San Leandro’s rent control ordinance lands at city council after years of delay
5% rent cap faces scrutiny from tenant advocates, and the reason why passage becomes difficult; Union notches big win over Sutter, Kaiser workers set to strike on Tuesday; New Hayward city manager?
☕️MORNING BUZZ
—A long-debated rent stabilization ordinance that’s been several years in the making will go before the San Leandro City Council on Monday night, setting the stage for further revisions and what could become one of the city’s most significant housing policies in decades.
The draft ordinance, discussed for months in the council’s Rules Committee and shaped by a summer-long public outreach process that ended Sept. 17, will be reviewed during a work session.
City staff say the proposal would cover about 7,700 rental housing units, roughly a quarter of all housing units in San Leandro.
—Draft rent stabilization ordinance highlights:
5% annual rent increases allowed.
Capital improvement pass-through capped at 5% of tenants current rent.
Vacancy decontrol. Allows landlord to raise unit’s rent without restriction for the next tenant.
No rent increase banking allowed.
Landlord must register unit with the city to trigger any of the new restrictions.
The proposed program would cost between $1.4 million and $1.6 million annually, depending on whether the city hires two or three full-time additional staff to administer it, according to a staff report.
The draft ordinance was modeled in part on Alameda’s rent control program, though some tenant advocates have criticized San Leandro’s proposed five percent cap as too high compared to Alameda’s roughly three percent limit.
The council had initially planned to consider a final ordinance by Jan. 31, 2026, but that timeline has now been pushed to the spring to allow for additional revisions and feedback.
Monday’s discussion is expected to focus on potential adjustments before a final version returns for a vote next year.
—411 ON THE 510—Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get FULL ACCESS to the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m. It’s what the insiders read.
🙏To all the new paid subscribers who joined the East Bay Insiders over the weekend. Thank you for your support!
