A. Base Rent Ceiling. Upon adoption of this chapter, no landlord shall charge rent for any rental unit covered by the terms of this chapter affecting rents in an amount greater than the lawful rent which was actually due and payable on, or last preceding, May 31, 1980, under the periodic term of the rental agreement, in accordance with the provisions of the Temporary Rent Stabilization Ordinance, No. 5212-N.S., except as permitted by the board under Sections 13.76.110 and 13.76.120 of this chapter. Such lawful rent in effect on May 31, 1980, is the base rent ceiling and is a reference point from which the rent ceiling shall be adjusted in accordance with Sections 13.76.110 and 13.76.120. For such rental units where no rent was in effect on May 31, 1980, the base rent ceiling shall be the most recent lawful periodic rent in effect for that rental unit during the six months preceding that date. For such rental units where no periodic rent was in effect on May 31, 1980, or during the six months preceding that date and no other rent has been certified or determined by the board after hearing, the base rent ceiling shall be the first periodic rent charged following May 31, 1980.

B. Posting. The board may establish reasonable rules and regulations for the posting of rent ceiling and other relevant information to further the purposes of this chapter.

C. Previously Exempt Units. For rental units specified in Section 13.76.050.F., the base rent ceiling shall be the rent in effect on December 31, 1981. For such rental units where no rent was in effect on December 31, 1981, the base rent ceiling shall be the most recent lawful periodic rent in effect for that rental unit during the six months preceding that date. For such rental units where no periodic rent was in effect on December 31, 1981, or during the six months preceding that date and no other rent has been certified or determined by the board after hearing, the base rent ceiling shall be the first periodic rent charged following December 31, 1981.

D. Vacancy Rent Increases Preserved. This subdivision shall apply to the extent that state law no longer mandates that a landlord may establish the initial rental rate for any tenancy in a unit that is otherwise subject to a residential rent control ordinance. For such rental units where the landlord lawfully established a new initial rent under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code Section 1954.50 et seq.), the Base Rent Ceiling shall be the most recent lawfully established periodic rent. For such rental units that were exempt from rent stabilization pursuant to the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, the Base Rent Ceiling shall be the most recent lawfully established periodic rent. (Ord. 7637-NS § 3, 2018: Ord. 6833-NS § 5 (part), 2004: Ord. 5467-NS § 10, 1982: Ord. 5261-NS § 10, 1980)