Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda: 03/05/2026

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD
Regular Meeting & public hearing 
Thursday, march 5, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
School District Board Room – 1231 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
Teleconference Location – 2010 Fifth Street, Unit 260 Berkeley, CA 94710

Public participation

This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid model with both in-person and remote participation, and in accordance with Government Code Section 54953 and all current state and local requirements allowing public participation in meetings of legislative bodies. Any member of the public may attend this meeting at the posted location(s). Questions regarding this matter may be addressed to DéSeana Williams, Executive Director of the Rent Board, at 510-981-7368 (981-RENT). The Board may take action related to any subject listed on the Agenda.

To access this meeting by Zoom

Join the meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device. If you do not want your name to appear on the screen, use the drop-down menu and click on "Rename" to rename yourself to be anonymous. To request to speak, use the “Raise Hand” icon by rolling over the bottom of the screen.

To join by phone

Dial 1-669-444-9171, enter Webinar ID: 816 2351 3368 and Passcode: 857006. To comment during the public comment part of the agenda, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair.

Email comments

Email comments must be submitted to amueller@berkeleyca.gov by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to be considered by the Board and included in the public record. Format your subject line: “RENT BOARD MEETING PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM.” Please observe a 150-word limit. Time limits on public comments will apply.

Decorum

All rules of procedure and decorum apply for both in-person attendees and those participating remotely. Attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various scents. Please help the City respect these needs.

Communications access information

This meeting is being held in a wheelchair accessible location. To request disability-related accommodation(s) to participate in the meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Disability Services Specialist at (510) 981-6418 (voice) or (510) 981-6347 (TDD) at least three (3) business days before the meeting date.

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD
Regular Meeting & public hearing 
Thursday, march 5, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
School District Board Room – 1231 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
Teleconference Location – 2010 Fifth Street, Unit 260 Berkeley, CA 94710

Live Webcast

AGENDA
 

1. Roll call
2. Approval of Agenda 
3. Land Acknowledgment Statement: The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board recognizes that the rental housing units we regulate are built on the territory of xučyun (Huchiun-(Hooch-yoon)), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo (Cho-chen-yo)-speaking Ohlone (Oh-low-nee) people, the ancestors and descendants of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. This land was and continues to be of great importance to all of the Ohlone Tribes and descendants of the Verona Band. As we begin our meeting tonight, we acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of Berkeley, the documented 5,000-year history of a vibrant community at the West Berkeley Shellmound, and the Ohlone people who continue to reside in the East Bay. We recognize that Berkeley’s landlords and tenants have and continue to benefit from the use and occupation of this unceded stolen land since the City of Berkeley’s incorporation in 1878 and since the Rent Stabilization Board’s creation in 1980. As stewards of the laws regulating rental housing, it is not only vital that we recognize the history of this land but also recognize that the Ohlone people are present members of Berkeley and other East Bay communities today. 
4.  Public Comment for Unions representing Rent Board staff
5. Public Comment
6. Public Hearing on Proposed Increase to the Registration Fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027
   1. Presentation on the proposed increase to the FY 2026-2027 Registration Fees (Executive Director)
   2. Public Comment
   3. Comments from the Board
7. Appeal in Case No. T-6157 (1370 University Ave., Unit 404) – This appeal will not be heard before 8:00 p.m. but may be heard anytime thereafter. Please see attachment 7 for case description and legal staff recommendation. 
8. Action Items
   1. Discussion and possible action to adopt Resolution 26-09 establishing a Rent Board Operating Reserve Policy (Executive Director)
   2. Recommendation to adopt Resolution 26-10 setting the FY 2026-2027 annual registration fee for fully covered units (due July 1, 2026) at $404 per unit (Budget & Personnel Committee and Executive Director)
   3. Recommendation to adopt Resolution 26-11 setting the FY 2026-2027 annual registration fee for partially covered units (due July 1, 2026) at $250 per unit (Budget & Personnel Committee and Executive Director) 
   4. Recommendation to adopt Resolution 26-12 setting the FY 2026-2027 Summer Rental Period registration fee for fraternities and sororities (due July 1, 2026) at $120 per unit (Budget & Personnel Committee and Executive Director)
9. Information, Announcements and Articles/Media
   NOTE:  The Board may vote to move Information Items to the Action calendar.
   1. Provision of a copy of the Brown Act to members of the Board, as required by Government Code section 54952.7 (General Counsel)
   2. Deadline to submit agenda items/topics for the March 23rd regular Rent Board meeting: Monday, March 9th by 5:00 p.m. – Verbal (Board Secretary)
   3. Updates and Announcements
   4. Discussion of items for possible placement on future agenda
10. Adjournment