east palo alto rent control is real, and it is one of the stronger local tenant laws in California. Under east palo alto rent control, most covered apartments can go up by no more than 2.0% for the program year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, and almost every renter in the city has just-cause eviction protection.
Is Your Unit Covered by East Palo Alto Rent Control?
The local law is the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance of 2010. East Palo Alto voters passed it in June 2010, with 79% voting yes. It has two parts. The first part limits rent increases. The second part limits the reasons a landlord can evict you.
In most cases, the date your building got its certificate of occupancy decides coverage. Units first occupied on or after January 1, 1988 are exempt from the rent limits. However, older apartment buildings, duplexes, and similar rentals are typically covered by east palo alto rent control. A single-family home that is the only home on its lot is exempt from the rent limits. Even so, it still follows the just-cause eviction rules.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Newer buildings | Units with a certificate of occupancy on or after January 1, 1988 are exempt from rent limits | East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Regulations |
| Single-family homes | Exempt from rent limits if the lot has only one home; still covered by just cause | East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Regulations |
| Nonprofit housing with rent covenants | Partly exempt; only some parts of the ordinance apply | East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Regulations |
| Mobile home parks | Covered by the separate 1988 ordinance | East Palo Alto Ordinance No. 076 (1988) |
Not sure about your address? Call or email the Rent Stabilization Program before you pay a big increase. Staff can typically tell you whether east palo alto rent control applies to your unit. For example, they can check the building’s age and its registration record.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under East Palo Alto Rent Control
Each year, the Rent Stabilization Board sets an Annual General Adjustment, or AGA. The AGA is the most your rent can rise that year. For July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the AGA is 2.0%. For comparison, the AGA for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 was 2.2%. As a result, a tenant paying $2,000 a month can see a raise of up to $40 a month in the 2026–2027 year.
Under east palo alto rent control, the increase is added to your Maximum Allowable Rent. Only landlords who follow the ordinance can take the AGA. Your landlord must also give you proper 30-day written notice, as state law requires. If the notice is short, or the raise is over 2.0%, you may be able to challenge it.
What about California’s statewide rent cap? It is only background here. When a unit is covered by east palo alto rent control, the local 2.0% limit is the number to check first. Other increases, such as for major improvements, usually need a landlord petition to the Board. If you get an increase above the AGA, ask the Program whether one was approved.
Eviction Protections in This City
East Palo Alto protects renters across the city from arbitrary, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions. This includes most units that are exempt from the rent limits. A landlord needs a legal reason, called “just cause,” to end your tenancy. For example, allowed reasons include not paying rent, serious damage to the unit, or ongoing lease violations.
Some reasons are “no-fault.” That means you did nothing wrong. Examples include the owner or a family member moving in, major necessary repairs, demolition, or leaving the rental business under the Ellis Act. Relocation payments may apply in no-fault cases. However, the official program page does not list the current dollar amounts. Confirm them directly with the Rent Stabilization Program before you move out.
East palo alto rent control also adds an important check. Your landlord must file a copy of any termination notice or eviction lawsuit with the Program. As a result, the city can see whether the eviction reason looks legal. Under east palo alto rent control, a notice that skips this step may be open to challenge.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Start with the Rent Stabilization Program. It is at 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303. The main phone is 650-853-3100, and the email is [email protected]. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except holidays. You can find forms on the East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Program page.
Tenants can file Petition A, B, or C. Petition A is for rent charged above the Maximum Allowable Rent or the allowed AGA. Petition B is for repair problems or cut services, and it can ask for a rent cut and a rebate. Confirm the right form and filing steps with staff. Under east palo alto rent control, a win may lower your rent going forward.
Bring your lease, every rent increase notice, and rent receipts or bank records. Also bring photos of repair problems and copies of texts or letters. Typically, a clear timeline helps. However, if you have an eviction notice or court papers, call a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney right away. The Program gives information, but legal aid can defend you in court. East palo alto rent control rights work best when you act early.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the allowed rent increase in East Palo Alto right now?
For July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the Annual General Adjustment under east palo alto rent control is 2.0%. Your landlord must also give 30 days’ written notice. If you are unsure, ask the Rent Stabilization Program to check the math.
I rent a single-family house. Am I protected?
If your house is the only home on its lot, it is typically exempt from the rent limits. However, you still have just-cause eviction protection. So your landlord generally needs a legal reason to end your tenancy.
Can my landlord raise my rent to punish me for complaining?
East palo alto rent control and the city’s just-cause rules protect tenants from retaliatory evictions. A raise above the 2.0% AGA can also be challenged with Petition A. Keep records and contact the Program or legal aid.
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Find Your State’s Exact Rules
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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.