Expand Tenant Protections:
Proposed Rental Review Program
Economic Development, Housing & Project
Management Standing Committee
July 8, 2026
Implementation of the Tenant Support
& Assistance Package
MOBILE HOME GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ADOPTED)
NEW RENTAL REGULATIONS - JUST CAUSE FOR EVICTION
PROTECTIONS & ANTI HARASSMENT ORDINANCES (ADOPTED)
RENTAL REVIEW PROGRAM - PROPOSED
Program Purpose
PROVIDE A TRANSPARENT PUBLIC
PROCESS FOR REVIEWING
SIGNIFICANT RENT INCREASES
SAFEGUARD TENANTS FROM
EXCESSIVE RENT BURDENS
PROMOTE HOUSING STABILITY
Ordinance
Goals
Modeled after Fremont and San
Leandro programs
Incorporates best practices: clear
thresholds, accessible hearings
Encourages positive dialog,
mediation and partnership
Balances tenant protections with
housing provider rights
Program
Overview
Local ordinance establishing
a review process for rent
increases over a set threshold
Modeled after successful
programs in Fremont and San
Leandro
Rentals Unit Types Covered
ALL RESIDENTIAL
RENTALS IN SAN PABLO
INCLUDES MOBILE
HOME SPACE RENTALS
Threshold for Public Hearings
Triggered when rent
increase exceeds
7% within a 12-
month period*
Tenant may request
a hearing before a
neutral board
Opportunity for
both parties to
present
documentation &
testimony
*For applicable units that are not covered by Statewide Rent Control Hearing Process
TENANT FILES HEARING REQUEST
WITHIN 30 DAYS OF NOTICE OF
RENT INCREASE OVER 7%
CITY SCHEDULES A PUBLIC
HEARING WITH THE RENT REVIEW
BOARD
BOARD ISSUES ADVISORY
RECOMMENDATION AFTER
REVIEW
Board Composition & Outcome
BOARD COMPOSITION:
TENANTS, HOMEOWNERS AND
A HOUSING PROFESSIONAL
APPOINTED BY CITY COUNCIL
BOARD: ADVISORY
DECISIONS UNLESS BOTH
PARTIES AGREE TO OTHER
TERMS
Hearing Outcomes
Failure to participate in good faith by tenant
or housing provider shall either validate or
invalidate the rental increase notice.
Benefits to the Community
TENANTS
PROTECTION FROM
SIGNIFICANT RENT HIKES
HOUSING PROVIDERS
TRANSPARENT
GUIDELINES AND FAIR
IMPARTIAL PROCESS
CITY
PROMOTES HOUSING
STABILITY AND REDUCES
DISPLACEMENT RISK
PUBLIC
SUPPORTS INVESTMENTS
TO EXISTING AND NEW
HOUSING STOCK
Interaction with California Tenant Protection Act
(AB 1482)
AB 1482 sets
statewide caps
and just-cause
rules for some
rental units
01 Local program
adds
protections not
covered by
State Law
02 Local program
adds review for
increases >7%
without
imposing caps
03 Works
alongside state
law to enhance
transparency
and fairness
04 Council Priority Work Plan – Major Policy Goal
Consistent with City Council Work Plan
MAJOR POLICY AREA:
EXPAND HOUSING OPTIONS
Policy #310:
RENTAL PROTECTIONS: EXPLORE POLICY FEASIBILITY TO ENHANCE TENANT PROTECTIONS PROVIDED BY THE CITY TO INCLUDE:
c. Proceed with development of a new Rent Review Program for tenants and housing providers with stakeholder input via new Ordinance for program implementation by January 1, 2027.
Comparison with Voter-Initiated Rent Control
Program provides
review process, not
price fixed hard caps
City Council can
modify program as
needed
Appointed citizen
board ensures
balanced
representation
Significant cost and
resource savings
Recommended Action
1). Receive presentation; and
2). Recommend City staff work in consultation
with the City Attorney's Office, and forward
to the City Council for formal consideration
and adoption with program
implementation by January 1, 2027.