The Monterey County Registrar of Voters on Friday confirmed that tenant advocates have collected enough valid signatures to challenge the Salinas City Council’s repeal of rent control.
The council in May rescinded a package of rent control regulations adopted in October 2024, citing the negative impacts such policies would have on the city’s goal of adding affordable housing and maintaining existing rental units.
Following that decision, rent control supporters turned to the referendum process, a provision in state law that allows voters 30 days to gather signatures from at least 10% of a city’s registered voters to place the matter on the ballot or require the council to reconsider its action. Tenant advocates met that threshold in Salinas, a city with about 69,000 registered voters.
As a result, the city’s rent control regulations remain in effect until the council either rescinds its repeal or voters decide the issue at the ballot box.
The California Apartment Association is preparing to engage in a possible ballot measure campaign to uphold the council’s repeal of rent control. The association looks forward to working with a coalition of housing providers, residents, businesses, affordable housing advocates, public safety professionals, and taxpayer watchdogs to keep rent control out of Salinas.
The Salinas City Council is expected to decide on Aug. 26 whether to place the repeal before voters or reverse its prior decision and leave the rent control laws in effect.
At Monterey Bay Property Management, our Monterey County property managers are keeping up with issues that could impact how you do business. Contact us here if you have questions.