October 2025 Blog

Salinas Rental Ordinances: What’s on the Ballot & What It Means Right Now

What’s happening: The Salinas City Council voted 4–3 to send its renter-protection package—Rent Stabilization, Just-Cause Eviction, Tenant Anti-Harassment, and the Rental Registry—to the November 2026 general election for voters to decide. KCBX+1

Are the rules in effect today? Yes. Because a referendum petition suspended the council’s June repeal, the four ordinances are back in force and remain active while the measure heads to the ballot. The City confirmed that landlords and tenants are once again subject to these rules. Salinas

Key pieces at a glance (current program):

• Rent Stabilization (RSO): Applies primarily to multifamily buildings built before 1995 and limits annual increases (commonly summarized as the lesser of 2.75% or 75% of CPI), with a process to petition for higher increases (e.g., capital improvements). KSBW+1
• Just-Cause Eviction & Tenant Protections: Local criteria for terminating a tenancy and additional protections beyond state law. Salinas
• Rental Registry: Ongoing registration/fee requirements administered by the city. Salinas

Timeline to watch:

• Now–Nov 2026: Ordinances remain in effect unless altered by further legal or council action. KCBX+1
• Nov 2026: Voters decide whether to keep or repeal the suite of renter protections. KSBW

Our perspective (and why):
We support fair housing and clear rules, but we remain concerned that local rent caps and layered mandates often backfire—discouraging investment, lowering maintenance standards, and reducing service quality over time. When owners can’t keep up with inflation, taxes, insurance, compliance costs, and capital needs, the predictable response is deferred maintenance, fewer upgrades, and shrinking rental supply, which ultimately hurts renters and housing quality.

What we’re doing for our owners & residents:

• Full compliance: We’re following the Salinas ordinances as written while they’re in effect. Salinas
• Proactive planning: We’re tracking allowable increases, petition pathways for qualified capital improvements, and renewal strategies that maintain stable tenancies and property health. Noland Hamerly Etienne & Hoss
• Education & updates: We’ll keep you posted on ballot language, official voter information, and any interim changes from City Hall. KCBX

If you own in Salinas:

• Confirm coverage: Not all properties are covered (e.g., many pre/post-1995 distinctions). We’ll review your specific unit mix. KSBW
• Document costs: Keep detailed records of capital work, insurance, taxes, utilities, and compliance fees to support any allowed petitions. Noland Hamerly Etienne & Hoss
• Stay in touch: If you’re considering improvements or rent adjustments in the next 12 months, let us help you plan within the rules.

We’ll continue advocating for policies that preserve housing quality, encourage new supply, and support long-term, service-forward ownership—because well-maintained homes and responsive management are good for everyone.