Rent control in the South Bay comes down to two questions. First, does the statewide law cover your property? For most owners, the answer is yes. Second, did your specific city add its own stricter rules on top? That is where South Bay cities differ. Here is where things stand in 2026.
The statewide rule that covers most owners: AB 1482
California’s Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the regional cost-of-living change (CPI), up to a maximum of 10%. For the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim area, the cap for increases taking effect between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027 is 8.7%. It also requires a “just cause” reason to end most tenancies after a renter has lived there 12 months.
AB 1482 covers most multifamily housing more than 15 years old. Newer construction (within the last 15 years), and some single-family homes and condos with the proper written notice, are exempt. The law is currently set to sunset on January 1, 2030 unless the state extends it.
Does Redondo Beach have rent control?
No local rent control ordinance. Redondo Beach follows the state rules, so AB 1482 (the 8.7% cap this year and just-cause protections) applies to covered properties.
Does Torrance have rent control?
No local ordinance. Torrance owners follow AB 1482, the same statewide rules.
What about Gardena, Hawthorne, and Manhattan Beach?
These cities generally do not have local rent-control caps like Inglewood, so AB 1482 applies to covered properties. Gardena also has a local rent-mediation process, so owners there should check the city’s notice and mediation rules.
Does Inglewood have rent control?
Yes, and it works differently by building size. For properties with 5 or more units, the annual cap is 3% or the change in inflation, whichever is greater (currently about 3.7%). For properties with 4 or fewer units, the cap is 5% plus inflation (currently about 8.7%). No increase may exceed 10% either way. Inglewood also requires rental registration and follows just-cause eviction rules. These figures reset each year with the April CPI, so confirm the current numbers with the City of Inglewood before raising rent or serving a notice.
What if my property is in the City of LA or unincorporated LA County?
Those areas have their own, stronger systems. The City of LA’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) covers most older units with a lower cap and its own eviction and relocation rules, and unincorporated LA County has a separate rent stabilization ordinance. If your property sits in either, those local rules apply instead of AB 1482.
Quick reference
| Area | Local rent control? | What applies in 2026 |
| Redondo Beach | No | AB 1482 (8.7% cap) |
| Torrance | No | AB 1482 (8.7% cap) |
| Gardena | No local rent-control caps | AB 1482 (8.7% cap); rent mediation applies |
| Hawthorne | No | AB 1482 (8.7% cap) |
| Manhattan Beach | No | AB 1482 (8.7% cap) |
| Inglewood | Yes | 3.7% (5+ units) / 8.7% (4 or fewer) — confirm with city |
| City of Los Angeles | Yes | RSO for covered units (stricter) |
| Unincorporated LA County | Yes | County rent stabilization (stricter) |
What this means for you as an owner
If your property is in Redondo Beach, Torrance, Gardena, Hawthorne, or Manhattan Beach, you are working under one set of statewide rules, and this year’s ceiling on a rent increase is 8.7% for covered units. If you own in Inglewood, the City of LA, or unincorporated LA County, you are under stricter local caps and should confirm the exact number and notice requirements before you act. The easiest way to get an over-the-limit increase or a defective notice is to assume every city is the same. They are not.
At Jamico Properties, we manage across these overlapping rules every day, so our owners stay compliant on caps, notices, and just-cause requirements without having to track each city’s ordinance themselves. If you are not sure which rules apply to your property, reach out and we will map it out for you.
This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Rent-control rules change and vary by property, so confirm the current requirements for your specific address with the city or a qualified professional.
Sources
AB 1482 cap (8.7% for the LA area, Aug 1 2026 to Jul 31 2027; 5% + CPI, max 10%): LA County Dept. of Consumer & Business Affairs, “Rent Increases” — dcba.lacounty.gov/portfolio/rent-increases
AB 1482 coverage, exemptions, and Jan 1, 2030 sunset: California Apartment Association — caanet.org/topics/ab-1482
Redondo Beach (no local ordinance): RentCheckMe, “Rent Control in Redondo Beach (2026)” — rentcheckme.com/articles/rent-control-in-redondo-beach
Torrance (no local ordinance): RentCheckMe, “Rent Control in Torrance (2026)”
Hawthorne (no local ordinance): RentCheckMe, “Rent Control in Hawthorne (2026)”
Gardena rent mediation: City of Gardena, “Rent Mediation” — cityofgardena.org/rent-mediation/; Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 14.04 — ecode360.com/48206975
Inglewood cap (3.7% for 5+ units, 8.7% for 4 or fewer, 10% hard cap): City of Inglewood, “Allowable Rent Increases” — cityofinglewood.org/1594/Allowable-Rent-Increases
City of LA RSO and unincorporated LA County rent stabilization: LA Housing Dept. (housing.lacity.gov) and LA County DCBA (dcba.lacounty.gov/rentstabilizationprogram)
About the Author
Christie Slatcher is the owner and CEO of Jamico Properties, a family-owned property management company that has looked after rental property in the South Bay and in Tulsa since 1995. Her team manages more than 2,400 units across both markets, from single rentals to multi-unit buildings. She writes from what actually comes up in the day to day, not from theory.
Jamico Properties, a DBA of Jamison Management Company. DRE #01356743.