AB 1482 is California's statewide rent cap and just-cause eviction law, enacted 2019. Current cap (Aug 2025–Jul 2026): 6.3% (5% + 1.3% CPI). Max cap ever: 10%.
AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at the lesser of (5% + CPI) or 10%. It applies statewide to residential rentals not covered by a stricter local ordinance. Exemptions: post-February 1995 construction, single-family homes, and condominiums.
For LA buildings, AB 1482 is typically the "backstop" — it applies to buildings outside LA City RSO coverage (e.g., 1978–1994 construction) and to post-1995 Costa-Hawkins exempt buildings on initial rent setting.
Many LA multifamily owners think their building is "rent controlled" when it's actually AB 1482-only — which is meaningfully less restrictive than LA City RSO. The distinction affects pricing, buyer pool, and rent growth trajectory. Get the regime right.
From the Sterman LA Multifamily Glossary — defined the way a broker with $1.41 billion across 254 closed transactions actually uses these terms.
Michael Sterman, Senior Managing Director Investments, Marcus & Millichap.
Thinking about selling? Get a no-obligation evaluation from a broker with $1.41 billion across 254 closed LA multifamily transactions.
Request Free Evaluation →