Rent Stabilization
Public Review Period OPEN:
The following draft Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Additional Just Cause and “Ellis Act” Amendments are available for public review through July 10, 2026.
- Draft Rent Stabilization Ordinance – June 10, 2026
-
Draft Additional Just Cause and “Ellis Act” Amendments – June 10, 2026 - Anteproyecto de las Ordenanzas de Estabilización de Alquileres – 10 de junio de 2026
- Anteproyecto de las Enmiendas Adicionales de Causa Justa y la Ley Ellis – 10 de junio de 2026
Please submit your written comments to RSO@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
Ordinance on the Moratorium on Rent Increases
- Ordinance on the Moratorium on Rent Increases_January 13, 2026
- Ordinance on Just Cause Evictions_January 13, 2026
- Ordenanza sobre la moratoria de aumentos de alquiler_13 de enero de 2026
- Ordenanza sobre desalojos por causa justa_13 de enero de 2026
Previous Meetings:
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 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.