Introduction

Rent control laws can be complex, with each city enforcing different regulations. This comprehensive LA County multifamily rent control guide will break down rent control policies for key cities in Los Angeles County, providing a clear understanding of annual rent increase limits, the type of properties covered, and important dates.

Before diving into the specifics, let's start with some general background. Understanding the LA County multifamily rent control guide landscape requires knowledge of the foundational legislation that governs local rent control authority.

The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act: Foundation of Rent Control

The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, passed in 1995, limits how much local governments can regulate rent control. Costa-Hawkins prohibits cities from applying rent control to buildings constructed after February 1, 1995, or to single-family homes and condos. It also allows landlords to reset rents to market rate once a tenant moves out (called vacancy decontrol).

However, cities can still enforce rent control on older buildings, and many cities across Los Angeles have passed their own laws to regulate rents. This LA County multifamily rent control guide covers the specific regulations in each major city.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer or legal expert, but I strive to provide the best insights to serve my clients' interests. For legal advice, it's always recommended to consult with a legal professional.

AB-1482: California Tenant Protection Act

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 5% + CPI, with a California state maximum limit of 8.8% (local rules take precedence over state law).

Enacted: 2019

Expiration: 2030

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily properties built after 1978.

AB-1482 serves as the baseline for this LA County multifamily rent control guide, but many cities have enacted stricter local regulations that override state law.

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Baldwin Park

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 3.9%, with a local maximum of 5%.

Enacted: October 2021

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes, condos, and new construction are exempt.

Baldwin Park represents one of the more moderate approaches in this LA County multifamily rent control guide, with caps below the state maximum.

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Bell Gardens

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 1.9%, with a local maximum of 4% (50% of the CPI, whichever is lower).

Enacted: August 2022

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily properties built before 1995. Exemptions include single-family homes, condos, and new buildings.

Bell Gardens has one of the strictest rent control policies in this LA County multifamily rent control guide, with increases capped at just 50% of CPI.

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Beverly Hills

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 3.9% as of June 2024 and 3.22% for residents whose tenancies began at $600 per month or occupy a building constructed prior to 1978.

Enacted: 1978

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Beverly Hills has one of the longest-standing rent control ordinances featured in this LA County multifamily rent control guide.

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Burbank

Annual Rent Increase Limit: No local rent control, but covered under California's AB 1482 (5% plus inflation, capped at 8.8%).

Enacted: AB 1482 passed in 2019.

Expiration: 2030

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Burbank relies solely on state law in this LA County multifamily rent control guide, making it one of the more landlord-friendly cities.

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City of Los Angeles

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 4% and a total allowable rent increase of 6% if utilities are covered by the landlord.

Enacted: 1978

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

The City of Los Angeles represents the largest jurisdiction in this LA County multifamily rent control guide, with the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) affecting hundreds of thousands of units.

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Cudahy

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 3% or CPI (whichever is lower)

Enacted: June 2023

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Cudahy is one of the newest additions to this LA County multifamily rent control guide, having enacted rent control in 2023.

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Culver City

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 3% and can range from 2% to 5% depending on CPI.

Enacted: October 2020

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Culver City's flexible CPI-based approach makes it a unique entry in this LA County multifamily rent control guide.

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Glendale

Annual Rent Increase Limit: No local rent control, but covered under California's AB 1482 (5% plus inflation, capped at 8.8%).

Enacted: AB 1482 passed in 2019.

Expiration: 2030

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Like Burbank, Glendale relies on state law in this LA County multifamily rent control guide.

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Inglewood

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 3% + CPI for properties with 5 or more units, and 5% + CPI for properties with 4 or less units

Enacted: 2019

Expiration: Ongoing, no expiration set.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt (unless owned by a corporate landlord).

Inglewood's tiered approach based on property size makes it distinctive in this LA County multifamily rent control guide.

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Maywood

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 3% or CPI, whichever is lower.

Enacted: August 2023

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Maywood is another recent addition to this LA County multifamily rent control guide, enacting rent control in 2023.

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Pasadena

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 2.75%, equivalent to 75% of CPI figures.

Enacted: November 2022 (Measure H)

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Pasadena's 75% of CPI formula represents one of the more restrictive policies in this LA County multifamily rent control guide.

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Pomona

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 4%, or the change in the CPI.

Enacted: August 2022

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before 1995. Single-family homes and condos are exempt.

Pomona's 4% cap aligns closely with the City of Los Angeles in this LA County multifamily rent control guide.

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Santa Monica

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 3% for eligible units, with a maximum $76

Enacted: 1979

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before April 1979. Single-family homes, condos, and new construction are exempt.

Santa Monica has one of the oldest and strictest rent control ordinances in this LA County multifamily rent control guide, with both percentage and dollar caps.

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West Hollywood

Annual Rent Increase Limit: 2.5% for eligible units, and usually based on 75% of CPI.

Enacted: 1985

Expiration: Ongoing and resets every year.

Properties Covered: Applies to multifamily buildings built before July 1, 1979. Exemptions include single-family homes, condos, and new construction.

West Hollywood rounds out this LA County multifamily rent control guide with one of the lowest annual increase caps at just 2.5%.

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Conclusion

Rent control policies in Los Angeles County vary significantly across cities, with some areas enforcing stricter limits on rent increases than others. This LA County multifamily rent control guide demonstrates the complexity of navigating regulations across different jurisdictions, with annual increases ranging from as low as 1.9% in Bell Gardens to the state maximum of 8.8% in cities without local ordinances.

Understanding the different regulations is essential for both landlords and investors looking to navigate the multifamily market. As always, for any specific legal advice regarding rent control laws and how they affect your investments, it's important to consult with a qualified legal professional.

By staying informed with this LA County multifamily rent control guide, you can make smarter decisions and protect your real estate investments. The Kenny Stevens Team stays current on all rent control regulations across LA County and can help you navigate the complexities of investing in different cities.

Contact us to discuss how the regulations in this LA County multifamily rent control guide affect your specific properties and investment strategy.