The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors tentatively endorsed a series of tenant protection ordinances on Tuesday, designed to bolster renters' rights throughout the county's unincorporated areas. This move could significantly change the rental landscape if given a final nod on September 17. According to the County of Sonoma, these measures would directly complement the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which already limits rent hikes and defines just cause for evictions for tenancies over one year. The proposed ordinance, in particular, would notably remove exemptions for subsidized housing from these just-cause eviction protections.
The county's new rules, set to take effect 30 days post-second reading, go above and beyond the state law's protections by applying just-cause eviction requirements from the outset of any tenancy. Additionally, the new regulations will protect tenants from eviction based on nonpayment unless they are in arrears by more than one month's rent. However, this protection can only be invoked up to twice yearly. Evictions would also largely be prohibited during declared emergencies under the new ordinance.
The Board's vice chair, Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, was quoted expressing the Board's intention, as per the County of Sonoma: "The Board of Supervisors took a critical step toward maintaining housing stability for some of our most vulnerable residents, building upon existing state law". To inform the affected populace, a $34,100 outreach campaign has been approved. This campaign aims to clearly communicate the new rules via town halls, webinars, and advertisements, especially directed at ensuring that renters understand their new rights.
