Board advances ordinance to expand rent-control eligibility to 1994, sends second reading to Oct. 15 special meeting

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Oct. 8 amended a proposed ordinance to expand local rent-control coverage so it would apply to newly constructed dwelling units that first received certificates of occupancy through June 13, 1994, and scheduled the measure for a second reading at a special board meeting on Oct. 15.

The change was offered by Board President Peskin as an amendment to an administrative-code ordinance (filed as Item 15) that initially proposed making units up to Nov. 5, 2024 subject to rent control “to the extent authorized by a future modification or repeal of the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act.” Peskin said the 1994 date would extend protections to about 16,000 units and some 40,000 renters while preserving space for further discussion if state law changes.

Why it matters: The ordinance would only take effect if state law permits local expansion (Costa Hawkins currently constrains local dates). Supporters said rolling the local date forward to 1994 would extend rent protections to thousands of long-standing tenants while still allowing market-rate initial rents for landlords. Opponents urged more time for a technical advisory process with labor, developers and tenant advocates.

Debate and amendments

President…