Glendale rent control does not include a city cap on how much your rent can go up. Instead, glendale rent control combines the California state cap under Civil Code 1947.12 with the city’s Rental Rights Program, which adds just cause eviction rules, a one-year lease option, and relocation help if you move out after a rent increase of more than 7% in 12 months.
- September 29, 2026 — City Rent Control / Tenant Ordinance: Starting August 1, 2026, rent on units in Glendale covered by the state cap can go up by no more than 8.7% in a 12-month period, and this limit lasts through July 31, 2027. (source) (effective 2026-08-01)
Is Your Unit Covered by Glendale Rent Control?
Glendale has two layers of protection, and they cover different units. The city’s Rental Rights Program is the local layer. According to the city, it exempts single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and government-subsidized units, including Section 8. It also exempts parcels with only two units. In most cases, then, the city program protects renters in apartment buildings with three or more units.
The state layer is the rent cap in California Civil Code 1947.12. That law has its own exemptions. For example, it does not cover housing that got its certificate of occupancy within the last 15 years. It also does not cover some single-family homes and condos, but only if the owner is not a corporation or REIT and gave you the written notice the law requires.
As a result, a unit can be covered by one layer of glendale rent control but not the other.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| City rent cap | None. Glendale does not set its own percentage limit. | City of Glendale Housing Division |
| State rent cap | 5% plus local inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower, in any 12-month period | Civil Code 1947.12 |
| Relocation trigger | Tenant moves out after a rent increase of more than 7% in 12 months | Glendale Rental Rights Program |
| One-year lease | Landlord must offer a written one-year lease each year, with rent raised only once a year | Glendale Rental Rights Program |
| Exempt from city program | Single-family homes, condos, townhouses, ADUs, subsidized units (including Section 8), two-unit parcels | Glendale Rental Rights Program |
| New-building exemption | No state cap for housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the last 15 years | Civil Code 1947.12 |
To check a specific address, call the Rental Rights Program at 818-548-3926. You can also email [email protected]. Have your address, the year the building was built (if you know it), and the number of units on the lot ready.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Glendale Rent Control
Because the city has no cap of its own, the number that matters for glendale rent control is the state cap. Under Civil Code 1947.12, rent on a covered unit can rise by 5% plus the change in the regional cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower. That limit covers any 12-month period. The landlord also cannot split the raise into more than two increases in those 12 months.
The inflation piece changes every year. For the period beginning August 1, 2026, the exact allowed percentage for the Los Angeles area must be confirmed with the Rental Rights Program. The statute itself does not print a yearly figure. However, one limit never changes: the total can never be more than 10%. The state cap is currently set to expire on January 1, 2030, unless lawmakers extend it.
Glendale adds its own rule on top. If your rent goes up by more than 7% in 12 months and you move out because of it, your landlord typically owes you relocation money. So under glendale rent control, a landlord can legally raise the rent 8% or 9%. However, that raise may come with a real cost to the landlord. Also, landlords must offer a written one-year lease each year. As a result, your rent can only go up once a year under that lease.
Eviction Protections in This City
Glendale’s Rental Rights Program grew out of the city’s Just Cause Eviction ordinance. In plain terms, “just cause” means a landlord needs a legal reason to end your tenancy. Examples include not paying rent or seriously breaking the lease. Cornell’s legal dictionary explains eviction in general terms. For a covered unit, the city rules sit on top of state law.
Some evictions are “no-fault.” That means you did nothing wrong, but the owner wants the unit back. In most cases, no-fault evictions under the city program require relocation money. The exact amount changes and depends on the situation. Confirm the current figure with the Rental Rights Program before you sign or agree to anything. Keep every notice your landlord gives you.
A notice from your landlord is not the same as a court case. You typically cannot be locked out without a court order. However, do not ignore any notice. Call the city office to ask if the reason given is allowed.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Start with the city. Glendale’s Housing Division runs the Rental Rights Program. You can reach it at 818-548-3926 or [email protected]. More information is on the City of Glendale Housing Division page. Staff can tell you whether your unit is covered and whether an increase triggers relocation money.
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Before you call, gather your papers. Bring your lease, every rent increase notice, and proof of what you pay now, like receipts or bank records. Also bring any eviction notice and a list of dates. For example, write down when you got each notice and how it was delivered. Clear records help any complaint under glendale rent control move faster.
Some problems need a lawyer, not just a city office. If you have an active eviction case, contact a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney right away. The state cap is also enforced through the courts, not a city rent board. Many tenants can get free help if their income qualifies. You may be able to raise an illegal rent increase as a defense in court. Check with your court or a legal-aid office about your options.
Just don’t wait, because glendale rent control rights only help if you use them in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Glendale have rent control?
Not in the form of a city cap. Glendale rent control relies on the California state cap plus the city’s Rental Rights Program. The city program adds just cause rules, a one-year lease option, and relocation help after big increases.
My rent went up 9%. Is that legal?
It may be legal under the state cap, depending on this year’s inflation figure. However, because it is more than 7% in 12 months, you may be owed relocation money if you move out and your unit is covered. Under glendale rent control, call 818-548-3926 before you decide.
I rent a condo. Am I covered?
Condos are exempt from Glendale’s Rental Rights Program. The state cap may still apply if your landlord is a corporation or REIT, or did not give you the required exemption notice. Check your lease for that notice.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
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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.