Berkeley holds long debate on vacancy tax; council continues item for more analysis
Vice Mayor Harrison presented a proposed vacancy tax aimed at bringing long‑term vacant units back to market. Council members and dozens of public commenters debated exemptions, enforcement, equity, and projected revenue; council continued the item to August 3 for more work.
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Vice Mayor Harrison presented a draft ordinance establishing an annual vacancy tax on residential units that are not available to rent for at least 182 days in a calendar year, with exemptions for owner‑occupants, low‑income seniors, probate, units under construction and certain disaster‑damaged dwellings. Finance preliminarily estimated the measure could raise roughly $5.8 million–$8.7 million a year based on rent‑board data for units flagged as not available to rent.
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