In response to the rapidly rising cost of living in the Bay Area, the City of Fremont adopted the Rent Review Ordinance (RRO) which went into effect on January 1, 2018. The Rent Review Ordinance provides for a review and, if necessary, a formal hearing before the Rent Review Board for proposed residential rent increases in excess of 5 percent in any 12-month period.

The source of funding for the RRO is an annual per-unit cost-recovery fee that is approved annually by the Fremont City Council and subsequently billed to residential landlords who have five or more residential rental units located in Fremont (Rent Review Ordinance Section 9.60.130). In determining the fee, staff uses the appropriated expenditure and the number of residential rental units subject to the RRO and apportions the cost equally to residential rental units in the city, as allowed pursuant to state law.

On November 18, 2025, the City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 fee of $23 per unit.

Annual Landlord Fees

On February 18, 2020, the City Council amended the Rent Review Ordinance so that landlords who own less than 5 rental units in Fremont are exempt from the fee. The City sends annual Rent Review Fee invoices to all landlords who own five or more residential rental units in Fremont.