In a few weeks, Redwood City voters will determine whether to accept new rent control laws that will limit annual increases on qualifying buildings and add stronger eviction protections.
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If approved by a majority of voters, Measure E will cap increases for units built prior to Feb. 1, 1995 to 5%, or 60% of the inflation rate based on the consumer price index — around 2.28% for San Mateo County — whichever is lower. The new increases will be calculated and added based on the cost of rent in October 2025. The laws would go into effect in December.
Tenant protections will also expand to most rental housing in the city, including single-family homes, accessory dwelling units and affordable housing. The new laws would include stronger just causes for eviction, anti harassment polices and require landlords to provide up to $12,000 in relocation fees.
More than 7,000 Redwood City residents signed a petition for the measure to appear on the ballot — about 3,000 more than what is required for a citizen’s initiative.
The city does not have rent control laws, but currently follows a state law passed in 2020, which caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower. Redwood City has a local Tenant Protection Ordinance which has been in effect since January, and requires landlords to offer a minimum one-year lease, limits evictions for just cause reasons and requires landlords to provide relocation assistance for no fault evictions.
Opponents of Measure E include the City Council, which voted 6-0 in July to oppose the measure and include an official ballot argument against it. The city warns that the new laws will put Redwood City at financial risk, reduce housing options for residents and halt future affordable housing projects in the area.
A city-commissioned analysis this year found the measure would cost the city up to $11 million to administer and require up to 18 new full-time employees.
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Other vocal opponents include local landlords, the California Apartment Association and the San Mateo County Association of Realtors.
Supporters of the measure include local tenants, as well as the pro-housing groups Affordable Redwood City and Faith in Action Bay Area.
Stronger rent control laws will keep costs stable by allowing predictable rent increases of 60% of inflation or 5%, protect against landlord use of intimidation and lack of repairs to push people out of their homes and prevent homelessness through higher relocation assistance for no-fault evictions, according to the official argument in support of the measure.
Affordable Redwood City is a local advocacy group attached to Faith in Action Bay Area, a coalition of community organization in San Francisco and San Mateo counties that advocate for immigrant rights and housing justice.
Affordable Redwood City has raised $92,453 for their campaign, according to finance campaign filings. The group’s biggest donors include Oakland-based union American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees ($1,000); San Francisco-based Tenants and Owners Development Corporation ($5,000) and Faith in Action Bay Area ($50,000).
Faith in Action Bay Area is associated with PICO California, a network of faith-based non-profits that advocate for economic and immigrant justice. PICO California is funded by a mix of private donors and philanthropist, and has received funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and The San Francisco Foundation, a grantmaking public charity.
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