Staff urges adoption of emergency ordinance

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Continued from Page A1 such as requiring landlords to pull a permit for substantial work, rather than meeting the current lower threshold of just having the intent to do the work.

The proposed emergency ordinance would do just that.

“The ordinance also makes it clear that recovery of possession for demolition or substantial remodeling may occur only after the landlord has obtained all necessary governmental permits and given advance notice to the tenant, including an explanation of why the work cannot be accomplished safely with the tenant in place and why the work requires the tenant to vacate for more than 30 days,” staff said.

The tenants’ displacement comes at a time when Santa Barbara faces a serious housing shortage, particularly for middle-, moderate-, low- and very low-income households, staff noted in its report.

“Council is aware of these shortages and has directed staff to undertake a variety of initiatives to address the shortage both by encouraging new housing projects and protecting existing housing stock,” staff said.

The proposed ordinance reflects the original intention of the council when it passed the tenant protection law, staff said. The fact that it is proposed as an emergency ordinance reflects the seriousness of the situation.

Whereas a regular ordinance is effective 30 days after adoption, an emergency ordinance becomes effective immediately upon adoption.

Staff is urging its passage today “to preclude further disruption and prevent actions that will displace tenants and reduce affordable housing.”