REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Introduce an Ordinance Amending Chapter 19.71 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Relating to the Residential Tenant Protections Program
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Planning Commission considered this item on April 13, 2026. The Housing and Human Services Commission considered this item on April 14, 2026.
The Planning Commission, by general consent, separated the motion into two parts for voting purposes. The Planning Commission considered a motion to recommend to Council Alternative 1: Introduce an Ordinance amending SMC Chapter 19.71 Residential Tenant Protections Program to increase relocation assistance required during no-fault, just cause evictions to three (3) months' rent. The motion was 3-2, with Commissioner Figone abstaining and Chair Iglesias absent. Under SMC 19.96.060(d), at least four (4) affirmative votes are needed for an ordinance to receive a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council; the failure to achieve four (4) votes means that the recommendation is deemed a recommendation of denial of the draft ordinance, even though a majority of the Commissioners present and voting recommended approval.
The Planning Commission then voted to recommend to Council approval of Alternative 3: Direct staff to study additional tenant protections for "Day 1" just cause evictions, further protections for vulnerable populations, and fair market rent relocation assistance. The Planning Commission vote was 6-0, with Chair Iglesias absent.
Final minutes of the Planning Commission meeting are in Attachment 8 to this report.
The Housing and Human Services Commission voted to recommend to City Council approval of Alternatives 2 and 3: 2) Do not introduce an Ordinance and provide direction to staff, with the direction being to consider an exemption for properties with fewer than seven (7) units, which would still be subject to the two (2) months of relocation assistance, and to define the...
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