San Jose Rental Laws & Rent Control (2026)
City flag · San José
San Jose is in Santa Clara 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 Jose local rules (4)
These sit on top of the statewide rules below. Each one links to the official San Jose 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 May 2017From day 1 of the tenancy
TPO: 13 just causes from day 1; ALL 3+ unit buildings regardless of age, incl. unpermitted units.
Official San Jose sourceLocal rent increase cap
Effective January 2017Tracked rate: 5% — confirm coverage and tiers below
ARO: fixed 5% per 12 months (not CPI-indexed). 3+ unit buildings occupied before Sep 7 1979 (~40k units).
Official San Jose sourceAnnual rental registration fee
Effective November 2024ARO program fee billed each November (set annually)
Rent Registry registration required for ARO buildings.
Official San Jose sourceNo-fault relocation assistance
Effective July 2022$6,925–$12,414 by bedrooms (Ellis Act; verify current schedule)
2022-23 schedule, adjusted periodically; 120-day notice required for market withdrawal.
Official San Jose source
Statewide laws that apply in San Jose
- 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 Jose have rent control?
- San Jose 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 Jose?
- 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.