| Government Affairs |
Redwood City Council Unanimously Opposes Rent Control Ballot Measure
In a decisive 6-0 vote, the Redwood City Council has officially opposed the Redwood City Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance, which will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Saying there was nothing "fair or affordable" in the measure and using terms like, "moral obligation," and "fiduciary duty," six of the seven councilmembers made persuasive arguments on why they need to inform the voting citizens of Redwood City about the dangers of this measure. Councilmembers will actively campaign against the measure and want to make sure the public understands that the council did not write this measure nor support it.
Only one councilmember, Chris Sturken, who represents District 2, deviated from the discussion. Councilmember Sturken expressed greater concern with implementation of the ordinance, dismissing the public's concern and pushing back against arguments raised by opponents of the measure.
SAMCAR, the California Apartment Association, and numerous small family housing providers, Realtors, and concerned single family, mobile home, condo, townhome, and ADU property owners testified in support of an OPPOSE position. Comments were kept positive and focused on data and facts that the public will need to make an informed decision.
The Council's decision follows an independent supplemental economic impact analysis that concluded the measure extends far beyond traditional rent control and could have significant unintended consequences for tenants, housing providers, affordable housing, and the City's financial stability.
The report found the ordinance would create an extensive new regulatory framework that includes expanded eviction restrictions, relocation payment requirements, tenant safety plans, appeals, enforcement procedures, and a rental registry. Collectively, these provisions could discourage investment in rental housing, reduce property improvements, increase operating costs, and make it more difficult to build and preserve housing.
The analysis also projects annual program costs between $5 million and $11.1 million, raising concerns that implementation costs may exceed fee revenue and place additional pressure on a City already facing a projected budget deficit.
Perhaps most concerning, the ordinance would expand many of these regulations to housing types that have historically been exempt from local rent control, including certain single-family homes, condominiums, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), mobile homes, and affordable housing developments.
The Council noted the cumulative impacts of the measure could ultimately reduce housing investment, limit future housing production, increase taxpayer exposure, and make it more difficult for responsible housing providers to maintain and improve their properties.
SAMCAR applauds the six Redwood City Councilmembers for carefully reviewing the independent economic analysis and taking a position based on the long-term interests of the entire community. We encourage Realtors, property owners, homeowners, and renters to learn more about the measure before casting their vote this November.
