Storm Forecast for Santa Barbara County | Tormenta pronosticada para el Condado de Santa Bárbara

21159

Sandbag Information | Información sobre sacos de arena

21161

Central Library will open at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 27th. 

20688

The Plane Pull returns to SBA October 24! Register your team today. 

20681
Sidebar Widgets

Rent Stabilization Program & Ordinance Comments
RSO@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Rental Increase Moratorium Hotline: 805-560-7559
Title

Rent Stabilization

The City is conducting a special recruitment for the Rent Stabilization Board. Applications are due December 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Apply to the Board.

Body

The City of Santa Barbara Rent Stabilization Program is currently under development ahead of the January 2027 launch. Check back here for additional program information & resources in November 2026.

Landlords will be able to increase rents on or after January 1, 2027. The annual general adjustment will be 2.1% effective January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027.  Landlords are required to give at least 30 days’ notice of a rent increase.

On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Council adopted the Residential Rent Stabilization and Residential Rental Registry Programs Ordinance (Item 5) by a 4-3 vote, establishing rules for annual rent adjustments and outlining petition processes for tenants and landlords. The ordinance establishes a Rent Stabilization Board that will provide guidance on the new program and hear appeals on petitions. Moreover, the program establishes a rental registry that will include all rental properties in the City and support program administration and enforcement for rent-stabilized units.

Staff will now begin program implementation, which includes conducting a fee study, hiring of a program administrator, building the rental registry, and preparing informational materials and resources for both tenants and landlords, as outlined in the ordinance amending the Santa Barbara Municipal Code. The City will share updates as implementation moves forward and more information becomes available.

To review the full meeting agenda, key documents, and recordings, visit City Council Meetings.

Video Links:

Previous Meetings:

On September 29, 2026, Council discussed the Residential Rent Stabilization and Residential Rental Registry Ordinance (Item 2). Deliberations focused on exemptions for deed-restricted affordable housing and qualifying Section 8 voucher holder tenancies, as recommended by the Housing Authority. Council discussed how habitability concerns would be addressed for tenants in exempt units and directed staff to further evaluate options, including through the City's upcoming Just Cause Ordinance amendments.

Council voted 4–3 to introduce the Ordinance with the specified exemptions and amendments. The Ordinance will return to Council on October 6, 2026, for adoption.

Council also voted 4–3 to adopt a Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to allocate $500,000 from the Measure I Flexible Housing and Homelessness Fund to support implementation of the Residential Rent Stabilization and Residential Rental Registry programs.

To review the full meeting agenda, key documents, and recordings, visit City Council Meetings.

Video Links:

On September 22, 2026, the City Council will introduce an ordinance establishing the Residential Rent Stabilization and Residential Rental Registry Programs. The Council will consider a resolution to amend the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to allocate funds from the Measure I Flexible Housing and Homelessness Fund to support program implementation.

Documents:

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the City Council will receive report summaries on the public comments received during the 30-Day Public Comment period on the June 10, 2026 Public Review Drafts of the Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause Ellis Act Amendments Ordinance.

Council Meeting Agenda: Item 23 (July 28, 2026)
Council Agenda Report: Item 23 (July 28, 2026)

All public comments received are being published for reference.


The following draft Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Additional Just Cause and “Ellis Act” Amendments are available for public review.

Ordinance on the Moratorium on Rent Increases

Review frequently asked questions about the recent Tenant Protection Ordinances and the Rental Housing Mediation Program

On June 9, the City Council was presented with the Draft Rent Stabilization Ordinance and approved the opening of a 30-Day Public Comment period to solicit input from the public on the draft Ordinance. 

On May 19, the City Council received the supplemental research requested in consideration of key policy components of a Rent Stabilization Program to provide final direction to staff for drafting the ordinance.

On April 7, the City Council received a status update on the Rent Stabilization Program Work Plan, including the results of the community focus groups held in February and March 2026. The Council provided final direction to staff on the key policy components needed to begin drafting a Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

On January 27, the Council read and adopted the tenant protection ordinance along with amendments to the Just Cause Evictions Ordinance. The ordinances will take effect 30 days after adoption and remain in effect through December 31, 2026, while City officials continue developing a permanent rent stabilization ordinance, expected to be considered later this year

 
On January 13, the City Council considered tenant protection ordinances, including a temporary rent increase moratorium and amendments to the Just Cause Ordinance to implement additional protections authorized by the “Ellis Act.” The moratorium pauses rent increases for units built before 1995, except single-family dwellings, condominiums, and certain other rentals as required by state law.
 

On December 16, 2025, the Santa Barbara City Council received a comprehensive presentation and staff report outlining the proposed policy direction and work plan for developing a Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Program. The Council provided preliminary feedback to guide further research and emphasized the need to balance program effectiveness with administrative feasibility. As part of the discussion, Council voted to return in January 2026 to consider a temporary Rent Increase Moratorium Ordinance and potential amendments to the Residential Just Cause Ordinance addressing Ellis Act no-fault evictions.
 
Sections

City Council - April 7, 2026 (Item 14)

City Council - January 27, 2026 (Item 2)

City Council - January 13, 2026 (Item 14)

City Council Meeting - December 16, 2025 - 5pm (Item 12)