San Francisco rent control: allowed increase March 2026 – February 2027
Allowed increase for covered units: 1.6% (March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027). Previous period: 1.4% (March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026).
Checked against the official San Francisco sources on November 8, 2026. Last site change: November 8, 2026 (changelog).
How the increase is set
60% of the increase in the Bay Area CPI-U, at most 7%. Announced each year, effective March 1 to the end of February.
What else to know
- Dollar amount = current base rent × 0.016.
- Unused annual increases can be banked and imposed later.
- Only one increase in 12 months.
Example
On a rent of $2,000 the most a covered unit can go up is $32, to $2,032 a month.
Which units are covered?
Rental units with a certificate of occupancy issued before June 13, 1979. Newer units and most single-family homes and condos are exempt from the percentage limit (Costa-Hawkins) but may still have eviction protections.
Units that are not covered by the local ordinance are usually covered by the statewide cap instead: 5% plus regional inflation, never more than 10% in 12 months. For increases from Aug 1, 2026: 8.1% to 8.8% depending on the county. California rent increase calculator →
Notice
30 days' written notice for increases of 10% or less, 90 days above 10% (Civil Code §827). See also notice rules by state.
Nearby: Oakland rent control · Berkeley rent control
Sources: SF Rent Board: current rates · DataSF: allowable annual rent increases