Rent increases in San Leandro: the local rules

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

What San Leandro's code says

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Annual increase limit	65% of the yearly CPI change (12 months ending in April, rounded to 0.1%) or 3%, whichever is less. Applies: Starting January 1, 2027; the rental unit must be registered with the City. § 4-46-115 · code text Annually, a landlord may increase the rent for a rental unit by a maximum of: (i) 65% of the annual percentage change in the CPI for the 12-month period ending in April of each year, rounded to the nearest 0.1%; or (ii) 3%, whichever is less.
Units covered	There is no limit on the starting rent for the next tenant after a voluntary move-out, abandonment or legal eviction. Applies: Vacancy reset under the rent limit that starts January 1, 2027. § 4-46-115 · code text When a tenant has voluntarily vacated, abandoned, or been legally evicted from a rental unit, the landlord may set the initial rent for the next tenant, without restriction, at the commencement of the new tenancy.
How often rent can go up	No more than 1 time in any 12-month period. Applies: Except as the rent limit rules otherwise allow. § 4-46-115 · code text A landlord may increase the rent for a rental unit no more than one time per 12-month period, except as provided for in this Chapter.
Petitions and pass-throughs	The landlord may ask for a fair return rent increase. Applies: On top of the allowed yearly increase. § 4-46-115 · code text In addition to the rent increase allowed by Section 4-46-120(a), a landlord may seek a fair return rent increase pursuant to Section 4-46-130. The landlord or tenant may file no more than 1 petition per 12 months; landlords may ask for higher rent. Applies: Fair return increase petitions by landlords or rent decrease petitions by tenants. § 4-46-125 · code text A landlord or tenant may file a maximum of one petition per 12-month period. No rent increase, including a fair return increase, unless the unit is registered and all registry charges are paid. Applies: The unit must be registered with the City and the landlord must be current on fees, interest, fines and penalties. § 4-46-115 · code text Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a landlord shall be prohibited from imposing any rent increase, including a fair return pursuant to Section 4-46-130, unless the rental unit is registered with the City pursuant to Chapter 4-45, and the landlord is not delinquent in any registry fees, accrued interest, fines, and/or penalties.

The California rule underneath

Where San Leandro'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	8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.8% inflation) Applies: Covered units only. Inflation is the BLS consumer price index for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area, 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

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in San Leandro?

From January 1, 2027, San Leandro limits rent increases on registered units to 65% of the yearly CPI change or 3%, whichever is less.

General information, not legal advice.

Rent increases in San Leandro

Key points

What San Leandro's code says

The California rule underneath

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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