Three Bay Area cities vote on three rent-control designs, with early returns split

Three Bay Area cities voted on different rent-control measures on 3 November 2026. In San Pablo, Measure S caps increases at 3% or 60% of local inflation, whichever is less, uses rents charged on 1 July 2025 as the base for calculating increases for tenants in place then, and raises relocation pay for no-fault evictions to four months of market rent or up to USD 12,000, whichever is greater. It led with more than 59% in early returns. Berkeley's Measure X, a 10% annual cap that also extends the right to form tenant associations to buildings of five or more units, down from ten, had 67% in favour. Redwood City's Measure E, capping increases at 5% or 60% of inflation with a landlord petition process, appeared to have been rejected, with 56% against. KQED reported these early, unofficial returns on 5 November.

The California Apartment Association, citing a report, argued that Redwood City's measure would require up to 18 new staff without building any homes. Three Bay Area cities, three caps and three outcomes make a useful comparison of how design and administrative cost shape support for rent control.