Rent Stabilization Ballot Measure

At a glance

What: An ordinance amending Berkeley's Rent Stabilization Ordinance, placed before voters at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. Author Councilmember Lunaparra; co-sponsors Tregub and Mayor Ishii.
Where it stands: Council adopted Resolution No. 72,378-N.S. on July 7, 2026, all ayes, submitting the measure to voters.
Next: November 3, 2026 election. Ishii, Lunaparra and Tregub will file the Council's ballot arguments.

June 30, 2026, Council Action Items, item 45 (author Lunaparra, co-sponsor Tregub): the recommendation was to submit the initiative ordinance to voters on November 3, 2026 and designate members to file ballot arguments (Elections Code 9282). 11 speakers. Motion (Lunaparra/Tregub) to continue the item to the July 7 regular meeting, including revised material in Supplemental Communications Packet 2 from Lunaparra. Vote: Ayes - Kesarwani, Taplin, Tregub, O'Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Noes - none; Absent - Bartlett.
Written communications on item 45 that night came from many residents and from housing organizations including Bay Area Community Land Trust, Satellite Affordable Housing, East Bay Housing Organizations and Northern California Land Trust.
Continued business item A, continued from June 30, 2026, and containing revised material. 10 speakers.
Motion (Tregub/Bartlett): (1) adopt the resolution as amended in the revised materials from Lunaparra (Supplemental Communications Packet 2) and further amended at the meeting regarding replacement units; (2) designate Ishii, Lunaparra and Tregub to file ballot measure arguments for the Council. Vote: all ayes.
Supplemental material was also submitted by Humbert and Kesarwani. Speakers and letters included housing groups such as East Bay Housing Organizations, Northern California Land Trust and Resources for Community Development.

Item 45 continued to July 7 with revised material from Lunaparra, 8-0 (Bartlett absent), after 11 speakers.

Measure placed on the November 3, 2026 ballot with amendments on replacement units; arguments assigned.