Santa Barbara Opens Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Draft Ordinances to 30-Day Public Comment Period

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Renters and landlords waited patiently to hear the last Santa Barbara City Council agenda item on Tuesday.

At issue is the review of a draft ordinance amending code relating to a residential rent stabilization plan.

The framework calls for annual rent increases of three-percent or lower only once a year.

The rental registry was called the "Backbone" of the program during the staff presentation.

It would track tenancy and rent increases for enforcement purposes.

The program would affect about 13-thousand units in the city built before 1995 with a number of exemptions.

One exemptions included property shared by the owner and the renter.

The program would cost the city an estimated $2 million at a time when the city is trying not to deplete reserves to balance its budget.

Senior Assistant to the City Administrator Barbara Andersen explained what happened following a marathon meeting that went past 10:30 p.m.

"We are pleased to release a public review draft after years of advocacy and hard work on creating policy to stabilize rents across the city and to support tenants and property owners and that public comment review draft is available on the city's website," said Andersen," we have a rent stabilization website specific to this ordinance and every document that has been released all public comments can be sent to: https://rso@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Councilmembers did not need to vote on a motion about that draft RSO but they did approve a motion 4-3 to consider the Just Cause and Ellis Act Amendments for the 30 day public comment period at the same time as the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

"We also are asking the public to comment on the Ellis Act Amendments to the Just Cause Ordinance so this is aligning with updates from state law as well as making sure that we're making stronger tenant protections in the Ellis Act amendments in that ordinance that compliments the Rent Stabilization Ordinance," said Andersen.

The state's Ellis Act allows property owners to go out of the rental housing business.

That is something more renters may consider under the SRO.

During public comments about the SRO critics called it "rent control."

Betty Jeppesen, who serves as President of the Santa Barbara Rental Property Association, is part of a lawsuit over the issue.

Jeppesen and her association oppose the draft that uses 60 percent of the Consumer Price Index capped at 3 percent.

"Capping rent increases at 60 percent of CPI is Constitutionally confiscatory taking because it is a deprivation of property rights without just compensation and doesn't allow the landlords to get a fair rate of return.," said Jeppesen.

Jeppesen said the state already has protections.

"60 percent of the cost of living can never be a fair rate of return," said Jeppesen.

Supporters of the plan disagree.

They said the goal is capping rent increases in a way that is pinned to reality.

They like the idea of having a registry and a rent board to consider issues that arise.

Public speakers said they have been forced out by so-called reno-victions and by landlords hoping to move higher paying renter in.

CAUSE Policy Advocate Ana Arce calls the plan step one towards long term solutions to the city of Santa Barbara's housing crisis.

"I want a strong rent stabilization ordinance that protects tenants from displacement from being forced out of our city, not having to commute back and forth," said Arce.

She said people are moving to neighboring communities and taking their children out of schools due to the high rents.

"I am somebody who has been displaced," said Gina Rodart Quiroz,"I am looking for real protections, real enforcement and real consequences."

Rodart Quiroz said she once lived in her car due to rents that have skyrocketed.

She said one increase can put her out on the streets again.

Craig "Griff" Griffin said renters help property owners build their equity over decades and in return they are often shown the door.

He said the meeting went too long for him to stay and comment in person.

The public comment periods last for 30 days or until July 10th.

For more information visit https://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Prior to agenda item Logan Ward, an investment associate for Marcus & Millichap, shared flyers for a free Multifamily Forum on June 25 at 6 p.m. at 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd. to address rent control impacts.