Santa Barbara City Council Shapes Permanent Rent Stabilization Ordinance
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The Santa Barbara City Council has given direction on a permanent rent stabilization ordinance, aiming to have a draft ready by summer for implementation in early 2027. The ordinance aims to stabilize rents for around 12,000 to 17,000 units, with the council considering various exemptions and a potential rental registry.
The Santa Barbara City Council has outlined the basic elements of its upcoming rent stabilization ordinance. The policy directives will be used to draft a permanent citywide rent cap program. The council hearing was the latest in a series of public meetings on rent stabilization. Property owners have pushed back against the idea, considering it an overreach of government power. A consultant team has been working with the city to facilitate discussion and gather input from community members. They have researched other California cities' rent stabilization programs. There are over 23,000 rental units in Santa Barbara, with around half being multifamily properties. The number of units covered by the program could range from 12,000 to 17,000. The council has rejected a proposal to put the item to a citywide vote, instead opting to continue through the regular planning process. Opinions on the policy vary widely among tenants, housing advocates, and property owners.
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