Board advances first reading of just-cause eviction ordinance after lengthy amendments debate

On Nov. 12 the Alameda County Board of Supervisors advanced the first reading of a just-cause eviction ordinance covering parts of the county outside incorporated cities, moving the proposal forward despite lengthy questions about implementation details.

Community Development Agency Deputy Housing Director Jennifer Pierce summarized material differences between the draft ordinance and state law, including a five-year right-of-return after substantial renovation (the draft), higher relocation assistance (two months of either current rent or fair-market rent, as drafted), and expanded family-member protections. She also explained reporting requirements for eviction notices to Housing and Community Development (HCD).

Supervisors pressed staff on how a "reasonable rate of return" for owners would be calculated, verification of which single-family owners own five or more units in the unincorporated county, and whether local fees proposed to fund administration would comply with state constitutional constraints. Board members proposed specific edits: changing the community department contact from the housing director to the community development director, reducing local relocation assistance to one month tied to current or fair-market rent, shortening the right-of-return window to one year (but allowing state-law extensions), and returning the ordinance for an 18-month review after implementation. After debate the board voted to waive full reading and adopt a first-reading action; staff will return with redlined language for further review and a final reading.

"If the changes are substantial we'll bring it back for first reading so everybody can see the red line and a clean version for adoption," the chair said. The first-reading motion passed on roll call with a majority supporting the waiver and introduction.