Rent control is one of the most talked-about topics in California housing. For renters in Long Beach, California, understanding how it works can help avoid unfair rent hikes and sudden evictions. While cities like Los Angeles and Santa Monica have their own strict rent control laws, Long Beach follows statewide rent control, known as AB 1482 or the Tenant Protection Act of 2019.
This article breaks down what that means in everyday language—covering rent limits, qualifications, and other protections you should know about.
What Rent Control Means
“Rent control” means the government limits how much a landlord can raise rent within a year. The purpose is to prevent tenants from being priced out of their homes, especially during times when the cost of living is rising quickly.
In Long Beach, the city itself doesn’t have a separate rent control ordinance. There’s no city-specific cap like Los Angeles’ “Rent Stabilization Ordinance.” Instead, rent increases in Long Beach are limited by California’s statewide rent control law (AB 1482).
So even though people often say “Long Beach rent control,” what they’re actually talking about is the state law that applies across California.
How State Rent Control (AB 1482) Works
The Tenant Protection Act of 2019, or AB 1482, was created to keep rent increases reasonable while still allowing landlords to maintain their properties and earn a fair profit.
Here are the key points of the law:
Rent Increase Limit:
Rent can only go up once every 12 months. The increase is limited to 5% plus the local inflation rate, also called the Consumer Price Index (CPI). However, no matter how high inflation gets, the total rent increase can never be more than 10% in one year.
For example, if inflation in the Los Angeles–Long Beach area is 3%, the maximum legal rent increase would be 8% (5% + 3%).
Applies to Older Buildings:
The law only applies to properties that are at least 15 years old. Newer buildings are exempt.
Just Cause for Eviction:
Landlords can’t evict a tenant for no reason once the tenant has lived in the unit for at least a year. They must have “just cause,” such as unpaid rent, major lease violations, or the owner moving in.
Relocation Payments:
If a tenant is evicted for a “no-fault” reason (for example, the landlord wants to remodel or move in), the landlord may have to pay relocation assistance.
Notice Requirements:
- If the rent increase is 10% or less, landlords must give 30 days’ written notice.
- If the rent increase is more than 10%, landlords must give 90 days’ notice.
Rent Increase Limits in Long Beach
Since Long Beach follows state law, the maximum annual rent increase is based on the statewide formula:
5% + CPI (Consumer Price Index), but not more than 10% total.
The CPI varies from year to year, depending on inflation in the Los Angeles–Long Beach area. In recent years, inflation has ranged between 2% and 5%, which means rent increases have usually been capped between 7% and 10%.
For example:
- In 2024, the allowable increase was around 8%.
- In 2025, depending on the exact CPI, the cap is expected to stay around 8% to 9%.
Even though 8% might not sound like much, that can be several hundred dollars a month for many renters—so it’s important to check if your landlord’s increase is legal.
Who Qualifies for Rent Control
Not every tenant in Long Beach is protected under AB 1482. To find out if your home qualifies, you need to know when it was built, what type of property it is, and who owns it.
You’re likely covered if:
- You live in a multi-unit apartment building (3 or more units).
- The building was built more than 15 years ago.
- You’ve lived there for at least 12 months.
- Your landlord is a company, LLC, or large property owner.
You’re probably not covered if:
- You live in a newer building (less than 15 years old).
- You rent a single-family home or condo owned by an individual person (not a corporation).
- You live in a duplex where the owner lives in one of the units.
- You live in affordable housing or subsidized housing that’s already regulated by other state or federal laws.
If you’re not covered, your landlord isn’t limited by the AB 1482 cap—but they still must follow California’s notice laws and fair housing rules.
Long Beach Zip Codes and Rent Control
Rent control coverage doesn’t depend on where in Long Beach you live—it depends on your property type and age. Whether you’re in downtown (90802), North Long Beach (90805), East Long Beach (90808), or the Belmont Shore area (90803), the same state law applies.
However, housing costs do vary widely by neighborhood.
- Downtown and Alamitos Beach (90802) tend to have older apartment buildings that likely qualify for rent control.
- Bixby Knolls and California Heights (90807) have a mix of single-family homes and duplexes—many of which are exempt.
- East Long Beach (90808, 90815) features newer homes and townhouses that may not fall under the 15-year rule.
- North Long Beach (90805, 90810) has many mid-century apartments that are likely covered under AB 1482.
So while your zip code doesn’t determine whether rent control applies, the age of the building in that area often does.
Other Tenant Protections in Long Beach
Even without its own rent control ordinance, Long Beach has several local protections for renters:
Relocation Assistance:
If a landlord raises rent more than 10% or ends a lease for a “no-fault” reason (such as renovations or moving in), tenants may be entitled to money to help with relocation costs.
Anti-Harassment Rules:
Landlords are not allowed to threaten tenants, shut off utilities, enter without notice, or intentionally make living conditions unbearable.
Just Cause Eviction:
A landlord must have a valid reason to remove a tenant once the tenant has been there for a year. “Just cause” includes non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity—but not simply wanting to raise rent beyond the legal limit.
Rent Notice Requirements:
All rent increases must be in writing. A landlord cannot raise rent suddenly or without proper notice.
Tenant Resources:
The City of Long Beach Housing Authority offers help for renters facing unlawful rent hikes, evictions, or harassment. Tenants can also reach out to legal aid groups and nonprofit housing organizations for guidance.
What Tenants Can Do
If you’re a renter in Long Beach, here are a few simple steps to protect yourself:
- Check the age of your building. You can look up your property on the county assessor’s website to see when it was built. If it’s more than 15 years old, you might be covered.
- Read your lease carefully. Some landlords include a notice stating that the unit is exempt from AB 1482.
- Do the math on rent increases. If your rent went up by more than 10% in one year, it might not be legal.
- Make sure notice periods are followed. Your landlord must give written notice well in advance before increasing rent or ending a lease.
- Ask for help if you’re unsure. Contact local housing services, legal aid, or tenants’ rights groups to review your case.
The Bigger Picture
Rent control in Long Beach is part of a larger effort across California to make housing more affordable. While the city doesn’t have its own rent cap, AB 1482 gives renters in older buildings an important layer of protection.
For landlords, the law means being mindful of annual limits and notice rules. For renters, it means knowing when to speak up if a rent increase seems too high.
In the coming years, there’s an ongoing discussion about whether Long Beach should adopt its own local rent control ordinance, similar to Los Angeles. Some city council members and housing advocates have pushed for stronger tenant protections, while property owners worry about losing flexibility.
Until then, the state law (AB 1482) remains the main source of rent protection in Long Beach.
