Oakland rewrites prostitution law to go after buyers and landlords
Oakland City Council: Council advanced a 6-0 rewrite of the prostitution law, repealing the loitering offense for sex workers and adding buyer fines up to $4K for a new survivor fund.
SF approves $610M downtown TIF district (+ 4 supervisors push back)
San Francisco Board of Supervisors: Downtown financing district approved 7-4 to subsidize office-to-housing conversions, projected $610M over 45 years. Lifetime term limits headed to June ballot.
San Jose green-lights big zoning overhaul, plus two new BIDs
San Jose City Council: A citywide zoning overhaul covering SB 9, ADUs, and downtown alcohol was signed into law. Alum Rock Santa Clara Street BID established; Story Road BID advanced.
SF advances Edgehill land swap (+ two new historic districts)
San Francisco Land Use and Transportation Committee: Edgehill land swap recommended 3-0, trading Sunset paper-street parcels for five Kensington Way hillside lots. Plus two new historic districts.
SF approves $610M tax deal to convert empty offices into homes
San Francisco Budget and Finance Committee: Supervisors cleared a new downtown financing district that could direct up to $610M to office-to-housing conversions over 30 years.
SF puts $535M earthquake safety bond on June ballot (+ rent impact)
San Francisco Board of Supervisors: $535M earthquake safety bond placed on June 2026 ballot 11-0, with 50% property tax pass-through to renters. Plus Mission Bay South tower raised to 250 ft.
Oakland's last federal youth mental health grants clear committee
Oakland Life Enrichment Committee: The committee sent up to $437,000 in federal youth mental health grants to council for a Feb 3 vote, in the program's final year.
San Jose rewrites affordable housing rules, defers mobile home changes
San Jose City Council: Inclusionary Housing Ordinance rewritten 9-2 with new 50% AMI option and 55-year affordability term. Mobile home rent overhaul deferred to Fall 2026.
Oakland honors parking chief as staff push to keep his division
Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee: The committee backed $2.7M more for Fire Station 4's design, lifting the contract to $4.2M, and honored OakDOT's parking chief.
SF legalizes parking in your own driveway (+ Maiden Lane reopens)
San Francisco Land Use and Transportation Committee: Parking up to two vehicles in your own driveway advanced 3-0, reversing a 1979 ban. Plus a ban on home-based massage businesses.