Long Beach has no local rent cap, but its own just cause ordinance raises relocation for demolition and substantial remodel to the greater of $4,500 or two months' rent. Here's what Long Beach landlords need to know.
Part of my city-by-city series. See every LA County city side by side →
Long Beach doesn't cap rent any tighter than the state does. So many owners assume Long Beach is "just AB 1482."
It isn't. The difference shows up the day you want your unit back.
No local rent cap
Long Beach has no local rent control. Rent increases are governed by the state's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482): 5% plus regional CPI, never more than 10%. For increases effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, the maximum in LA County is 8.7%.
Long Beach's own just cause ordinance
Long Beach has its own Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies Ordinance (Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.99). It works alongside AB 1482 and adds local requirements for no-fault terminations.
It applies once a tenant has continuously and lawfully lived in the unit for 12 months or more.
Relocation for no-fault terminations
| No-fault reason | Relocation owed |
|---|---|
| Most no-fault reasons (e.g., owner move-in) | One month's rent |
| Demolition or substantial remodel | The greater of $4,500 or two months' rent |
Payment is due within 15 calendar days of the written notice.
Example: on a $2,000 unit, a substantial remodel termination costs $4,500, not $2,000.
Who's exempt from the local just cause rules
• Owner-occupied duplex. If the owner lived in one of the two units when the tenancy started and has lived there throughout, the Long Beach just cause ordinance doesn't apply.
• Tenant-initiated move-outs. If the tenant gives notice and leaves on their own, that isn't a no-fault termination, and no relocation is owed.
Larger buildings
Long Beach has a separate Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (LBMC Chapter 18.25) that applies to buildings with four or more units. If you own a larger building, read it, and talk to counsel, before you make any move.
Check the parcel
Long Beach borders other cities and unincorporated County areas. As we covered in Episode 3, the address on the envelope isn't the answer. Check the parcel.
Your Long Beach checklist
• Rent increases at or below 8.7% through July 31, 2027.
• Just cause after 12 months.
• No-fault: one month's rent.
• Demolition or substantial remodel: the greater of $4,500 or two months' rent.
• Pay within 15 days of the notice.
• Four or more units: read Chapter 18.25.
• Confirm current requirements with the City before you serve anything.
That's five
Hawthorne, El Segundo, Torrance, Redondo Beach, and Long Beach. More cities are on the way.
This article and video are for general educational purposes only and are not legal, tax, or financial advice. Tony Self is a licensed California real estate broker (DRE #01906720) with Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty, not an attorney, and reading this does not create a client relationship. Rent control and eviction laws change often and vary by city and county. Figures are current as of September 2026. Consult a qualified California landlord-tenant attorney about your specific property.
Sources
• City of Long Beach: Tenant and Landlord Resources
• Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.99 (Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies) and Chapter 18.25 (Tenant Relocation Assistance)
Questions about how this affects your rental?
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