Expand Tenant Protections:
Rescinding the Rent Registry Ordinance
and Program to Support
New Rent Review Program
City Council
June 1, 2026
On May 1, 2023, the City Council approved the FY 2023-25 City of San Pablo City Council Priority Workplan, which included:
#308: Dedicate resources to create a new rental registry (w/ fees to offset city costs) for available San Pablo Housing Opportunities
City Council adopted an ordinance that established a rent registry program The Rent Registry program was established in Summer 2024 The City contracted with HdL Companies to administer the Rent Registry Program Staff collected feedback and conducted a program evaluation Winter 2026 Background
Economic Development & Housing Staff convened a stakeholder workshop on April 22, 2026 with:
ECHO Housing
California Apartment Association
San Pablo Economic Development Corporation
Genoveva Calloway
(ACCE, Rising Juntos, Movement Legal invited but didn’t participate) Tenant workshop with Mobile Home Park residents on
May 28, 2026 in Maple Hall
New San Pablo Housing Hub Webpage launched for the public and engagement https://sanpabloca.gov/housinghub
Background Cont.
Customers have complained about customer service (third party) Staff time utilized due to customers at counter, phone calls etc. Property owners have questioned the benefits the community How does this benefit Tenants?
How does this benefit Housing Providers & Property Owners? Property owners have asked why the need to provide property information if City has access to that information
No realistic penalty for non-registration or non-payment – Only 67% compliant Confusion between all rental housing programs (Business License, RH&S, & Rent Registry) What’s the difference?
Difference criteria and fees for each program?
Rent Registry Feedback
Customer Service Challenges
Third-party administration still requires City staff time (counter, calls) Unclear Community Benefits
Property owners question benefits for tenants and housing providers Redundant property information requests
Redundant Fee’s and Registration Requirements
Non-Verifiable Data
Unable for staff to use data to inform policy because its anecdotal More Up to Date Data Can be Obtained on other Platforms at No Cost Annual reporting results in outdated information
Rental rates fluctuate and the program isn’t designed to capture the changes Findings for Recommendation
Economic Development & Project Management Standing Committee review February 19, 2026
Introduction and Overview of Staff Recommendation
May 13, 2026
Unanimous recommendation to City Council to repeal the Ordinance Previous Action
1. Receive presentation; and
2. Waive the 1st Reading, Introduce the Ordinance repealing the Rent Registry; and
3. Continue preparing a draft of the New Rental Review Ordinance and Program pursuant to FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan Amendment #2 adopted on 03/30/26 per Reso. #2026-041.
Staff Recommended Action