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Board adopts tenant‑protection ordinance extending just‑cause and relocation aid in unincorporated Santa Clara County
Summary
After lengthy public testimony, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance expanding state just‑cause protections to many renters in unincorporated areas, requiring three months' relocation assistance for no‑fault evictions (HUD small‑area FMR by ZIP) or a three‑month rent waiver, and adding anti‑retaliation protections tied to immigration status. The measure passed 4–1.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted June 2 to adopt a residential tenant‑protection ordinance that extends just‑cause eviction rules and strengthens relocation and anti‑retaliation protections for residents in unincorporated county areas.
Under the ordinance, landlords pursuing qualifying no‑fault evictions would be required to provide either a direct payment equal to three months of the HUD small‑area fair‑market rent for the ZIP code or to waive three months’ rent. The measure also bars landlords from threatening to disclose or actually disclosing a tenant’s immigration status as a form of retaliation for protected tenant conduct, such as reporting health and safety violations.
Supporters — including tenant advocates, labor groups and legal services providers — spoke in favor during a lengthy public comment period. "Expanding protections to single‑family homes, townhomes and duplexes and strengthening relocation and anti‑retaliation measures will help keep families housed," said Vanessa Tapia of South Bay Labor Council.
Opponents, including representatives of landlord associations and some owners, sought more time for outreach and asked for finer details about implementation and cost. Some raised concern that basing relocation on HUD small‑area FMR could produce high dollar amounts in higher‑cost ZIP codes.
The ordinance includes exemptions that match state law (owner‑occupied single‑family homes and certain limited housing types) and several implementation details proposed after stakeholder input, including calculating relocation payments by ZIP code to reflect local rents.
The board rejected a substitute motion to delay the item and adopted the ordinance in a roll‑call vote that resulted in four ayes and one nay. Supervisor Duong voted no; Vice President Sylvia Arenas moved the ordinance forward.
