Proposed Amendments to the
Rent Ordinance
Policy Updates and Clarifications
April 7, 2026
Bill Chapin, Rent Program Director
1 Substantive Policy
2 1. Providing for Council review of Hearing Officer decisions
2. Clarifying availability of Permanent Relocation Payments
3. Protecting a tenant’s right to return after an illegal termination of tenancy
4. Ensuring timely filing of Buyout Agreements
5. Reducing repetitive hearings for rent-adjustment
petitions
Codification of Existing Practices
3 1. Avoiding disputes when rents are temporarily reduced
2. Ensuring full compliance before rents may be increased
3. Disability accommodations for Owner Move-In
4. Clarifying registration and fees for single-room occupancy (SRO) units
Clarifying Amendments
4 1. Clarifying regulations for below-market-rate units
2. Clarifying owner responsibilities after a property transfer
3. Defining “master tenant” to clarify responsibilities in subletting situations
Resolution #1: Program Fees
5 • Program fees to remain constant (except for annual CPI adjustments)
– Current annual Program fees: $170 for fully regulated units and $114 for partially regulated units
– Adds justifications for existing late penalties
• Clarifies ongoing fee waivers for subsidized units
– Fee waiver for housing voucher program (Section 8) participants currently require annual general fund subsidy of approximately $50,000
Resolution #2: Ellis Act Policy
6 • Rescinds obsolete 2019 resolution establishing City’s Ellis Act Policy
– Concerns requirements when withdrawing rental units from the rental market
• Policies are now embodied in an updated Rent Program
administrative regulation
Looking Forward: Utility Charges
7 • Staff has tentatively identified a need to update
regulations concerning how landlords may charge tenants for utility costs
• Currently collecting feedback from stakeholders and
exploring policy options
• Will return in coming months with proposals
Staff Recommendation
8 • Introduce the proposed ordinance to update and clarify the City’s Rent Control laws
• Adopt the two proposed resolutions