In the Nov. 4, 2025 statewide special election, voters in the City of Santa Cruz will consider two local ballot measures: Measure B and Measure C. All Santa Cruz County voters will also consider state Proposition 50. Read CalMatters’ guide to Prop 50.
Voting starts Monday, Oct. 6 at three locations in the county. Find a polling place. Ballots can be mailed in or dropped at an official ballot box. Find a ballot drop box.
Last county update: 12/2/2025 12 p.m.
B – Workforce Housing And Climate Protection Act – Majority to pass
| Vote | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 3,109 (12.98%) | |
| No | 20,842 (87.02%) |
C – Workforce Housing Affordability Act – Majority to pass
| Vote | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 13,575 (56.14%) | |
| No | 10,604 (43.86%) |
In this guide:
Quick look • Measure comparison • More details • Endorsements • Campaign finance • Where and how to vote
| Measure B | Measure C | |
|---|---|---|
| How much would the tax be? |
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| How much money would it raise annually? | $750,000, according to an analysis from city staff. The ballot question says that the measure would raise $1.1 million annually, but that estimate doesn’t account for people exempt from the proposed taxes, said a campaign spokesperson. | $2.5 million, according to an analysis from city staff. The ballot question says that the measure would raise $4.5 million annually. |
| What would it be spent on? |
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| How long would the taxes be in effect? | 10 years. The city council would not be allowed to place a measure on the ballot to increase or extend the tax before it expires. | 20 years. The city council would not be allowed to place a measure on the ballot to increase or extend the tax before it expires. |
| Who is exempt from the parcel tax? |
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| What sales are exempt from the property transfer tax? |
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How much would the tax be?
Measure B:
- An annual $50 parcel tax.
- A tax on property sales over $4 million.
Measure C:
- An annual $96 parcel tax.
- A graduated tax on property sales over $1.8 million.
How much money would it raise annually?
Measure B:
$750,000, according to an analysis from city staff.
The ballot question says that the measure would raise $1.1 million, but that estimate doesn’t account for people exempt from the proposed taxes, said a campaign spokesperson.
Measure C:
$2.5 million, according to an analysis from city staff.
The ballot question says that the measure would raise $4.5 million annually.
What would it be spent on?
Measure B:
- 87% on:
- Building and preserving affordable housing.
- Repairing the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, West Cliff Drive and other roads impacted by extreme weather associated with climate change.
- Tree planting and other environmental projects.
- 10% on permanent supportive housing, homeless shelters and rental assistance.
- 3% on administration and oversight.
Measure C:
- 87% on:
- Building and preserving affordable housing.
- Homebuyer down payment assistance.
- 10% on permanent supportive housing, homeless shelters and rental assistance.
- 3% on administration and oversight.
How long would the taxes be in effect?
Measure B: 10 years. The city council would not be allowed to place a measure on the ballot to increase or extend the tax before it expires.
Measure C: 20 years. The city council would not be allowed to place a measure on the ballot to increase or extend the tax before it expires.
Who is exempt from the parcel tax?
Measure B:
- Homeowning households earning 60% or less of the area median income. The median income is determined annually by the state. For 2025, the income limit would be $55,770 for one person and $79,680 for a family of four in Santa Cruz County.
- Homeowners age 55 or older.
- 100% below-market-rate housing developments.
- Churches, schools and other groups exempt from property taxes.
Measure C:
- Homeowning households earning 60% or less of the area median income. The median income is determined annually by the state. For 2025, the income limit would be $55,770 for one person and $79,680 for a family of four.
- Homeowners age 65 or older who earn up to 80% of the area median income ($74,360 for a single person in 2025).
- 100% below-market-rate housing developments.
- Churches, schools and other groups exempt from property taxes.
What sales are exempt from the property transfer tax?
Measure B:
- Sales by property owners age 55 and older.
- A family gift or inheritance.
- A sale from a public agency to a nonprofit or other public agency.
- Deed-restricted affordable units.
- Sales as part of bankruptcy.
- Sales of jointly-owned properties because of separation or divorce.
Read the full text for a complete list of exclusions.
Measure C:
- A family gift or inheritance.
- A sale from a public agency to a nonprofit or other public agency.
- Deed-restricted affordable units.
- Sales as part of bankruptcy.
- Sales of jointly-owned properties because of separation or divorce.
Property owners and sellers are jointly responsible for the tax, although in California it is most often paid by the seller.
Both taxes are graduated, meaning they charge different rates depending on the sale price.
Both initiatives require more than 50% voter approval. If both Measure B and Measure C are approved, the one with more votes will go into effect.
Voters can vote in favor of one measure, both, or neither.
For both measures B and C, the city council would decide how the funds are spent through the annual budget process or in budget adjustments during the year.
Spending would be overseen by a three-person oversight committee with the city finance director, the CEO of a local bank or credit union and a member of the public appointed by the city council.
Measure B could be vulnerable to a legal challenge, said Santa Cruz City Attorney Tony Condotti in an Oct. 1 interview. That’s because as a “special tax” that needs a simple majority, the measure must raise money to address a single issue. Measure B tackles both the housing crisis and climate change-related damage to the wharf and city roads. It’s not clear that those constitute a single purpose, Condotti wrote in an impartial analysis of the measure. If voters approve Measure B and it is challenged in court, the city would be obligated to defend it, he said.
Measure B
The argument for Measure B was signed by Renee Mello, President of the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors.
Measure C
- Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley.
- All five other members of the Santa Cruz City Council.
- Santa Cruz County supervisors Monica Martinez, Felipe Hernandez, Justin Cummings and Manu Koenig.
- State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin.
- State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.
- State Senator John Laird.
- See more endorsements on the Yes on C campaign website.
As of Sept. 20, the campaign for Measure B has raised $267,078 in money and donated services.
Major donors include:
- National Association Of Realtors: $181,978.
- California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization Political Action Committee: $85,000.
As of Sept. 20, the campaign for Measure C has raised $306,533 in money and donated services.
Major donors include:
- Eden Housing Inc.: $50,000.
- Northern California Carpenters Regional Council Issues Political Action Committee: $50,000.
- Long Beach-based Ensemble Investments: $40,000.
- Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley: $56,000.
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