Rent-control ordinance does not qualify for ballot in Redwood City

“We built a great community team and learned a lot about the process,” Beetley said. “I think that we got so many people invigorated and into the democratic process.” 

Proponents filed the petition with 6,395 signatures to the City Clerk May 21, providing about 2,000 more than required. 

Vocal against the ballot measure from the beginning, the California Apartment Association sent a letter to city officials claiming the petition did not properly inform voters of implications should the measure pass. Joshua Howard, executive vice president of Local Government Affairs for the organization, said efforts should be focused elsewhere such as rental assistance programs for low-income families.

“We are glad the registrar of voters did their due diligence,” Howard said. “What we need to focus on now is that rent control is not the solution to address the housing challenges that families face in San Mateo County.” 

Current state law mandates certain tenant protections, some of which were passed in 2019, including the prohibition of rent increases over 10% for most tenants — or 5% plus cost-of-living changes — over a 12-month period, and landlords have to fulfill certain criteria if they want to evict tenants. 

According to state law, acceptable eviction reasons include taking the property of the rental market entirely, undergoing substantial remodeling, or what’s considered at-fault evictions, such as breaking lease terms, nonpayment or causing nuisance.