Landlords in unincorporated Santa Clara County could face expanded just-cause eviction rules, higher relocation payment requirements, and new anti-retaliation enforcement under a proposed ordinance supervisors advanced Tuesday over the objections of the California Apartment Association.

The ordinance would also strengthen no-fault eviction provisions and add tracking requirements.

Supervisors voted 4-1 to advance the measure, with Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga dissenting. The board first rejected a substitute motion to delay action until August — Abe-Koga and Board President Otto Lee supported the delay, while Supervisors Betty Duong, Susan Ellenberg and Vice President Sylvia Arenas voted against it. The item returns June 23 for the required second reading.

County staff said the ordinance would apply only in unincorporated Santa Clara County, not the county’s 15 cities, and that the proposal would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, to allow time for outreach, education and implementation.

Tenant advocates and supporters told supervisors the ordinance would help stabilize housing and reduce displacement.

Anil Babbar, CAA’s senior vice president of local public affairs, urged supervisors to delay action, saying the group was not provided with the opportunity to review the proposal and asking for further outreach with housing providers and others affected by the proposal.

CAA had urged members to oppose the proposal ahead of the vote, arguing that it would raise costs and regulatory burdens for housing providers without adding supply.