If you own property in Redwood City—or are considering buying or investing here—there's a significant policy development you should have on your radar. Rent control is back on the ballot, and this time, the proposed measure is more far-reaching than anything the city has seen before.
A coalition of tenant advocates is working to qualify a ballot measure for the November 2026 election that would dramatically reshape the rules governing residential rentals in Redwood City. Here's what you need to know.
A Second Attempt—With Higher Stakes
This isn't the first time rent control has come up for a vote in Redwood City. A similar effort failed in 2024 when proponents fell short of the roughly 4,800 valid signatures needed to qualify. Undeterred, organizers are back with a new proposal called the "Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance"—and it appears to be backed by a more organized, better-funded campaign this time around.
What the Proposed Measure Would Do
If passed, the ordinance would introduce sweeping changes to how rentals are managed in the city. Rents would be rolled back to October 2025 levels, with future increases capped at 60% of the Consumer Price Index, up to a maximum of 5%. Just-cause eviction protections would be significantly expanded, and no-fault terminations would trigger mandatory relocation payments—either four times the HUD fair market rent or $12,000, whichever is greater, with additional amounts for certain tenants. The measure would also create a new city-run Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Program, funded by annual per-unit fees paid by property owners. And critically, it would open the door to enforcement actions by both tenants and the city, including potential damages and attorneys' fees.
What Protections Already Exist
Redwood City renters are already covered by a layered set of protections. California's statewide AB 1482 law limits annual rent increases and requires landlords to have a valid reason to terminate a tenancy. Building on that foundation, Redwood City adopted its own Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO) in January 2026, which aligns local just-cause eviction standards with state law, expands relocation assistance, requires landlords to offer minimum one-year lease terms, and gives displaced tenants a right to return after substantial renovations. Anti-harassment provisions add another layer of regulation to the landlord-tenant relationship.
What This Means for Property Owners and Investors
Like many local ordinances, the proposed measure would work within the limits of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, meaning single-family homes, condos, and newer construction would generally remain exempt—but only to the extent state law requires, and only as long as those protections remain in place.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the measure is its funding mechanism: property owners would be required to pay annual fees to finance the very program designed to regulate them. Combined with expanded enforcement powers and the potential for damages and attorneys' fees, the stakes for even routine management decisions would increase considerably.
The Bigger Picture
Redwood City is part of a statewide trend. Municipalities across California continue to push the boundaries of what local rent control can look like, often moving faster than state law anticipated. For property owners, the message is clear: the rules can change quickly, and staying informed is essential.
Whether you're a longtime local investor, a homeowner thinking about renting out a property, or a buyer evaluating the Redwood City market, these policy shifts have real implications for your decisions. If you have questions about how the current or proposed regulations might affect your real estate goals, I'm here to help you think it through.
