Landlords will get a break on their rental registration fee starting next year as the Salinas City Council unanimously approved a 35% fee cut during the final council meeting of 2025 on Tuesday.
The new fee dropped from $170 for a rent stabilization unit to $112 and from $45 to $29 for a non-rent stabilized unit. Fees are paid per annum and go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 of this year, the program brought in $1.7 million in fees for 12,759 registered units, according to the Dec. 9 staff report, representing a 45% participation rate.
When the rental registration platform was launched in January 2025, the city estimated out of 22,794 total rental units in the city, 8,330 would qualify for rent stabilization.
The fees collected go toward operating the rental program, which during the same Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 period, cost $466,158 to run.
By year’s end, program expenditures are estimated at $803,632 (which includes the repayment of a General Fund loan used to establish the program).
Since the program brought in more funds and cost less than expected, the city will refund the difference, estimated at $911,715 to participants beginning next year after final year-end figures are determined.
Amounts returned to registered landlords will be proportionate, according to staff.
A schedule and plan on how the refunds will be given out will be presented to city council at the beginning of next year.
Protect Salinas Renters, the tenant advocacy group that launched the successful referendum campaign that kept rent stabilization in place, said while they agree with staff findings, they are concerned “the current council majority lacks the commitment necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the rental registry, renter protections, and rent stabilization measures—each of which is essential to a fair, functional, and stable local rental market.”
The group suggests two ways the city could “demonstrate leadership and commitment to implementation of the four ordinances,” such as putting a plan together that will get landlords to register their units and pay their fees and ensuring the rental registry office is fully staffed.
Contingency increased for Hebbron Family Center project
Salinas City Council also approved an additional $200,000 in contingency funds for the Hebbron Family Center Design Build Project to cover issues that came up during the final phase of construction, including saturated soil under the parking lot.
Roughly $70,000 remains of the original $250,000 contingency approved in June, according to the Dec. 9 staff report, part of a $11,029,600 contract approved between the city of Salinas and Diede Construction.
After an estimated $190,000 in change orders, $80,000 will remain for any unforeseen issues during the final phase of the project, which according to staff, remains on budget.
Once complete, the 7,500-square-feet Hebbron Family Center on Fremont Street, will include two community rooms, two meeting rooms, teen lounge and a kitchen, along with outdoor gathering spaces, a resurfaced parking lot and multi-use sports court.
The multi-generational space will be operated by the Recreation-Park Division of the Library & Community Services Department and offer programs to residents of all ages, from tiny tots to teens and seniors.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Landlord rental registration fee cut approved by Salinas City Council
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
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