HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/24/2026 Item 4a, Alber
Julia Mary Alber <jmalber@calpoly.edu>
Sent:Tuesday, February
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:SLO Tobacco Control Program; Trent Johnson
Subject:Follow Up to Rental Registry Study Session
Dear Mayor Steward and City Council Members,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment during the recent rental registry study
session.
I am writing to follow up and share an example of a health and safety standards checklist used by the
City of Fresno as part of its rental registry program. Fresno’s checklist outlines clear, objective
standards related to habitability, safety, and property maintenance. It functions as a transparent and
consistent tool for property owners, tenants, and the City, and helps ensure that expectations are
clearly defined across all rental units. To be clear, we are not asking for an inspection program - we
are asking you to provide a tool that could inform both tenants and property managers on what health
and safety looks like. We simply want to share an example of possible items that could be included in
a potential checklist in SLO.
We believe a similar checklist in SLO would provide clarity around minimum standards, strengthen
transparency, and support more informed, data-driven decision-making. However, for these benefits
to be realized, the rental registry must be mandatory. A voluntary system would inevitably produce
incomplete participation and incomplete data, limiting the City’s ability to understand housing
conditions comprehensively and to respond effectively. Without full participation, the registry cannot
serve as a reliable foundation for accountability, enforcement alignment, or long-term policy planning.
The SLO County Tobacco Control Coalition appreciates your continued leadership on this issue and
strongly urges you to adopt a mandatory rental registry to ensure transparency, consistency, and
meaningful impact. We are happy to provide additional examples or other support as the City moves
forward.
Sincerely,
Julia Alber
Chair, SLO County Tobacco Control Coalition
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