City of Albany Measure O — Requirement To Zoning Changes Measure (Alameda County)

What it does

Shall the measure authorizing the Albany City Council to amend the residential voter requirements for zoning changes to the R-1 zoned areas of the City established by Measure D (enacted by the Albany voters in 1978), without majority neighborhood voter approval, after following noticed public hearing and zoning ordinance amendment procedures prescribed by State Law and the Albany Municipal Code, be adopted?

A YES vote means

The Albany City Council could change zoning in the city's R-1 areas without the neighborhood voter approval required by 1978's Measure D, after public hearings and the steps required by state and city law.

A NO vote means

Zoning changes in Albany's R-1 areas would still require the neighborhood voter approval set by Measure D.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Albany City Council placed this measure on the ballot by Resolution No. 2026-29, adopted June 1, 2026 (Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan, Lopez and Mayor McQuaid yes; Council Member Miki absent), according to the resolution filed with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

According to the resolution, Measure D, a 1978 voter initiative, allows zoning changes in single-family (R-1) areas only if at least 50% of resident voters within 300 feet sign a petition approving them; because it was voter-approved, any change must also be approved by Albany voters.

The resolution cites the city's 2023-2031 Housing Element, which calls for repealing this petition requirement, and the Council's 2025-2027 Strategic Plan goal to promote housing; the measure would let the Council change R-1 zoning after public hearings under state law and the city code, without neighborhood petition approval.

Put on the ballot by Albany City Council, June 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-29; 4 yes, 1 absent).

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Albany Measure O mean?

The Albany City Council could change zoning in the city's R-1 areas without the neighborhood voter approval required by 1978's Measure D, after public hearings and the steps required by state and city law.

What does a NO vote on City of Albany Measure O mean?

Zoning changes in Albany's R-1 areas would still require the neighborhood voter approval set by Measure D.

How many votes does City of Albany Measure O need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Albany Measure O?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.