A "For Rent" sign outside of a Meridian Group property on Monday. Santa Barbara's temporary rent freeze — which goes into effect this week — won’t apply to any multi-family homes built after Feb. 1, 1995, single-family homes, and most condos and townhomes.
A "For Rent" sign outside of a Meridian Group property on Monday. Santa Barbara's temporary rent freeze — which goes into effect this week — won’t apply to any multi-family homes built after Feb. 1, 1995, single-family homes, and most condos and townhomes. Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo

Santa Barbara’s new temporary rent freeze goes into effect on Thursday, but depending on the unit, landlords still might be able to increase rates. 

The Santa Barbara City Council last month approved a temporary rent freeze ordinance that will expire on Dec. 31 or when a permanent rent stabilization ordinance is established — whichever happens first.  

However, the ordinance won’t apply to any multi-family homes built after Feb. 1, 1995, single-family homes, and most condos and townhomes. 

It also won’t apply to units established as 30-day short-term vacation rentals, units in medical treatment facilities, units owned by a university or other educational institutions, convents, monasteries or similar institutional housing.

Similarly, it doesn’t apply to rental units managed by a public agency, nonprofit organization or government agency.

Tenants renting with Section 8 housing assistance also won’t qualify because their rent is determined by their income.

While the ordinance is in effect, landlords can’t raise the rent beyond what was in effect on Dec. 16, 2025. For tenancies that started after Dec. 16, the rent can’t be increased from what it was on the initial move-in date, according to the ordinance.

Any lawful rent increases made before Dec. 16 or before the ordinance goes into effect on Thursday will be allowed.

There also are new rules about taking a unit off the rental market. 

Now, if a landlord wants to take one unit off the rental market, all other units on that property would need to be taken off the market as well. Once off the market, units can’t be rented out again for five years.

Additionally, lease termination notices would have to be given to all tenants at the same time. Eviction dates in the notices can vary depending on the tenants’ rental agreements.  

How We Got Here

Santa Barbara City Hall has been buzzing with passionate discussions over the rent freeze for the past few months. 

In December, the City Council voted 4-3 to have city staff draft the temporary rent freeze. The council then officially approved the ordinance at the end of January. 

Councilwomen Meagan Harmon, Wendy Santamaria and Kristen Sneddon and Councilman Oscar Gutierrez have supported a rent freeze, citing concerns from residents struggling to afford to live in the city.

CouncilmenEric Friedman and Mike Jordan, as well as Mayor Randy Rowse, voted against the ordinance, arguing it was government overreach and could hurt the city’s existing rental stock. 

Each meeting has produced lengthy and emotional public comment periods, with landlords arguing that they need to raise rents to keep up with the price of property taxes and utilities. 

Tenants and advocates have argued that they have to work multiple jobs to keep up with the rising cost of rent. 

City staff are working on a permanent stabilization ordinance, for which they hope to bring a draft to the council in March.

If all goes to plan, the council will review a draft for a permanent stabilization ordinance in March, allowing for public review before a final decision is made in July.

If passed, that ordinance would be implemented in January 2027.

Questions about the temporary rent freeze can be directed to the city’s Rental Housing Mediation Program. 

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.