San Jose has a local rent-stabilization ordinance listed on the Attorney General’s chart (San Jose Mun. Code, chapter 17.23). Check it before you raise rent: it can be stricter than the statewide cap and has its own exemptions. Check your local rent rules and the city’s ordinance before you raise rent or serve a notice.
Does San Jose have rent control?
Yes. The Attorney General’s chart lists San Jose.
| Ordinance | How the cap works (AG summary) | Figure the AG lists |
|---|---|---|
| San JoseSan Jose Mun. Code, chapter 17.23 | For buildings with 3 or more units, and with certificates of occupancy issued on or before 9/7/79, one increase in a 12-month period of up to 5%. Check with San Jose for further information on issues such as Section 8 coverage and banking rent increases. | 5%Every 12 months |
Source: California Attorney General, Limits on Rent Increases, read Nov 13, 2026. The chart is informational. A local cap applies instead of the statewide cap when it is lower; many local ordinances exempt newer buildings or most single-family homes and condos.
Is there an emergency rent cap in San Jose right now?
Check the emergency order tracker for any active order covering this county, and the Cal OES price-gouging page.
Where do I find San Jose’s official pages?
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum rent increase in San Jose?
San Jose has a local cap on the Attorney General’s chart (San Jose Mun. Code, chapter 17.23); the AG lists “5%” for “Every 12 months”. Use the lower of the local cap and the statewide cap, and check the exemptions in the ordinance.
Do I need just cause to end a tenancy in San Jose?
For most tenancies of 12 months or more (or 24 months if all adult tenants have been there less than 12), state law requires a stated just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2). Check whether the city adds its own rules.
Is there an emergency rent cap in San Jose now?
Possibly. Emergency price-gouging orders are county- or city-wide and change quickly. See the tracker.
Sources
- California Attorney General: Limits on Rent Increases (local chart)
- California Courts Self-Help: landlord eviction information
Local ordinances change often and this page may be out of date. Check the linked official sources, your city and, for decisions that matter, a qualified California attorney. Read the disclaimer.