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Starting August 1, 2026, the maximum rent increase allowed under California's Tenant Protection Act climbs to 8.7% for covered properties in the Lakewood and Long Beach area, up from 8% the year before. If you own rental property here, that single percentage point matters, and so does knowing whether the law even applies to your unit in the first place.
Many owners assume that because Long Beach has no local rent control ordinance, they have free rein on rent increases. That is only half true. AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019) still applies statewide to qualifying units, and Long Beach layers its own Just Cause Eviction Ordinance on top of it. Understanding where these two rules overlap, and where your property might be exempt from either one, can save you from a costly compliance mistake.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 AB 1482 rent increase cap for the Lakewood and Long Beach area is 8.7%, effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Single-family homes, condos, and buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued within the last 15 years are generally exempt from the rent cap.
Long Beach's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance can still apply even to properties exempt from AB 1482's rent cap.
Proper notice timing and required lease disclosures are just as important as calculating the correct percentage.
How the 2026 Rent Cap Is Calculated
AB 1482 limits covered rent increases to 5% plus the change in the regional Consumer Price Index, capped at 10% total, whichever is lower. For the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area, the April 2026 CPI data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics came in at 3.7%, which brings this year's maximum allowable increase to 8.7%. That figure applies to any qualifying rent increase issued on or after August 1, 2026, and it stays in effect through the following July.
This cap period does not follow the calendar year, which trips up a lot of owners who plan increases around January 1 out of habit. If you are timing a rent adjustment for early 2027, you will still be working under the 8.7% ceiling set this August.
Which Lakewood & Long Beach Properties Are Exempt
Not every rental in Lakewood or Long Beach falls under AB 1482's rent cap. The law generally exempts:
Single-family homes, as long as the owner is not a corporation or REIT
Condominiums, with the same ownership caveat
Duplexes where the owner occupies one unit
Buildings that received their certificate of occupancy within the past 15 years
If your property qualifies for an exemption, you are not bound by the percentage cap, but you still need to serve a valid exemption notice using the exact statutory language required under California Civil Code. An informal note stating the property is "exempt from rent control" will not hold up if it is ever challenged. Owners who want a clearer read on how their specific property is classified and what it is realistically worth on today's market often start with a free rental analysis, which gives you a documented baseline before you make any pricing decisions.
Long Beach's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance Adds Another Layer
Even if your unit is exempt from the rent cap, it may still fall under Long Beach's own Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies Ordinance. This local law requires landlords to state a legally valid reason before ending a tenancy once a resident has lived in the unit for 12 months or more, separate and apart from anything AB 1482 requires.
This distinction catches a lot of owners off guard. Rent increase authority and eviction protection are two separate legal frameworks in Long Beach, and being exempt from one does not mean you are exempt from the other. For no-fault terminations, the ordinance can also require relocation assistance equal to one month's rent for qualifying tenants. If eviction ever becomes necessary on one of your properties, our eviction protection services are built specifically to keep you compliant with both state and local requirements while minimizing your exposure.
Notice Requirements and Common Mistakes
Getting the percentage right is only part of the compliance picture. A rent increase notice also has to:
Be served with the correct advance notice period, typically 30 or 90 days depending on the size of the increase
Reference whether the unit is covered by AB 1482 or include the proper exemption language
Avoid stacking multiple smaller increases that together exceed the annual cap
We regularly see owners run into trouble by reusing an old lease template that predates a recent law change, like the fee disclosure requirements that took effect this January. Keeping your lease documents current is one of the easier compliance wins available to you, and it is one of the areas we review closely for every property we manage. Owners who want a broader sense of what else has changed recently should also take a look at what Lakewood landlords need to know before managing a rental property, since several of the same disclosure and documentation issues show up there too.
FAQ
Does my single-family rental in Lakewood have to follow the 8.7% cap?
Generally no, as long as you are not a corporate or REIT owner. Single-family homes are typically exempt from AB 1482's rent increase cap, though you still need to serve the proper exemption notice.
Can I raise rent by more than 8.7% if my tenant has been there for several years?
Not on a covered property. The 8.7% cap applies per 12-month period regardless of how long the tenant has occupied the unit, and it resets each August 1.
Is Long Beach considering its own rent control ordinance again?
Not currently. Long Beach repealed its prior tenant relocation ordinance after AB 1482 took effect statewide in 2019, and as of 2026 the city has not enacted a new rent stabilization law, though it maintains its separate Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
What happens if I raise rent above the legal limit by mistake?
A tenant can file a complaint, and you may be required to roll back the increase and refund the overcharge, along with potential penalties and attorney fees.
Staying Compliant Protects Your Bottom Line
Rent law in Lakewood and Long Beach is layered enough that a simple miscalculation or an outdated lease clause can cost you real money. The good news is that none of this is complicated once you know which rules apply to your specific property.
If you would rather hand this off entirely, schedule a consultation with our team, and we will make sure every increase, notice, and lease disclosure on your property is handled correctly from day one.
