If you own a rental in San Diego and you’re wondering how much a landlord can raise rent in 2026, here’s the short answer: for any increase that takes effect between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027, California’s AB 1482 caps you at 8.2% in San Diego County. That’s 5% plus our regional inflation figure of 3.2% — and it’s actually down from the 8.8% cap that applied through July 2026.
I’m Amara, and our team manages and sells homes for owners all over San Diego. The rent-cap question comes up constantly right now, because the number just changed and the timing of your notice decides which cap you’re stuck with. Let’s make it simple.
Key takeaways for San Diego owners
- 8.2% is the cap for AB 1482-covered rentals in San Diego County, effective dates Aug 1, 2026–Jul 31, 2027.
- The formula is 5% + local CPI (3.2%), and it can never exceed 10% total.
- What matters is the effective date of the increase, not the day you serve notice.
- Only two increases are allowed in any 12-month period, and together they can’t exceed the cap.
Who this is for — and why it matters
This is for the San Diego owner who wants to keep a good tenant and keep pace with rising costs — property taxes, insurance, maintenance — without accidentally tripping a state law. Get the number wrong and an over-cap increase can be void, which means a refund, an unhappy tenant, and sometimes penalties. The relief is that once you know the rule, it’s genuinely straightforward.
The 8.2% cap in real dollars
Percentages get abstract fast, so here’s what 8.2% looks like on real San Diego rents.
| Current rent | Max increase (8.2%) | New rent |
|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | +$205 | $2,705 |
| $3,000 | +$246 | $3,246 |
| $3,800 | +$311.60 | $4,111.60 |
| $5,000 | +$410 | $5,410 |
Is your property even covered?
AB 1482 doesn’t apply to everything. This is the piece owners most often get wrong, so check your property against it before you rely on the cap — or before you assume you’re exempt.
| Generally covered | Generally exempt |
|---|---|
| Apartments & multifamily over 15 years old | Housing built within the last 15 years |
| Most condos & homes owned by corporations/LLCs | Single-family homes & condos owned by individuals (with proper written notice of exemption) |
| Older duplexes where owner doesn’t occupy | Owner-occupied duplexes |
The cap isn’t the enemy of a healthy rental. A fair, on-time, correctly-capped increase keeps a paying tenant in place — and a kept tenant beats a vacancy every single time.
That last point is the whole game. I broke down the real cost of turnover in how to reduce tenant turnover in San Diego — a smart raise under the cap almost always beats an empty unit. And if you’re planning increases, don’t forget the other 2026 rule change I covered in San Diego’s landlord security deposit rules.
Noticing it correctly
Two timing rules trip people up. First, an increase of 10% or less needs 30 days’ written notice in California. Second — and this is the 2026 gotcha — the cap is set by the increase’s effective date, not the notice date. If you served notice earlier under the 8.8% cap but the raise lands on or after August 1, 2026, you’re limited to 8.2%. When in doubt, recalculate against the effective date.
FAQ
Can I raise rent twice in one year?
Yes, but no more than two increases in any 12-month period, and the combined total can’t exceed the 8.2% cap.
What if my single-family home is exempt?
If it qualifies and you gave the required written exemption notice in the lease, AB 1482’s cap doesn’t limit your increase — but you still owe proper 30- or 90-day notice and can’t raise rent for a discriminatory or retaliatory reason.
Where does the 3.2% CPI figure come from?
It’s the regional CPI change published for the San Diego area, updated annually (California Apartment Association). Because it changes each year, the cap changes with it.
Want us to handle the rent increases for you?
Our San Diego property management team keeps your increases compliant, your notices on time, and your good tenants in place. Get a free rental analysis and see what your property should be earning.
Amara Berg helps San Diego owners protect and grow their real estate — sales and full-service property management. I break a lot of this down on Instagram · Facebook · YouTube. Questions on your rental? Reach out here.
Educational only — not legal advice. Rent-control rules, exemptions, and CPI figures change; verify your specific situation before serving notice. Amara Berg, CA DRE #01961620; Big Returns / Homeownership Champion, CA DRE #02322119. Equal Housing Opportunity.