The Santa Monica Rent Control Board administers local rent stabilization rules and protections for thousands of residents. The board oversees a system that applies to many older rental units in Santa Monica and helps ensure that rent increases, eviction procedures, and related housing issues are handled according to city law.
Santa Monica adopted rent control in April 1979, when voters approved a charter amendment in response to low vacancy rates and rapidly rising rents. Since then, the city’s rent control system has remained one of the most closely watched in Southern California.
For renters, the board is often the place to turn for information about whether a unit is covered by rent control, how annual rent increases are calculated, and what rights tenants have under local regulations. For property owners, it provides guidance on compliance, including registration requirements, allowable increases, and procedures tied to permitted evictions or unit changes.
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SANTA MONICA RENT CONTROL BOARD Executive Director: Jonathan Holub |
For covered units, Santa Monica allows a yearly General Adjustment set by the Rent Control Board. In September 2025, the board announced a 2.3 percent increase, with a maximum $60 increase for units whose current Maximum Allowable Rent was $2,587 or higher. In practice, that means the amount a landlord can raise the rent depends on the unit’s status, current lawful rent, and compliance with city rules.
The Santa Monica Rent Control Board also serves as a public-facing resource, offering educational materials, forms, and administrative support for residents who need help understanding the city’s housing rules. Because Santa Monica has long been one of the most expensive rental markets in the region, the board’s work has had a lasting impact on both affordability and landlord-tenant relations.
Its role is especially significant in a city where housing costs are high and available rental inventory is limited. By maintaining a clear regulatory structure, the board helps preserve stability for long-term residents while also providing a process for resolving disputes and interpreting the city’s rent control ordinances.
The Santa Monica Rent Control Board is a key part of the city’s effort to balance tenant protections, property rights, and housing policy in one of the most closely regulated rental markets in California.
The Santa Monica Rent Control Board offers public office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on alternate Fridays. Tenants and landlords with questions are encouraged to contact the office by phone or email.
SEE ALSO:
Santa Monica City Council
Santa Monica Planning Commission
Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission