San Francisco Rent Control
Primavera Realty · Resource Guide
San Francisco Rent Control, Explained
How the city’s Rent Ordinance works — which units it covers, how much rent can go up each year, and the just-cause rules that govern evictions.
The SF Rent Ordinance
San Francisco has its own rent-control law — the Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance (Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code), administered by the San Francisco Rent Board. It’s generally stricter than California’s statewide law and does two main things: it limits annual rent increases on covered units, and it requires “just cause” to evict.
Where both apply, the local ordinance typically governs covered SF units; the statewide AB 1482 acts as a backstop for properties the city ordinance doesn’t reach.
Which units are covered
Rent (price) control generally applies to units with a certificate of occupancy issued before June 13, 1979. Because of California’s Costa-Hawkins Act, single-family homes and condominiums are exempt from the price limits, and landlords can reset rent to market when a unit becomes vacant (known as vacancy decontrol).
Important nuance: even some units that aren’t under price control still receive the ordinance’s just-cause eviction protections. Coverage for rent increases and coverage for eviction protection aren’t always the same thing.
How much rent can increase
For covered units, the allowable annual increase is set by the Rent Board each year and takes effect March 1. It’s calculated as 60% of the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI), rounded to the nearest tenth, and capped at 7%.
Recent allowable increases:
• March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026: 1.4%
• March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027: 1.6%
These figures change every year — confirm the current rate with the SF Rent Board before raising rent.
Just-cause eviction
To evict a tenant from a covered unit, a landlord must have one of the ordinance’s enumerated “just cause” reasons — and it must be the dominant motive. These include at-fault grounds (non-payment, breach of lease, nuisance) and no-fault grounds (owner or relative move-in, Ellis Act withdrawal, capital improvements, substantial rehabilitation).
Two things that do not count as just cause on their own: the simple expiration of a lease, or a change in the building’s ownership. No-fault evictions generally require relocation payments, which the city updates annually.
Please note: This is general educational information, not legal advice. San Francisco’s rules are detailed and change over time. For the current allowable increase, the full list of just causes, and your specific situation, consult the San Francisco Rent Board or a qualified attorney.
Own (or buying) a San Francisco rental?
Rent-control status can significantly affect a building’s value and your options. We’re glad to help you understand what you have.