Santa Monica Rental Laws & Rent Control (2026)
County flag · Los Angeles County
Santa Monica is in Los Angeles 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.
Santa Monica local rules (4)
These sit on top of the statewide rules below. Each one links to the official Santa Monica 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 April 1979From day 1 of the tenancy
Charter §1806: enumerated causes from day 1 for controlled units.
Official Santa Monica sourceLocal rent increase cap
Effective September 2026Tracked rate: 2.6% — confirm coverage and tiers below
2026 General Adjustment 2.6%, capped at $70/month for rents ≥$2,674. Prior GA: 2.3%. Verified 2026-08-30.
Official Santa Monica sourceAnnual rental registration fee
Effective July 2025$240 per unit FY25-26
Up to $10/mo passthrough with proper notice. Citywide rental registry (all housing types) effective 2026.
Official Santa Monica sourceNo-fault relocation assistance
Effective July 2026$20,500–$39,350 by unit size ($21,450–$41,900 with senior/disabled/minor)
FY26-27 schedule. Verified 2026-08-30.
Official Santa Monica source
Statewide laws that apply in Santa Monica
- 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.
See compliance signals for your Santa Monica property for free
Veluna Rent surfaces California requirements that may apply based on the property details you provide, helps track related deadlines, and gives you a Protection Score in about two minutes. Built for California landlords.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Santa Monica have rent control?
- Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
- 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.