What's the maximum rent increase in Santa Monica for September 2026 – August 2027?
2.6%
Santa Monica's General Adjustment is 2.6% from September 1, 2026, capped at a $70 increase for units with a maximum allowable rent of $2,674 or more.
- In effect
- September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027
- Next change
- September 1, 2027
- Set by
- Santa Monica Rent Control Board · City charter
- Last checked
- October 17, 2026
The September 2026 General Adjustment (GA), with a maximum increase of $70 for units whose maximum allowable rent is $2,674 or more.
How the Santa Monica cap is calculated
75% of LA-area CPI (12 months to March), with a dollar ceiling
About 75% of the percentage change in the CPI for the Los Angeles area for the 12 months ending in March. The ceiling is also set by formula; the AG summary lists a 3% maximum. Owners may also pass through half the registration fee ($10 a month for 2026/27) and certain property-tax surcharges.
CPI input, from the BLS public API
| Series | From | To | Change | Formula | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-U, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | March 2025: 340.648 | March 2026: 352.221 | 3.40% | 75% × = 2.55% | Official: 2.6% (official GA) |
Index values from api.bls.gov (not seasonally adjusted), pulled October 17, 2026. Agencies may use different months, averages or rounding, so the headline figure on this page is always the officially published one.
Law: Rent Control Law, Santa Monica City Charter § 1800 et seq.
Who it covers, and who's exempt
Covered
- Controlled units with certificates of occupancy issued before April 10, 1979 (per the CA AG summary)
Main exemptions & conditions
- Buildings of 1–3 units where the owner lives in one of the units throughout the tenancy (per the CA AG summary)
- California's Costa-Hawkins rule (summarized by the CA Attorney General): local rent caps do not apply to buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995, or to most single-family homes and condos. Those units may still be covered by the statewide AB 1482 cap.
- The GA applies only if the tenancy started before September 1 of the previous year, fees are paid, the tenancy is registered and there are no uncorrected code citations
Notice, and when it changes next
Notice: At least 30 days' written notice; the Board publishes a Notice of Change in Terms of Tenancy form.
Next change: The Board announces the next General Adjustment in spring 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2027.
Official sources
“The Rent Control Board announced a September 2026 General Adjustment (GA) of 2.6% for eligible units, with a maximum $70 increase for units with current maximum allowable rents of $2,674 and above.”
“For units with certificates of occupancy issued before 4/10/79”
See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.
Frequently asked
What is the maximum rent increase in Santa Monica for September 2026 – August 2027?
Santa Monica's General Adjustment is 2.6% from September 1, 2026, capped at a $70 increase for units with a maximum allowable rent of $2,674 or more.
How is the Santa Monica rent cap calculated?
About 75% of the percentage change in the CPI for the Los Angeles area for the 12 months ending in March. The ceiling is also set by formula; the AG summary lists a 3% maximum. Owners may also pass through half the registration fee ($10 a month for 2026/27) and certain property-tax surcharges.
Which rentals are exempt from the Santa Monica cap?
Buildings of 1–3 units where the owner lives in one of the units throughout the tenancy (per the CA AG summary). California's Costa-Hawkins rule (summarized by the CA Attorney General): local rent caps do not apply to buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995, or to most single-family homes and condos. Those units may still be covered by the statewide AB 1482 cap. The GA applies only if the tenancy started before September 1 of the previous year, fees are paid, the tenancy is registered and there are no uncorrected code citations.
When does the Santa Monica rent cap change next?
The Board announces the next General Adjustment in spring 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2027.
Where does this Santa Monica figure come from?
From City of Santa Monica, Rent Control Board: “Maximum Lawful Rent”, which we last checked on October 17, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.