CITY OF SAN PABLO · CITY COUNCIL
Rent Control & Just‐Cause Eviction
Ballot Initiative
Certificate of Sufficiency of Signatures & Council Decision on Next Steps Meeting Date: Monday, June 15, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
The Decision Before Council Tonight
The County Elections Department has certified the petition. Council is asked to take two actions. 1 Accept the Certificate of Sufficiency
Adopt the resolution accepting the
County's Certificate of Sufficiency of
Signatures confirming the petition has
qualified for the ballot.
2 Choose the Path Forward
Staff recommends that the Council elect
to prepare a report pursuant to Elections
Code §9215 studying the Initiative
Ordinance. If the Council does not take
this action, it must either adopt the
ordinance or send it to the voters.
What the Ballot Initiative Would Do
The measure would apply to rental housing in San Pablo, including mobilehomes.
Limit Rent Increases Caps annual housing rent increases citywide, with limited exceptions.
Just‐Cause Eviction Rules Establishes new just-cause eviction criteria and additional eviction procedures.
New Tenant Safety Plan Requires a new Tenant Safety Plan program administered by the City.
Landlord Program Fee Imposes a fee on landlords to fund the new program and its administration.
How the Petition Qualified
A voter-initiated measure processed under California Elections Code.
Dec 15, 2025
Notice of Intent
received
Notice to circulate
petition filed; ballot
title & summary
requested (§9202).
Dec 30, 2025
Title &
summary
issued
City Attorney
prepared the ballot
title and summary;
returned to
proponents
(§9203).
Jan 15, 2026
Posted &
published
Posted in three
public places and
published in the
West County Times.
May 7, 2026
Petition
returned
2,441 unverified
signatures filed,
within the 180-day
window (§9208).
Jun 10, 2026
County
certifies
Contra Costa
County confirms
sufficient valid
signatures to
qualify.
The Signature Threshold
The petition cleared the legal threshold by an above percentage margin. 13,247
Registered voters in San
Pablo at publication
1,325
Valid signatures required
to qualify (10% of voters)
2,441
Signatures submitted by
proponents
Certified
County confirmed
sufficient valid signatures
— June 10, 2026
First Action: Adopt Certification of Sufficiency
Permitted actions under Elections Code §9215.
Order a §9212 Report
City Council will adopt the Resolution accepting the County's Certificate of Sufficiency of Signatures confirming the petition has qualified for the ballot.
Second Action: Select staff recommended action (Option C), or alternatively select Option A or B
Permitted actions under Elections Code §9215.
Option A
Adopt the Ordinance
Adopt the initiative ordinance
without alteration — and without
submitting it to the voters.
Option B
Send to the Voters
Place the ordinance, without
alteration, on the November 3,
2026 general municipal election
ballot.
Option C
Order a §9212 Report
Order a report on the ordinance's
effects. Review within 30 days, then
choose A or B within 10 days.
**Staff-Recommended Path**
Staff Recommendation:
Accept the Certificate of Sufficiency
Adopt the Resolution accepting the County's certification tonight.
Direct a report under Elections Code §9212 (Option C)
Direct staff, via motion and minute order, to study the measure's impacts before any adoption or ballot placement.
WHY THE NEED FOR THE SECTION 9212 REPORT FIRST?
The potential impacts of adoption are currently unknown. There may be costs to adopt, admini ster, and enforce the ordinance that staff recommends examining before the Council adopts it or refers it to the voters.
If Option C is selected:
• 30 days (by: July 15, 2026)
to receive & review the report
• After report received, must
choose Option A or B
QUESTIONS?
.
WHY THE NEED FOR TH 9212 REPORT FIRST?