| Government Affairs |
Attention Housing Providers: Redwood City Adds Tenant Protections
Voting 4-2 with one council member absent, the Redwood City Council on Monday, October 13, 2025, acted in favor of adding three new provisions to the Anti-Displacement Program.
The anti-displacement ordinance now includes up to four months of relocation assistance (dismissing state law AB1482's one month requirement), expands the property eligibility assistance from five units to two units or more (going after small mom and pop housing providers), minimum lease terms, and providing tenants with the right to return after a substantial remodel at the federal Fair Market Rate (not at previous rent).
The income eligibility requirements for low-income tenants are included, but administrative guidelines are still being worked out.
Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos, and Councilmembers Diane Howard, Kaia Eakin, and Chris Sturken voted in favor of the ordinance. Councilmembers Jeff Gee and Isabella Chu voted against the measure, while Councilmember Marcella Padilla was absent.
SAMCAR and the California Apartment Association (CAA) argued against the ordinance. SAMCAR argued that the ordinance will create a disincentive for property owners and developers to invest in rental housing, that it places increased financial burdens to housing providers on top of the relocation payment increase, lead to legal and administrative complexities, and minimizes tenant protections already found in state laws, AB 1482 and SB 567.
Furthermore, that the data presented by staff showed a low number of cases over a ten-year period that did not constitute a crisis or large numbers necessitating additions to the ordinance. A consultant's financial analysis tried to suggest that housing providers could recoup their costs over a ten-year period. Staff also shared that they will be adding consultants now that the program is approved, adding to taxpayer expense.
Councilmember Gee, an architect and construction expert by trade, shared his expertise with fellow councilmembers and raised concerns that the consultant's financial analysis was questionable. Councilmember Chu was concerned about rental housing in her district needing repairs and that this ordinance would discourage that. Both Gee and Chu requested that staff follow up with better data, articles, and studies on the true impact to both tenants and housing providers should this matter be brought up again in the future.
