San Leandro Joins the Rent Control Bandwagon

San Leandro has recently adopted a local Residential Rent Stabilization ordinance that will establish city-level limits on how much landlords can increase rent, but this is not the whole story. 

While many headlines focus on the annual rent cap, the ordinance goes much further — reshaping rent increases, exemptions, enforcement, and long-term landlord strategy.

On February 2, 2026, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 2026-001, adding Chapter 4-46 to the San Leandro Municipal Code to establish Residential Rent Stabilization. Starting January 1, 2027, rent increases for covered units will be capped at the lower of 3% or 65% of CPI, based on the rent in effect on July 1, 2025; any rent increases before that date are governed only by existing leases and state law.