San Francisco Rental Laws & Rent Control (2026)
City flag · San Francisco
San Francisco is in San Francisco County, California. It adds local protections on top of statewide law: Just-cause protection start, Local rent increase cap, Annual rental registration fee, No-fault relocation assistance. Confirm each rule's current scope with the city before acting.
San Francisco local rules (4)
These sit on top of the statewide rules below. Each one links to the official San Francisco source we track it from. Scope can depend on the building’s age, unit count and tenancy — verify against the source before acting.
Just-cause protection start
Effective January 2020From day 1 of the tenancy
Sec. 37.9: ~16 just causes from day 1; since 2020 covers most units regardless of construction date.
Official San Francisco sourceLocal rent increase cap
Effective March 2026Tracked rate: 1.6% — confirm coverage and tiers below
SF Rent Ordinance: 60% of CPI, capped 7%. Covers pre-Jun 1979 multifamily. Mar 2026–Feb 2027 rate.
Official San Francisco sourceAnnual rental registration fee
Effective March 2025$59 per unit (Rent Board fee)
Annual Housing Inventory reporting required to license rent increases; fee split 50/50 landlord/tenant.
Official San Francisco sourceNo-fault relocation assistance
Effective March 2026$8,245/tenant, max $24,733/unit (+$5,497 senior/disabled/minor)
Owner move-in/demolition tier. Ellis Act: $11,110/tenant, max $33,330 (+$7,444 62+/disabled). Adjusted each Mar 1.
Official San Francisco source
Statewide laws that apply in San Francisco
- California Security Deposit Law (2026)
California security deposit limits, the 21-day return deadline, allowed deductions, photos, and bad-faith penalties under Civil Code §1950.5.
- California Rent Increase Laws & AB 1482 Rent Cap (2026)
California AB 1482 rent caps, increase frequency, exemptions, and 30- or 90-day notice rules under Civil Code §§1947.12 and 827.
- California Just Cause Eviction Rules (AB 1482, §1946.2)
California AB 1482 just-cause eviction rules, at-fault and no-fault grounds, relocation assistance, and notice requirements.
- California Habitability & Repair Duties (§1941.1, SB 721)
California habitability and repair duties under Civil Code §1941.1, plus SB 721 balcony inspection rules for multifamily buildings.
- California Security Deposit Photo Rules (AB 2801, 2026)
California AB 2801 move-in and move-out photo requirements, deposit deductions, and professional-cleaning limits under §1950.5.
- California Working Stove & Refrigerator Law (AB 628, 2026)
California AB 628 stove and refrigerator habitability requirements for leases entered, amended, or extended from January 1, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does San Francisco have rent control?
- San Francisco has its own local rent ordinance in addition to California's statewide AB 1482 cap. Local rules can be stricter, so confirm your unit's specific limit before raising rent.
- What security-deposit limit applies in San Francisco?
- California's statewide limit applies: one month's rent as of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), with a narrow small-landlord two-month exception. The deposit must be returned within 21 days.
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and may not reflect the latest changes or your city’s local ordinances. Verify against the current statute or consult a California attorney before acting. Last reviewed: June 26, 2026.