City of Pasadena Measure PFD (Los Angeles County)

What it does

City of Pasadena 911 Firefighter/Paramedic Emergency Medical/Wildfire Preparedness/Response Measure. To help maintain fire, paramedic, 911 response; prepare for/respond to wildfires/earthquakes/medical emergencies; recruit/retain well-trained firefighters; maintain lifesaving equipment/fire alert communication; shall City of Pasadena's measure annually levy 19¢ per square foot of improved property, with low-income senior exemption, providing approximately $22,100,000 annually, expiring after 14 years, requiring accountability, independent audits, oversight, public spending disclosure; all funds must be used to support local fire protection/emergency medical response services, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Pasadena would levy 19¢ per square foot of improved property a year for 14 years, with a low-income senior exemption, raising about $22,100,000 a year only for fire protection and emergency medical services, with audits and oversight.

A NO vote means

Pasadena would not levy this fire and emergency medical 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

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

After weighing several revenue options during budget discussions, the Pasadena City Council directed staff on July 13, 2026 to prepare a fire-services parcel tax for the November ballot; on July 20 a motion to prepare a backup 10% parking tax measure, to be used only if the Council dropped the parcel tax, failed with four votes in favor, three against and one member absent, according to the Council minutes.

The August 3, 2026 agenda report states the General Fund has been insufficient to meet long-term fire facility and equipment needs, and proposes a tax of 19 cents per square foot of improved property, expected to raise about $22.1 million a year, to support priorities in the Fire Department's 2026-2036 Strategic Plan such as modernizing fire stations, reconstructing Stations 33 and 37, upgrading 911 communications and expanding wildfire mitigation.

As a special tax dedicated to fire protection and emergency medical services, it requires two-thirds voter approval and includes a low-income senior exemption, annual independent audits and public spending disclosure; the staff-recommended ballot question had no end date, while the final ballot question says the tax expires after 14 years.

Put on the ballot by Pasadena City Council, August 3, 2026 (resolution placing parcel tax measure on ballot).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Pasadena Measure PFD mean?

Pasadena would levy 19¢ per square foot of improved property a year for 14 years, with a low-income senior exemption, raising about $22,100,000 a year only for fire protection and emergency medical services, with audits and oversight.

What does a NO vote on City of Pasadena Measure PFD mean?

Pasadena would not levy this fire and emergency medical tax.

How many votes does City of Pasadena Measure PFD 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 Pasadena Measure PFD?

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.