City of Redwood City Measure E — Rent Control and Eviction Limits Initiative (San Mateo County)

What it does

Shall the measure repealing Redwood City Municipal Code Chapter 42 and replacing it with a new Chapter 42 that (1) limits rent increases on multifamily housing built before February 1, 1995; (2) expands just-cause eviction protections to most rental housing, including single-family homes, ADUs, and affordable housing; (3) requires new City administration estimated to cost $5 million to $11 million annually, funded by annual rental property owner fees; and (4) increases relocation assistance for no-fault evictions, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Redwood City would limit rent increases on multifamily housing built before February 1, 1995, extend just-cause eviction protections to most rentals, create new City administration (about $5 million to $11 million a year) paid by rental owner fees, and increase relocation aid for no-fault evictions.

A NO vote means

Redwood City's current Chapter 42 would stay in place, without these rent limits and eviction rules.

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

Left

YESNO

Right

A YES vote leans strongly left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 87% confidence).

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

Measure E was placed on the ballot by an initiative petition signed by the required number of Redwood City voters and needs a majority to pass, according to the City Attorney's impartial analysis; it would repeal and replace Chapter 42 of the Municipal Code.

Current city law caps annual rent increases on certain units 15 years or older at between 5% and 10% depending on inflation; the initiative would impose rent control on certain units built before February 1, 1995, rolling rents back to the October 29, 2025 level (or the initial rent for later tenancies) and capping annual increases at 60% of inflation and no more than 5%.

It would also extend just-cause eviction protections to single-family homes, ADUs, deed-restricted affordable housing and mobile homes, and raise relocation assistance for no-fault evictions to four times the HUD fair market rent or $12,000, whichever is greater, with $6,000 more for elderly and disabled tenants.

Put on the ballot by Citizen initiative petition (2026).

From official source.

Next elections here

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Redwood City Measure E mean?

Redwood City would limit rent increases on multifamily housing built before February 1, 1995, extend just-cause eviction protections to most rentals, create new City administration (about $5 million to $11 million a year) paid by rental owner fees, and increase relocation aid for no-fault evictions.

What does a NO vote on City of Redwood City Measure E mean?

Redwood City's current Chapter 42 would stay in place, without these rent limits and eviction rules.

How many votes does City of Redwood City Measure E 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 Redwood City Measure E?

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.