City of Albany Measure T — Street Trees & Streetlighting Parcel Tax Measure (Alameda County)

What it does

Shall the measure to enact a special parcel tax on non-exempt property in the City at $0.0354 per lot square foot to maintain and improve public street trees and streetlighting to enhance local safety and sustainability, subject to an annual consumer price index adjustment up to 3%, exempting qualifying low-income residents, providing an estimated $775,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Albany would levy a parcel tax of $0.0354 per lot square foot for street trees and streetlighting, with yearly increases up to 3% and low-income exemptions, raising about $775,000 a year until ended by voters.

A NO vote means

Albany would not levy this street tree and streetlighting parcel tax.

Needed to pass

A two-thirds supermajority: at least 2 out of every 3 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

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 voted on July 6, 2026 to place Measure T, a new special parcel tax for street trees and streetlighting, on the ballot, according to the City Attorney's impartial analysis; it needs two-thirds voter approval.

The tax would be $0.0354 per taxable lot square foot starting July 1, 2027, adjusted by CPI up to 3% a year, applied only to the first 500,000 square feet of any parcel, with a 100% exemption for qualifying very low-income owners, a 50% exemption for low-income owners, and matching rebates for qualifying renters.

The analysis estimates it would raise $775,000 a year, kept in a dedicated fund for street tree and streetlight improvement and maintenance, until repealed by voters, with an annual accountability report by the Finance Director.

Put on the ballot by Albany City Council, July 6, 2026.

From official source 1, official source 2.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Alameda County ballots

• City of Alameda Measure L — GO Bond Measure
• City of Alameda Measure M — Charter Amendment - Amend And Repeal Outdated Provisions
• City of Alameda Measure N — Charter Amendment - Leases And Sales Of Real Property Measure
• City of Albany Measure O — Requirement To Zoning Changes Measure
• City of Albany Measure P — Street Paving And Storm Drain Parcel Tax Measure
• City of Albany Measure Q — EMS, ALS, Fire Protection Parcel Tax Measure
• City of Albany Measure R — Business License Tax Measure
• City of Albany Measure S — Real Property Transfer Tax Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure U — Bond Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure V — Sales Tax Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure W — Charter Amendment Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure X — Rent Ordinance Amendment Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure Y — Initiative - Arts Tax Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure Z — Initiative - Public Bank Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure AA — Initiative - Soda Tax Measure
• City of Emeryville Measure BB — Business Tax Measure

All Alameda County races and measures →

Quick answers

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

Albany would levy a parcel tax of $0.0354 per lot square foot for street trees and streetlighting, with yearly increases up to 3% and low-income exemptions, raising about $775,000 a year until ended by voters.

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

Albany would not levy this street tree and streetlighting parcel tax.

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

A two-thirds supermajority: at least 2 out of every 3 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.

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

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.