Many landlords in Santa Barbara will be subject to a temporary freeze on rent increases later this month while the city works on plans for a permanent rent stabilization ordinance.
The Santa Barbara City Council passed the moratorium in a 4–3 vote on January 27. Councilmembers Wendy Santamaria, Oscar Gutierrez, Kristen Sneddon and Meagan Harmon voted in favor, while Mayor Randy Rowse and Councilmembers Eric Friedman and Mike Jordan voted against the measure.
“The rent freeze ordinance represents a strong-arm, top-down approach rather than a sincere attempt at approaching the issue with mutual respect and trust for the future of our rental community,” Rowse said, as quoted by SF Gate. “Remember that a lot of the rent spikes are the result of government action, not about individual landlord greed.”
Advocates of the moratorium say it is needed to protect vulnerable residents from preemptive rent hikes and retaliation or “no-fault” evictions while the city drafts a permanent ordinance.
The rent freeze will take effect about 30 days after adoption (late February) and will remain in place until December 31, 2026, or until a permanent rent stabilization ordinance is adopted.