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Salinas council repeals four rent-related ordinances after months of public debate
Summary
The Salinas City Council voted 5–2 on May 13 to repeal four locally adopted rent-related ordinances, including the rent stabilization and tenant-protection measures. Council and staff said unwinding the programs will require follow-up work; dozens of tenants and landlords testified during a months‑long public process.
The Salinas City Council voted 5–2 on May 13 to repeal four city ordinances that established local rent registration, rent stabilization, just‑cause eviction and anti‑harassment rules.
City Attorney Chris Callahan told the council the legality of the city ordinances had not been decided by the courts and that earlier media reports saying the measures were unconstitutional were incorrect: “The constitutionality of the city's ordinance was never at issue. The city was not a party to that case,” Callahan said during the public council discussion.
Supporters of the ordinances — including tenant advocates, community organizers and several low‑income residents — urged the council to retain the local protections and allow more time for the policies to operate.…
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