San Francisco's Rent Ordinance covers most residential units in buildings that received a certificate of occupancy before June 13, 1979 (and, since 1994, many small owner-occupied buildings). The Rent Board publishes one allowable annual increase each year for March 1 to February 28, equal to 60% of the change in the Bay Area CPI — recent years have been between 1.4% and 3.6%. Unlike Los Angeles, unused increases can be banked and taken later.
The rent cap does not (state law exempts them), but the eviction protections of the Rent Ordinance do for most pre-1979 homes.
The San Francisco Rent Board publishes it each year in advance of March 1 (sf.gov/rentboard).
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Last reviewed September 15, 2026 against San Francisco Rent Board — Allowable Annual Increase. Figures we re-check each year: Allowable increase for Mar 2026 – Feb 2027. General information for landlords and renters, not legal advice; local rules can add requirements.