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Berkeley · Renting & eviction

Rent increases in Berkeley

Berkeley's yearly adjustment: 65% of the CPI-U rise, 0% to 5%, for covered units whose landlord set no starting rent the prior year.

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Key points

  • Rent increases: Berkeley's yearly adjustment: 65% of the CPI-U rise, 0% to 5%, for covered units whose landlord set no starting rent the prior year.

Each rule below links to the section of the Berkeley Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Berkeley's code says

Berkeley code What Berkeley's code adds
Annual increase limit
  • 65% of the CPI-U rise for 12 months to June 30 (San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose), never below 0% or above 5%.
    Applies: Takes effect January 1 for covered units whose landlord did not set a starting rent the prior year, after at least 30 days' written notice.
    § 13.76.110 · code text
    the rent ceiling for all rental units covered by this Chapter for which the landlord did not establish an initial rent during the prior calendar year shall be adjusted by 65% of the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
Floor or ceiling on the increase
  • The yearly adjustment can never be less than 0%.
    Applies: Applies to the annual general adjustment.
    § 13.76.110 · code text
    In no event, however, shall the allowable annual adjustment be less than zero (0%) or greater than five percent (5%).
  • The yearly adjustment can never be more than 5%.
    Applies: Applies to the annual general adjustment.
    § 13.76.110 · code text
    In no event, however, shall the allowable annual adjustment be less than zero (0%) or greater than five percent (5%).
How often rent can go up
  • Once a year, effective January 1.
    Applies: Annual general adjustment; takes effect only after at least 30 days' written notice to the tenant.
    § 13.76.110 · code text
    Effective January 1 of each year, the rent ceiling for all rental units covered by this Chapter
Petitions and pass-throughs
  • Landlord may petition to add the unit's average utility cost to the rent ceiling.
    Applies: When a lease signed after February 6, 2024 charges the tenant for utilities in violation of the utility-payment rules.
    § 13.76.100 · code text
    the landlord may petition pursuant to Section 13.76.120 of this Chapter to adjust the rent ceiling to include the average cost of utilities for the unit.

The California rule underneath

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Rent cap right now: 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.8% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Berkeley?

Berkeley's yearly adjustment: 65% of the CPI-U rise, 0% to 5%, for covered units whose landlord set no starting rent the prior year.

General information, not legal advice.

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Berkeley Municipal Code — full text