Sacramento rent control is real, and it covers many older apartment buildings in the city. Under sacramento rent control, the most your landlord can raise the rent is 8.6% for the period beginning July 1, 2026 and running through June 30, 2027, and many tenants are also protected from eviction without a legal reason (“just cause”).
Is Your Unit Covered by Sacramento Rent Control?
The city runs its rules through the Tenant Protection Program (TPP). It is part of the Code Compliance Division. The rules are in Sacramento City Code Chapter 5.156. In most cases, sacramento rent control covers apartments and other multi-unit rentals inside city limits. However, it does not cover everything.
The biggest exemption depends on when the building was built. A unit is exempt if it was built after February 1, 1995. The city goes by the date on the certificate of occupancy. If there is no certificate, it uses the date of the final inspection. Single dwelling units and condos are also generally exempt. However, there are limits to that exemption, so don’t assume. Ask TPP to confirm.
Not sure if sacramento rent control covers your address? Call or email TPP and give them your full address. Landlords of covered units must register them with the city. As a result, TPP can often tell you quickly if your unit is on their list.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Where it applies | Rental units inside Sacramento city limits | Sacramento City Code Ch. 5.156 |
| Year-built exemption | Units built after February 1, 1995 are exempt | Sacramento City Code Ch. 5.156 |
| Housing type exemption | Single dwelling units and condos are generally exempt | Sacramento City Code Ch. 5.156 |
| Rent cap | 8.6% for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 | City of Sacramento 2026 TPP maximum increase notice |
| Eviction hearing petition | Must be filed within 7 calendar days of getting the notice | TPP tenant pre-eviction hearing petition form |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Sacramento Rent Control
The yearly cap is set by a formula. It is 5% plus the yearly change in the California Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers. However, the total can never be more than 10%. For 2026, the city used an April 2026 CPI figure of 3.6%. As a result, the sacramento rent control cap is 8.6%. That applies from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
For example, say your rent is $1,500 a month. The most it can go up for this period is $129. That puts your new rent at $1,629 at most. If your landlord asks for more, the increase may break the rules. The city posts a new rate each year. So check the TPP page before a new increase takes effect after June 30, 2027.
Your landlord must also give you proper written notice before a raise starts. The exact notice period is not listed on the TPP page, so confirm it with TPP. California has its own statewide cap too. Typically, it works in the background. For a covered unit, the local rules under sacramento rent control are the ones TPP enforces.
Eviction Protections in This City
If you are covered, your landlord generally needs “just cause” to end your tenancy. That means a legal reason listed in the city code. Some reasons are about the tenant, like not paying rent. Others are “no-fault,” like an owner moving in or taking the unit off the rental market. The city has official forms for these, including a notice of intent for owner move-in.
For no-fault evictions, sacramento rent control rules require the landlord to pay you relocation assistance. The TPP page does not state the dollar amount. Confirm the exact amount with TPP before you move or sign anything. Also, don’t agree to a “cash for keys” deal until you know what you are owed under sacramento rent control.
A TPP hearing is not the same as a court case. If your landlord files an eviction lawsuit, you must also answer in court on time. Contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney as soon as possible. Waiting even a few days can cost you your defenses.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Your main contact is the Tenant Protection Program. It sits in the city’s Code Compliance Division. You can reach TPP at 300 Richards Blvd., 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811. The phone is (916) 808-8121, and the email is [email protected]. You can find forms and updates on the City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program page.
Before you file, gather your paperwork. Bring your lease, and every rent increase notice. Include proof of what you paid, like receipts or bank records. Keep any texts, emails, or letters from your landlord. For example, a photo of a notice taped to your door counts. Good records make a sacramento rent control complaint much stronger.
If there is a hearing, you can submit a written statement. The city says it should be filed at least 5 days before the hearing, or brought to the hearing itself. However, if you face an active eviction, don’t rely on TPP alone. Call a local legal-aid office the same day. Sacramento rent control rules help most when you act quickly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does sacramento rent control cover a house I rent?
In most cases, single dwelling units are exempt from the city’s rent cap. However, there are exceptions to the exemption. Call TPP at (916) 808-8121 with your address to confirm.
What is the sacramento rent control limit for 2026?
For July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the cap is 8.6%. That comes from 5% plus a 3.6% CPI figure. The formula can never go above 10% total.
My landlord raised my rent more than 8.6%. Do I have to pay it?
If your unit is covered, you may be able to challenge the part above the cap. Keep paying your usual rent while you contact TPP, so you don’t give your landlord a reason to evict. Check with TPP or a local legal-aid office before you withhold any money.
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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.