Renter Protection Policy Development

^{This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY}

To support the pursuit of renter protection policies and respond to the memoranda, the City applied for and was awarded a “Challenge Grant” from the Partnership for the Bay’s Future. Through the Challenge Grant, the City was able to create a profile of Palo Alto renters and research renter protection policies that would benefit Palo Altans.

Palo Alto had significant renter protection policy discussions in 2020 and 2021. These discussions culminated in City Council action on November 29, 2021 for staff to advance a suite of additional renter protection policies. These policies would be additional to those that were already in the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) for many years, such as the rental housing stabilization policies in PAMC Section 9.68 and the mandatory landlord/tenant dispute requirements in PAMC Section 9.72.

Current Activities

City staff is currently working on the renter protection policies moved and approved by City Council on November 29, 2021, including the Council requested Rental Registry Program (RRP), an eviction reduction ordinance, a security deposit limit ordinance, and other Council requested items.

Request for Information - Renter and Landlord Survey - Fall 2022/Winter 2023

The City is asking for participation in a short survey for renters and landlords/property managers in Palo Alto. We anticipate that the survey will take you 5 minutes or less to complete. Your responses will help City staff respond to City Council-requested renter policy development initiatives discussed on this webpage. Please click the button below to access the City of Palo Alto Renter and Landlord Survey for Fall 2022/Winter 2023. 

Take the Survey

Rental Registry Program (RRP)

The City Council directed the development of a registry of rental units in the City for a number of reasons, including in support of the opportunity to make ongoing data-informed rental policy decisions. Implementation of a RRP is a means by which to learn about the Palo Alto rental landscape as it is experienced by renters and rental unit property owners/managers. The information collected by the RRP is more distinct from the aggregated information already available from the Decennial Census and American Community Survey (ACS). Learning more specific rental unit information, such as rents and tenancy duration, would help the City tailor rental policies to address the diverse needs of existing and future Palo Alto renters and rental unit property owners/managers. Furthermore, the RRP would collect information on the implementation of existing renter protections instituted by the state and City. It would be the responsibility of rental unit property owners/managers to complete the registry for their rental units.

Check back here for announcements of community meetings and public hearings.

Upcoming Public Meetings and Events

Community Meeting - Rental Registry Program (RRP)

Do you own, manage, or rent a rental unit in Palo Alto? The City is hosting a Community Meeting on Thursday, March 30 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. to share information about a proposed Rental Registry Program (RRP) and receive feedback for implementing the RRP. Learn about the City’s workplan to adopt and implement the program, an example of a registry form, and participate in a Question & Answer session. This Community Meeting is scheduled before taking the draft RRP ordinance to the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Policy & Services Committee (P&S), and the Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC).

    VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
    Zoom Information
    https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/87127763497
    Meeting ID: 871 2776 3497
    Phone: (669) 900 6833

Planning & Transportation Commission Meeting - Rental Registry Program (RRP)

Next Meeting: Anticipated Spring 2023

Human Relations Commission Meeting - Rental Registry Program (RRP)
Next Meeting: Anticipated Spring 2023

Policy & Services Committee Meeting - Rental Registry Program (RRP)
Next Meeting: Anticipated Summer 2023