CAA prepares campaign against Redwood City rent control petition

The California Apartment Association is preparing to lead the campaign against a potential Redwood City ballot measure that seeks to bring local rent control to the city and impose strict rent and eviction limits on covered rental housing.

If the measure qualifies for the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot and wins voter approval, Redwood City landlords would face a variety of new limits on rent increases, relocation payments, and evictions. In addition, the measure subjects housing providers to city-administered rent hearings and a new annual fee to fund the new regulations.

Backers of the measure reportedly submitted more than 7,500 signatures from Redwood City voters. Election officials have until early June to verify the signatures, and if at least 10% of Redwood City voters submitted valid signatures, the measure would be eligible to appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.

Among other provisions, the measure would cap annual rent increases for many pre-1995 units at 60% of the local Consumer Price Index, up to 5%, and create a city-administered rent program funded through annual landlord fees.

The measure also would tighten just-cause eviction rules. For no-fault evictions, landlords would have to provide relocation assistance equal to four times monthly fair market rent or $12,000, whichever is greater. Tenants 62 or older would receive an additional $6,000, according to the city attorney summary.

The petition comes shortly after Redwood City's separate tenant protection ordinance took effect Jan. 1. That ordinance includes minimum lease-term requirements, just-cause eviction protections and relocation assistance. Landlords in Redwood City also must comply with state rent-increase limits under Civil Code Section 1947.12, which generally caps annual increases at 5% plus the local CPI or 10%, whichever is lower. However, if this measure passes, the tenant protection ordinance would be largely nullified, and units built before Feb 1995 would face stricter rent increase limits.

CAA unequivocally opposes the proposed ballot measure and is preparing to lead a campaign to defeat the measure should it make the Nov ballot. CAA has a successful record of defeating rent control ballot measures in cities neighboring Redwood City including San Mateo (2016), Burlingame (2016), Pacifica (2018).

The measure has not yet qualified for the ballot. CAA is tracking the signature-verification process as officials review whether the petition has enough valid signatures to proceed.