California Apartment Association

Marin County supervisors abandoned plans for a just-cause eviction ordinance this month, opting instead for CAA-supported alternatives, including voluntary rent guidelines and a landlord-incentives program.

The decision came Feb. 9 as the county board explored various policy options to preserve affordable housing and prevent resident displacement.

Heading into the meeting, the California Apartment Association North Coast objected to two ordinances under consideration. One of them, a just-cause eviction measure, would require rental owners to prove “cause” in court or, in some cases, before a political body whenever needing to remove a problem resident. The other would enforce source-of-income protection.

In response, CAA North Coast met with members of the Marin County Board of Supervisors and sent letters to their offices advising against these two options. View CAA’s letters here.

CAA North Coast also mobilized Marin Income Property Association members and rental property owners from the region to speak against both proposals. At the hearing, rental property owners outnumbered tenant advocates.

In light of these efforts, the Marin County Supervisors dropped the onerous proposals in favor of voluntary rent guidelines and a landlord-incentives program.

“Thank you to those who attended the meeting,” said Mallori Spilker, executive director of the North Coast Division. “Your advocacy and support for CAA’s efforts to represent you at the county-government level is invaluable.”

The supervisors will prioritize the acquisition of multi-family rental properties to preserve affordable housing, and the development of code amendments for junior, second units as “Phase 1” priorities. The board members also voiced their willingness to work with the rental housing industry to develop guidelines and incentives during “Phase 2.”

CAA will continue to monitor this issue in Marin County and keep members apprised of any new developments.