What it says:

On January 9th, 2024, Santa Barbara’s City Council passed new tenant protection
measures updating and adding on to Municipal Code Chapters 26.50 (Just Cause Evictions),
26.60 (Tenant Harassment Protections), and 26.40 (One-Year Lease Offers). These ordinances
include stronger just-cause eviction rules, limiting the eviction of tenants by landlords to specific
reasons such as non-payment of rent or major property repairs. It also contains new rules to
clarify what qualifies as “just-cause”, including how landlords must prove their case.
One of the measures passed grants tenants evicted for no-fault reasons like property
remodels (also known as “renovictions”) the “right of first refusal”, which allows tenants to
reclaim their unit once renovations have been completed at limited rent increases. This law
stipulates that landlords must also provide clear notices about these rights and pay for relocation
in some cases, as well as mandating that they offer tenants at least a one-year lease unless
specific exceptions apply after remodeling. Landlords must also ensure that the remodeling
brings the unit up to local health and safety standards. Although this measure was initially
enacted at the county level in July 2023, this update extends these protections to tenants in the
city as well to ensure that all renters receive the same coverage.

The Council also approved measures to protect tenants from harassment and retaliation
by landlords and property owners, introducing financial penalties of up to $1,000 per violation
for such behavior. Such violations include cutting services, harassment, and discrimination.
Tenants can sue landlords for damages, including compensation and penalties, for such
harassment.

What this means for Isla Vista Residents:

1. County-wide Coverage of Renoviction Protections:
   • Since Isla Vista falls under Santa Barbara County, residents might already be covered by the county’s “right of first refusal” protections for renovictions, which were adopted in July 2023. However, this ordinance ensures uniformity by aligning the city’s protections with the county’s protections. If a landlord in Isla Vista plans to remodel a rental unit and asks tenants to move out temporarily, the tenants now have the “right of first refusal” to move back in once the renovations are complete. For instance, if a student living in Isla Vista is evicted for a remodel, they can reclaim the unit afterward at a limited rent increase, provided they meet the lease terms.
2. Lease Renewal and Health Code Compliance:
   • Landlords in Isla Vista would now be required to provide a one-year lease renewal after renovations and ensure units comply with local health and safety standards. This means the landlord can’t just evict tenants under the guise of repairs without ensuring the property is brought up to livable standards, which particularly benefits residents living in older, poorly maintained properties.
3. Harassment Protections:
   • The ordinance’s provisions against harassment and retaliatory actions by landlords may help protect Isla Vista renters from abusive behaviors, including illegal evictions or intimidation, which are occasionally reported in student-heavy rental markets. If a landlord in Isla Vista tries to intimidate a student tenant by shutting off utilities or threatening eviction without cause, the tenant can now file a complaint. Under the ordinance, they may be eligible to sue for damages, including financial penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation.