Alameda Council Votes To End COVID-19 Declaration of Local Emergency

ALAMEDA, CA — Alameda City Council adopted a resolution terminating the Declaration of Local Emergency in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. during it's Tuesday, Oct. 18 meeting at city hall.

"This action begins the process of winding down the remaining local protections that were established as an extra safety net for renters during the COVID-19 pandemic," the city said in a news release.

The Declaration of Local Emergency has been in place since March 2020 and included a moratorium on rent increases for most multi-unit properties in Alameda, a moratorium effectively preventing landlords from terminating a tenancy based on certain “no fault” grounds, the establishment of an affirmative defense to eviction based on failure to pay rent due to substantial loss of income related to the pandemic and a requirement for landlords to refrain from shutting off a tenant’s utilities except for emergency repairs.

Due to Tuesday's vote approving the resolution, the moratoriums will gradually be phased out with some of the changes taking effect immediately, while others will remain in place for several more months.

Beginning Nov. 18, the No Fault Eviction Moratorium will end, meaning landlords can officially end a tenancy.

Banked rent increases, which had been prohibited under ordinances 3275 and 3315, will be allowed to resume Dec. 18.

For those tenants who may still need assistance the city of Alameda's Rent Program has prepared a Resource Guide that has information on free or low-cost legal services for tenants, social services, charitable programs, and more. Tenants may also check the city of Alameda’s Tenant Resources page for resources and information.