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Santa Barbara council directs staff to return with tightened tenant-protection amendments after large public turnout
Summary
The council voted to have staff draft ordinance amendments to close a perceived renoviction loophole, including independent verification for substantial remodels, a return-rent cap and a one-year cooling-off period for recently purchased rental properties. The measure will return for formal consideration April 8.
Santa Barbara —n(2025-03-11) —nAt a packed March 11 hearing, the Santa Barbara City Council directed staff to return with ordinance language tightening the city's just-cause tenant-protection rules to close a loophole used by some landlords to "renovict" tenants and then re‑rent units at much higher rates.
What the council asked for: Councilmembers requested staff draft and return with amendments that (1) require independent verification that a "substantial remodel" truly requires a tenant to vacate, (2) cap the rent charged to a tenant exercising the right of first refusal upon return to the unit (the draft language discussed would limit the rent to the pre-eviction rate plus CPI plus 5%, capped at 10%), and (3) create a one-year cooling-off period preventing a new owner from evicting tenants for demolition or substantial remodel within 12 months of purchase.
Why it matters: Dozens of tenants,…
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