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SLO City Council votes to move forward with rental registry

February 26, 2026

San Luis Obispo Councilwoman Jan Marx

By KAREN VELIE

The San Luis Obispo City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with plans to create a rental registry, even though council members were not in agreement with the timing.

As part of  plan to root out bad landlords and create rent stabilization, the city wants to create a registry. During Tuesday’s meeting, landlords and property managers said a registry is not needed while arguing the cost of the registry will be passed onto tenants.

A group of renters, many of whom are members of a tenant union, argued that information is needed to improve rental conditions in the city. They said that the registry will support the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals while serving as a tool against global warming.

While all five council members supported the registry, Jan Marx wanted to move forward immediately.

Councilwoman Michelle Shoresman agreed that there is a desire “for safe, stable housing in the community.” She, however, argued there is a current lack of funding for the registry.

Shoresman then suggested adding it as a priority in the 2027 – 2029 financial plan.

In the end, the council agreed to move forward with a plan as part of the 2027 – 2029 financial plan while city staff continues to research and collect. information.

 


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City Council: “We need to help renters!” hits landlords with new fees. Rents go up. City Council: “Damn, why did that happen?”


8

You would be right if this was done because the council thought this would help renters, this is being done to create another government bureaucracy and provide another revenue stream to sustain the outrageous compensations for government officials.


11

They already did this years ago and required landlords to pay a fee and the city was going around inspecting rentals. The program fell flat, the inspections never took place (only a few), and they kept everyone’s fees. If anyone already paid those fees I’d bring that up when they ask you to pay these and tell them to apply your previous balance to this one.


16

Didn’t the German government do the same thing is the 1930’s, making certain groups register? SMO…..


17

As always- another naked play to keep power ,control and $$ in local government. All institutions- including local governments devolve into making self- preservation and enrichment their primary goal. Here it is again…

…And wrapping it up in DEI and Climate Change must have been for the idiots in the room.

Hilarious.


48

Seems that all the Commies don’t all live NYC!


12

The City of SLO already has a rental registry.

If you rent property you are required to have a business license. On this business license each one of you rentals are listed as a separate entry. You pay the City a fee of the gross amount of your rents and a license fee to renew your license every year.


They also have a Fire Department inspection scam going right now. If you own a multi family rental you have to pay a yearly inspection fee which is collected with your property taxes. They never enter any of the rental units, only take a quick look on the outside of the property. I estimate they charge around $1000 for an hour of their time.


And this is good for climate change an DEI somehow. This will raise property rents and I predict landlords will charge tenants the rental registry fee as a separate entry on the lease. Incredible!


57

Well, yeah, sure. But this time, the fee will be for really good reasons. I mean, pensions don’t pay for themselves, right!


5

It is the first step to rent control. With 2/3 of the city’s population being renters, this is nothing more than a cheap political campaign stunt to get their votes and ensure the current council continues to serve (and rake in their $1000 a week salary while they ask people to volunteer their services at city hall).


35

Well it doesn’t ensure my vote and I’m a renter looking down the tunnel to see what’s coming at me as far as a rent increase. Thank you very much. Mayor and her council digging deeper into my pocket They already have what they need to get the votes to get voted in or back in. They have meet and greets on the campus with the students going,hey this is the person running for mayor or for a council seat that is how they get voted in. Renters are adults that make decisions that impact their life and the way they live, if they choose a substandard place to live, that’s on them and the rest of the city renters shouldn’t have to pay the price because code enforcement is not following through on substandard rentals or the people renting them are not complaining about it. Why because the price is probably under the going rental rate.

The renters of San Luis Obispo do not need “babysitters”making sure we get a fair deal on rent.


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