Long beach rent control does not come from a city rent cap. Long Beach has no local rent control law of its own. Instead, long beach rent control means California’s statewide cap, known as AB 1482 (Civil Code Section 1947.12). It limits most yearly increases to 5 percent plus local inflation, or 10 percent, whichever is lower.
- September 29, 2026 — City Rent Control / Tenant Ordinance: Starting August 1, 2026, most covered Long Beach apartments can have their rent raised by no more than 8.7% in any 12 months, up from 8.0% the year before. (source) (effective 2026-08-01)
Is Your Unit Covered by Long Beach Rent Control?
Most apartments in the city are covered. However, long beach rent control is really the state law. So the state’s exemptions decide your coverage. The biggest one is age. Housing is not covered if it got its certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years. Mobilehomes are the exception.
Single-family homes and condos can also be exempt, but only in some cases. The owner cannot be a corporation or a real estate investment trust. The owner also cannot be an LLC with a corporate member. On top of that, the owner must give you a specific written notice that the property is exempt. For example, if your lease never included that notice, the exemption may not apply.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Building age | Not covered if the certificate of occupancy was issued within the previous 15 years (mobilehomes excepted) | Civil Code 1947.12(d)(4) |
| Single-family home or condo | Exempt only if the owner is not a REIT, corporation, or LLC with a corporate member, AND you got the written exemption notice | Civil Code 1947.12(d)(5) |
| Owner-occupied duplex | Exempt if the owner lived in the other unit when your tenancy began and still does, and neither unit is an ADU or JADU | Civil Code 1947.12(d)(6) |
| Affordable housing and dorms | Deed-restricted affordable housing and school-owned dormitories are exempt | Civil Code 1947.12(d)(1)-(2) |
| City rent cap | None. Long Beach has no local cap | City of Long Beach, District 1 |
To check your address, look in your lease for the exemption notice. Then ask your landlord in writing when the building got its certificate of occupancy. If you are still unsure, a local legal-aid office can help you check.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Long Beach Rent Control
Under long beach rent control, there is a cap on increases. It is 5 percent plus the change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower. The cap covers any 12-month period. It is measured from the lowest rent charged in the 12 months before the increase. Discounts or concessions you accepted do not count toward that base.
The inflation part uses the Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area. Some increases take effect from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. For those, the law uses the change from April 2025 to April 2026. The statute does not print the final percentage. As a result, confirm the exact figure with a legal-aid office before you pay.
If you stay, rent can go up in no more than two steps over 12 months. The landlord must also give written notice of any increase, following Civil Code Section 827. The cap does not apply when a brand-new tenant moves in. Typically, the landlord can set the starting rent freely. The state law lasts until January 1, 2030. That is the current long beach rent control timeline.
Eviction Protections in This City
Long Beach once had its own Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (LBMC Chapter 8.97). The city adopted it in June 2019. It made owners of four or more units pay displaced tenants up to $4,500. However, the City Council repealed it in December 2019 after AB 1482 passed. So that $4,500 payment is not part of current long beach rent control law.
Today, long beach rent control for evictions comes from the Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies Ordinance (LBMC Chapter 8.99). The City Council adopted it on March 10, 2020. The city says it was meant to protect tenants more than state law does. The city page we reviewed does not list its relocation amounts or no-fault rules. So confirm them with the Development Services Department before you sign anything or move out.
In most cases, a notice to move is not a court order. Only a court can order you out. Keep paying rent if you can. Keep copies of everything.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Long Beach has no rent board, because long beach rent control has no city cap to enforce. For eviction questions under LBMC Chapter 8.99, the city points tenants to the Development Services Department. You can also contact the District 1 City Council office. It is at 411 West Ocean Blvd, 11th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802. The phone number is (562) 570-6919.
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First, gather your proof. Bring your lease, every rent-increase notice, and your rent receipts or bank records. Include any texts or emails with your landlord. Next, write down your rent for the past 12 months. For example, compare your lowest rent to the new amount. That shows whether the increase goes over the cap.
Then send your landlord a short, polite letter. Point to California Civil Code Section 1947.12 and ask them to fix the increase. Keep a copy. If they refuse, or you face eviction, call a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. Long beach rent control rights are mostly enforced through state law and the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Long Beach Rent Control
Does Long Beach have its own rent control?
No. Long beach rent control is the state cap under AB 1482, not a city law. You can read the city’s explanation on the City of Long Beach District 1 tenant ordinance page.
Can my landlord raise rent twice in one year?
If you stay, the increase can come in no more than two steps over 12 months. Under long beach rent control, both steps together must stay within the cap. The cap is 5 percent plus inflation, or 10 percent, whichever is lower.
Do I still get $4,500 in relocation money?
Not under the old ordinance. The city repealed LBMC Chapter 8.97 in December 2019. You may be able to get help under state law or LBMC Chapter 8.99. Check with Development Services or legal aid.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.