San Francisco rent control covers many apartments built on or before June 13, 1979, and it also protects many tenants from eviction without a legal reason. For March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, the allowed yearly increase under San Francisco rent control is 1.6%.
- September 29, 2026 — City Rent Control / Tenant Ordinance: Starting March 1, 2026, if your landlord serves a no-fault eviction notice, they must pay $8,245 to each eligible tenant, up to $24,733 per unit, plus $5,497 more for each elderly or disabled tenant or household with a minor child. (source) (effective 2026-03-01)
Is Your Unit Covered by San Francisco Rent Control?
Start with the year your building was built. In most cases, San Francisco rent control applies to residential units built on or before June 13, 1979. These units usually get both a rent increase cap and eviction protection. The program is run under the San Francisco Rent Ordinance by the San Francisco Rent Board.
There are some big exceptions. Units built after June 13, 1979 are typically exempt from the rent cap. However, they still get just-cause eviction protection. Most single-family homes and condos are also exempt from the cap if the tenancy began on or after January 1, 1996. As a result, a condo renter may have eviction protection but no cap. A unit the Rent Board found was “substantially rehabilitated” can also be exempt from the cap.
The city has also changed its law for the future. It was amended effective November 24, 2024. If state law ever allows it, the cutoff date could move later, up to June 13, 1994. For now, the June 13, 1979 date still controls. Not sure about your building? Ask a Rent Board counselor to help you check your address.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Rent cap coverage | Most units built on or before June 13, 1979 | San Francisco Rent Ordinance |
| Newer units | Built after June 13, 1979: no rent cap, but still just-cause eviction protection | Rent Ordinance and California’s Costa-Hawkins Act |
| Condos and single-family homes | Usually exempt from the cap if the tenancy began on or after January 1, 1996 | Costa-Hawkins Act (Civil Code 1954.50 and following) |
| Allowed increase | 1.6% for March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 | San Francisco Rent Board |
| Future expansion | Cutoff could move to June 13, 1994, but only if state law changes | Rent Ordinance Section 37.3, amended November 24, 2024 |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under San Francisco Rent Control
For March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, the allowed annual increase under San Francisco rent control is 1.6%. The Rent Board sets a new figure every year, and it takes effect March 1. The formula is 60% of the rise in the Bay Area Consumer Price Index. The ordinance also says the yearly increase can never be more than 7%.
Landlords can sometimes “bank” an increase they skipped. However, a skipped increase only counts as banked if at least 24 full months pass with no increase at all. If fewer months pass, the skipped increase is lost. For example, a banked increase can be added later on your anniversary date. Even then, at least 12 months must pass between increases. Banked increases are one of the most common places where mistakes happen under san francisco rent control.
Your landlord must give you written notice before any increase. Typically, that means 30 days’ notice. If the increase is more than 10%, alone or added to another one that year, you need 90 days’ notice. If the notice is mailed, add 5 more days. California has its own statewide rent cap. However, for covered units, the local San Francisco rule is usually the one that matters most.
Eviction Protections in This City
Most San Francisco tenants have “just cause” protection. That means a landlord needs a legal reason listed in the Rent Ordinance to evict you. This protection usually applies even if your unit is exempt from the cap. So a newer building may be outside the price rules of san francisco rent control but still inside its eviction rules.
Some evictions are “no-fault.” That means you did nothing wrong. Examples are an owner move-in or an Ellis Act eviction, where the owner leaves the rental business. In these cases, the landlord typically must pay relocation money. The amounts change every year, starting March 1. The Rent Board’s 2026-2027 rate sheet lists them. Confirm the exact dollar figure for your situation with the Rent Board before you sign anything.
A notice from your landlord is not the same as a court case. You do not have to move out just because you got a notice. In most cases, only a court order can force you out. Local legal aid can help you figure out if the stated reason is real and legal under san francisco rent control.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
First, gather your papers. That includes your lease, rent receipts, every rent increase notice, and any eviction notice. Write down the dates when you got each notice and how it came (mail or by hand). Also note the year your building was built, if you know it. These details decide whether san francisco rent control covers you.
📨 Get Free Tenant Rights Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Next, contact the San Francisco Rent Board. It is at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94102. Phone counseling is at 415-252-4600, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm. Drop-in hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, except legal holidays. You can file a tenant petition if you think an increase is too high. Short petitions can be emailed as a PDF to [email protected].
A Rent Board counselor can explain the rules. However, a counselor is not your lawyer. If you face an active eviction case, call a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. They can review your case and tell you how san francisco rent control applies. Many offer free help to tenants who qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the allowed rent increase in San Francisco right now?
For March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, the allowed increase under san francisco rent control is 1.6%. A new figure takes effect each March 1. Check the Rent Board before your next increase.
My building was built in 1985. Am I covered?
In most cases, a unit built after June 13, 1979 is not covered by the rent cap. However, you likely still have just-cause eviction protection. That could change only if state law changes, so confirm with the Rent Board.
Can my landlord add several years of skipped increases at once?
Sometimes, yes. Under san francisco rent control, a skipped increase is banked only if 24 full months pass with no increase. If less time passed, the skipped increase is lost. Ask the Rent Board to check the math if you get a large increase.
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.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
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
Related Guides
- Tenant Rights by State (50-State Guide)
- More in This Category
- Tenant Scenarios — What to Do When…
- Notices, Letters & Documents
- Comparison Guides
- Tenant Rights Legal Glossary
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.