New Legislative Updates

Legislative Updates

 San Leandro Rent Control Update

On January 12, 2026, San Leandro's City Council voted 5-1 to advance a new Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance for adoption. The ordinance would cap annual rent increases at 65% of the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower. Landlords would be permitted to file a petition and seek a hearing once in a 12-month period for a "Capital Improvement" or "Fair Return" rent increase beyond the 3% limit. The ordinance does not allow "banking" of unused rent increases and forbids the unbundling of fees included in rent. The draft ordinance comes on the heels of the city's Rental Registry Ordinance which was adopted on April 21, 2025 and will go into effect in July 2026. The Rental Registry Ordinance requires residential rental property owners to register rental units and pay program fees annually.
 
 Berkeley Rent Control Update

The city of Berkeley is considering various amendments to its rent ordinance to be placed on the ballot at the November 2026 general election. The rent board has formed an ad hoc committeeto vet these potential amendments. Some of these possible changes include setting a cap on banked Annual General Adjustments by setting a maximum periodic rent increase, clarifying the release process for owner move-in relocation benefits, applying the vacancy registration requirement to fully covered units only, and amnesty for illegal and unregistered units. They also decided to refer some of their amendment ideas to the 4x4 Joint Task Force Committee on Housing including cooling standards, eviction emergency provisions, immigrant protections, and junk fee regulations. The ad hoc committee will next meet on March 5, 2026 at 3:30pm. You can request information and share your concerns by contacting the Secretary of the Committee, Matt Brown, at (510) 981-4930 or MBrown@berkeleyca.gov.
 
 San Pablo Considers New Just Cause Ordinance

 The San Pablo City Council is scheduled to consider a proposed just cause eviction ordinance on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6pm. The draft ordinance would impose stricter requirements than state law. The ordinance would apply just cause eviction protections from day 1 of a tenancy, rather than after one year. The ordinance also would double relocation assistance payments, restrict rent increases when units are put up for rent, and allow for a right of return for up to one year after a major renovation or an owner move-in. The city is also considering anti-harassment provisions which would bar conduct such as repeated verbal harassment or offering payment to vacate more than once in a 6-month period after a tenant has said she does not want to move. 
 
 Half Moon Bay Contemplates Rental Ordinance Policy Amendment

 On January 20, 2026, Half Moon Bay's City Council considered a report from city staff on the Residential Rent Stabilization Program and the Residential Rental Registry Program, both adopted in 2024. City staff reported that approximately 1,586 rental units were registered at the end of the 2025 rental year, exceeding the city’s initial estimate of about 1,300 units. The staff report detailed that administrative costs to date have exceeded program revenue with the city spending $257,000 while collecting approximately $174,000 in program-related revenue, resulting in an overall cost recovery rate of about 68%. Rent stabilization petitions remained "limited," but the staff reported they anticipated increased costs in administering petitions as awareness grows because each petition requires staff coordination and, when applicable, engagement of a third-party hearing officer. The staff reported a "general" decrease in eviction notices and reported that the local legal aid society had opened 15 cases related to housing instability and was able to prevent eviction in 8 of those cases. 

The staff report suggested three options moving forward - repealing both programs, repealing rent control while keeping rent registry, or keeping both programs. After Council members asked questions and discussed the report, they directed city staff to return with a policy amendment. The City Council will revisit the issue in the coming months. 
 
 
 California Rent Control Bill Fails

A bill to impose stricter rent control caps across the state failed this month. AB1157 would have lowered the statewide rent cap to 2% plus inflation, capped at 5%, expanded rent control to single-family homes, condominiums, accessory dwelling units and individually owned townhomes, and eliminated the 2030 sunset date in the California Tenant Protection Act, passed as AB 1482 in 2019. The vote failed to obtain the minimum required 7 votes at its first committee hearing with 4 votes in favor, 3 against, and 5 abstaining.