Committee advances rent‑control charter amendment for new up‑zone units, directs further analysis

Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced a first‑draft charter amendment intended to extend rent control to new residential units created when the City amends the planning code to allow additional residential density or height. The author circulated an amendment giving the Board of Supervisors authority to enact a phase‑in or stabilization period between 0 and 15 years for units created under such up‑zones.

Tenant organizations, anti‑displacement advocates and the San Francisco Tenants Union strongly supported the measure, saying it would prevent displacement and protect long‑term residents from steep rent increases in newly built units. Housing Rights Committee, the Anti‑Displacement Coalition and multiple tenant speakers testified that the change would stabilize neighborhoods and preserve affordability for seniors and low‑income households.

Developers, SPUR and a range of housing‑policy analysts cautioned that requiring rent control on newly up‑zoned units could make many mixed‑income projects financially infeasible. They requested an independent economic feasibility study and argued that the measure — as introduced — risked curbing the very new construction needed to address the housing shortage.

Supervisor Mandelmann and others praised the intent but asked for technical analysis; Supervisor Peskin said the proposed phase‑in language and the planned Technical Advisory Committee work would allow the Board to refine implementation. The Committee adopted amendments and continued the item to July 11 to allow the Board and stakeholders to review feasibility analysis and finalize the phase‑in approach.

Why it matters: If enacted, the charter change would expand rent protections to a larger share of recently built housing and change the financial calculus of developers and lenders expecting to rent market units unconstrained by local rent control rules.

What’s next: The Rules Committee adopted the introduced amendments and continued the item to the July 11 meeting; the Board will consider an economic feasibility analysis and additional technical changes before a final vote.