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Merced · Renting & eviction

Rent increases in Merced

City law: no rent increase for 6 months after a tenant returns from a demolish, remodel or repair displacement, with listed exceptions. State law: covered units may rise at most 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

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Key points

  • Rent freeze: City law: no rent increase for 6 months after a tenant returns from a demolish, remodel or repair displacement, with listed exceptions.
  • State rent cap: State law: covered units may rise at most 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

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

What Merced's code says

Merced code What Merced's code adds
Units covered
  • Exempt if the property is exempt from rent limits under Civil Code § 1947.12 or § 1954.50 et seq.
    Applies: An exception to the 6-month rent freeze after a tenant returns from repair or rehabilitation.
    § 9.75.050 · code text
    A property that is exempt from rent limits imposed by Civil Code Section 1947.12 or Civil Code Section 1954.50 et seq. is exempt from this section.
  • Does not apply when the tenant declines to return and the landlord sets the starting rent for a new tenant.
    Applies: An exception to the 6-month rent freeze after a tenant returns from repair or rehabilitation.
    § 9.75.050 · code text
    This section does not apply when a unit becomes vacant following a tenant's decision to decline their right to return and the landlord sets the initial rent for a new tenancy.
  • Does not apply where a written rental agreement signed before January 8, 2023 schedules rent increases.
    Applies: An exception to the 6-month rent freeze after a tenant returns from repair or rehabilitation.
    § 9.75.050 · code text
    This section does not apply to a property where one or more scheduled rent increases occur pursuant to a written rental agreement that was entered into before January 8, 2023.
How often rent can go up
  • No rent increase for 6 months.
    Applies: Only after a tenant returns from a demolish, remodel or repair displacement; counted from the date the tenant returns.
    § 9.75.050 · code text
    A landlord may not increase rent on a property subject to Section 9.75.040 above, for six (6) months from the date that the tenant returns to the respective unit following completion of repair or rehabilitation.

The California rule underneath

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Rent cap right now: 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.6% 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 Merced?

City law: no rent increase for 6 months after a tenant returns from a demolish, remodel or repair displacement, with listed exceptions. State law: covered units may rise at most 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Merced's rent increases rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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More on renting & eviction in Merced

All renting & eviction rules in Merced

Eviction and just cause in Merced

California's statewide rent cap

Merced Municipal Code — full text