The San Pablo City Council on Monday is scheduled to consider a proposed just cause eviction ordinance that would impose requirements significantly stricter than those in state law for rental housing providers.

The item, set for discussion at the council’s 6 p.m. Feb. 2 meeting, would establish just cause eviction protections starting on the first day of a tenancy, rather than after one year as provided under California law. The proposal also would double relocation assistance payments and restrict rent increases in certain circumstances when units return to the market following major renovations or an owner move-in.

According to the draft ordinance, tenants could be granted a right to return to a unit at the prior rent amount if the unit is placed back on the market within a specified period, a provision housing providers view as a form of rent control that could discourage reinvestment and delay units from returning to the market.

The California Apartment Association opposes the proposal, noting that the Legislature intentionally included a one-year exemption in the state’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019 to strike a balance between renter protections and housing providers’ ability to manage their properties, particularly for smaller operators with limited access to legal assistance.

CAA also raises concerns that doubling relocation payments beyond state requirements could increase costs for housing providers and ultimately lead to higher initial rents, without addressing the underlying challenges facing the local rental housing market.

The ordinance has not yet been adopted. If advanced, the measure would add a new layer of local regulation beyond existing state law governing eviction standards and relocation assistance.

Written public comments also may be submitted electronically to the city clerk. Comments received by 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be provided to council members in advance and posted with the agenda materials.

Readers may also review the full proposed ordinance as part of the City Council agenda packet.