PARA ESPAÑOL CLIC AQUÍ!
Helpful Links:
Rent Stabilization Ordinance City Website
Santa Barbara Tenants Union Website
Let’s keep Fighting for strong tenant protections for ALL tenants in the City of Santa Barbara!
THANK YOU for submitting over 300 public comments in support of strong Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Protections for the City of Santa Barbara during the 30-day public comment period!
Rent stabilization is about protecting tenants from excessive rent increases and creating greater stability for working families, seniors, students, and long-time community members who are struggling to remain in Santa Barbara. It is also about ensuring there are meaningful enforcement mechanisms, transparent public data, and accountability measures that help address our long-term housing affordability crisis.
What’s Next?
July 28, 2026 Meeting Update: Staff will be seeking additional Council direction on proposed updates shared during the 30-day public comment period. The first reading of a draft ordinance will be delayed.
What does this mean?: We must not back down!
📢 Join Us at City Hall!
📍 735 Anacapa St.
📅 Tuesday, July 28
🕓 Rally at 4:00 PM
📄Agenda Item starts at 5:00pm
At this critical moment we need every voice to ensure City staff and the City Council do not attempt to water down the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Together, we will fight for real protections that keep our neighbors housed and make Santa Barbara sustainable for everyone.
Show up. Speak out. Stand with tenants.
We are calling on the City of Santa Barbara to adopt tenant protections that put people first:
- No new exemptions. Don’t leave tenants behind! Only include exemptions required by state law and the clear direction Council has already voted on– TWICE!
- A public rental registry for all rental units. Increase transparency by tracking rental ownership, rents, and rent increases.
- Protect tenants from unfair rent hikes. Limit unpredictable rent increases and excessive capital improvement costs onto tenants.
- Require tenant safety plans. Protect tenants during major construction and renovations.
- Create a strong, independent and enforceable Rent Board. Provide oversight, accountability, and enforcement of tenant protections.
- Stop bad-faith evictions. Prevent landlords from falsely claiming they’re leaving the rental business to evict tenants and hike up rent prices.
- Just Cause for all tenants. Ensure every tenant possible is protected! Every exemption leaves tenants vulnerable to illegal rent increases, harassment, evictions and continued harm!
- Protect students and families. Prevent no-fault evictions during the school year.
If you need support, please reach out to:
👉🏼 Email [email protected] or Angeliza Sanchez– Santa Barbara, CAUSE Organizer (805)754.7858
or attend: SBTU Help Desk Thursdays 6pm- Click HERE for location