Measure CC Aims To Increase Menlo Park's 'Hotel Tax' By 3.5%

MENLO PARK, CA — Menlo Park voters will get the final word on a proposal to increase the city's transient occupancy tax (TOT) to 15.5 percent by 2026.

Often called a hotel tax, TOTs are levied on people staying in hotels, short-term rentals and other forms of lodging for 30 days or less. Menlo Park's current hotel tax rate is 12 percent. If approved by voters, Measure CC would raise the tax by 2 percent on Jan. 1, and by another 1.5 percent the following year.

The City Council adopted the resolution in July to send to voters in November, noting the tax applies to visitors and grants the city the ability to "remain self-reliant" and generate more tax funds for local uses, including emergency preparedness and public safety services.

The argument in favor of the measure co-signed by two longtime residents and three commissioners reflected a similar sentiment, arguing the tax is "100% paid by visitors, tourists, and other non-residents" who benefit from local services and infrastructure. A formal argument against the measure was not filed with the elections office.

According to an impartial analysis completed by the City Attorney's Office, revenue generated by the tax is not legally restricted and goes into the general fund, allowing the city to tap the money for a variety of uses.

"As a full-service city, these services could include maintaining and repairing streets; enhancing emergency preparedness for storms, flooding, and wildfires; maintaining parks, open spaces, sports fields and children's play structures; keeping public areas healthy, safe, and clean; maintaining park and recreation programs; and maintaining 911 emergency response and preparedness, among other things," City Attorney Nira Doherty wrote.

Measure CC requires a simple majority to pass.

Voters can learn more about the measure, and others on the ballot across the region, on the county's election website.