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San Rafael · Renting & eviction

Rent increases in San Rafael

State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. City rule for mobilehome park spaces only: increases up to 75% of the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CPI change in 12 months skip review.

Ask about rent increases in San Rafael See coverage

Key points

  • Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
  • Mobilehome rents: City rule for mobilehome park spaces only: increases up to 75% of the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CPI change in 12 months skip review.

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

What San Rafael's code says

San Rafael code What San Rafael's code adds
Annual increase limit
  • Increases up to 75% of the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CPI change in 12 months skip review; larger increases get review.
    Applies: Mobilehome park lots only; not for exempt-lease or new-construction spaces; amount rounded to the nearest dollar.
    § 20.08.010 · code text
    The cost of living factor shall be seventy-five percent (75%) of the CPI/C, where the CPI/C shall mean the percentage change in the consumer price index
Units covered
  • Only mobilehome parks with mobilehomes as the title defines them, and the mobilehomes in those parks.
    § 20.04.030 · code text
    The provisions of this title apply only to mobilehome parks which contain mobilehomes as defined in this title and to the mobilehomes within such parks.
  • Not covered: spaces under a negotiated lease that exempts them under state law.
    Applies: Mobilehome park lots only.
    § 20.08.010 · code text
    Mobilehome spaces where the homeowner and the mobilehome owner/operator have entered into a negotiated lease agreement that exempts the space in accordance with subdivision (b) of Civil Code Section 798.17.
  • Not covered: new-construction spaces as state law defines and exempts them.
    Applies: Mobilehome park lots only.
    § 20.08.010 · code text
    Mobilehome spaces that are "new construction" as defined in Civil Code Section 798.7 and as exempted in accordance with Civil Code Section 798.45.
How often rent can go up
  • Once a year, on the park's anniversary date.
    Applies: Mobilehome park lots only; yearly increases take effect only on the park's posted anniversary date, except as the title specifies.
    § 20.08.030 · code text
    Each park operator shall, by November 1, 1989, establish an anniversary date for all rent increases, and such yearly increases, if any, except as specified below, shall be enacted only on the anniversary date of that park, which date shall also be posted in the park office or office area where it can easily be seen by the homeowners.
Petitions and pass-throughs
  • Capital replacement and/or improvement assessments are not part of base rent and get no automatic CPI increases.
    Applies: Mobilehome park lots only.
    § 20.08.010 · code text
    Capital replacement and/or capital improvement assessment(s) shall not be included in the base rent nor eligible for automatic CPI increases under this section.
  • To exceed the title's limits or claim the rent freeze denies a just, reasonable return, an owner must petition.
    Applies: Mobilehome park owners or operators only; the petition starts the rental dispute hearing; all affected homeowners must get written notice.
    § 20.12.050 · code text
    Any Operator or owner whose mobilehome park is subject to the provisions of this title and who seeks to increase rent in excess of the provisions of this title, or contends that the freeze of rents as provided by Section 20.08.010(E) does not result in a just and reasonable return shall be required to invoke the hearing process by a petition filed with the city clerk which shall be heard and processed in the same manner as provided in this title for homeowner applications;
  • An arbitrator decides the allowed increase, if any, under the title's standards; the owner must prove it is reasonable.
    Applies: Mobilehome park rental dispute hearings; a written decision within 15 days of the hearing.
    § 20.12.070 · code text
    The arbitrator shall render within fifteen (15) days of the hearing a written decision together with the reasons for said decision determining the amount of allowable rent increase, if any, in accordance with the standards of Section 20.12.110.
  • Arbitration costs pass to homeowners over 1 year if the award is at least 80% of the requested, ungranted increase.
    Applies: Mobilehome parks only; the owner/operator requested the arbitration.
    § 20.12.100 · code text
    if the arbitration is requested by the owner/operator, and the final arbitration award is eighty percent (80%) or more of the increase requested by the owner/operator, not previously granted by an arbitrator, the owner/operator shall be allowed to pass the costs through to the homeowners, spread over a one (1) year period in addition to any increase allowed.

Also in San Rafael's code: Mobilehome Rent Stabilization (Title 20) — mobilehome park spaces only. This page does not summarize it yet.

The California rule underneath

Where San Rafael'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

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Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in San Rafael?

State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. City rule for mobilehome park spaces only: increases up to 75% of the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CPI change in 12 months skip review.

General information, not legal advice.

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Notices in San Rafael

California's statewide rent cap

San Rafael Municipal Code — full text