the hearing is after the increase takes effect. § 8.14.080 · code text Where a homeowner majority has petitioned for a hearing on an increase and the hearing is to be held after the effective date of increase, management may collect the increase pending the arbitrator’s decision; however, any portion of an increase in excess of 75% of the CPI increase shall be placed in an interest-bearing account in the name of management as trustee for the homeowners of that park.

Also in Goleta's code: Mobilehome Rent Control (Ch. 8.14) — mobilehome park spaces only. This page does not summarize it yet.

The California rule underneath

Where Goleta's rule above does not cover a situation, state law still applies. For the statewide rule on its own, see California's statewide rent cap.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
Rent cap right now	8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.6% inflation) Applies: Covered units only. Inflation is the California consumer price index (Department of Industrial Relations), used for counties outside the four metro areas, April to April, as the statute requires; the figure is recomputed every year. Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)
Statewide rent increase cap (AB 1482)	5% plus the change in cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months Applies: Covered units only; measured against the lowest rent charged in the prior 12 months. Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1)
Number of rent increases	No more than two increases in any 12-month period Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(2)
Rent cap — new construction exemption	Housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years is exempt (rolling) Applies: Mobilehomes excepted. Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(4)
Rent cap — single-family home or condo exemption	A home or condo that can be sold on its own is exempt when the owner is not a REIT, a corporation or an LLC with a corporate member, and the tenant was given the written exemption notice Applies: The same exemption applies to the just-cause rule (§ 1946.2(e)(8)). Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(5)
Rent cap — owner-occupied duplex exemption	A duplex in one building is exempt when the owner lived in the other unit at the start of the tenancy and still does, unless either unit is an ADU or JADU Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(6)
New tenancy resets the rent	When no prior tenant remains, the owner may set the initial rent; the cap applies to later increases Civ. Code § 1947.12(b)
Rent cap sunset	§ 1947.12 is repealed on January 1, 2030 unless extended Civ. Code § 1947.12(o)

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Goleta?

Goleta's rent control covers only mobilehome park spaces; state law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

Rent increases in Goleta

Key points

What Goleta's code says

The California rule underneath

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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