Measure V: Measure V - City Of Berkeley - Sales Tax Measure
City of Berkeley · Alameda County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
Shall the measure levying a 0.5% sales tax in Berkeley, increasing the total sales tax rate in the City to 10.75%, estimated to generate $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 annually, with proceeds placed into the General Fund for general City uses, including but not limited to sustaining fire, police and 911 dispatch services, youth and senior services, and community programs, until ended by the voters, with independent audits, be adopted?
In plain language
Measure V would raise the sales tax in the City of Berkeley. A YES vote adds a 0.5% sales tax, bringing the total sales tax rate in Berkeley to 10.75%. The money goes into the city's General Fund for general uses, including fire, police, and 911 dispatch services, youth and senior services, and community programs, with independent audits. A NO vote keeps the sales tax rate as it is now.
Fiscal impact
The new 0.5% sales tax would raise the total rate to 10.75% and bring in about $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 a year until voters end it.
Impartial analysis
This measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council of the City of Berkeley. The measure would adopt the “2026 Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance.” The Ordinance would impose a retail transactions and use tax (sales tax) increasing the sales tax rate in Berkeley by one-half of one percent (0.5%), or one half cent, on every dollar of taxable sales of goods in the City, and on the taxable storage, use or consumption in the City of goods purchased. The measure would bring the aggregate sales tax rate in Berkeley to 10.75%, subject to voter approval of any other sales tax increases applicable in the City. This would be a general tax, meaning the revenue from the tax would be placed into the General Fund and could be spent on any valid municipal purpose. If adopted, the tax would go into effect beginning April 1, 2027, and last until ended by the voters. The tax would be paid in addition to current sales taxes and would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as existing sales taxes by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, with the revenue then paid over to the City. The City estimates the tax will generate $9 to $10 million annually. Proceeds from the tax would be subject to the same independent annual audit requirements as other general fund revenue. A “Yes” vote is a vote in favor of the tax. A “No” vote is a vote against the tax. This measure will be approved if it receives a simple majority of “Yes” votes. /s/ Farimah Faiz Brown Berkeley City Attorney
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
“Measure V is a modest local measure that brings Berkeley to the same sales tax level as our Oakland and Albany neighbors and helps close Berkeley's structural budget gap”
— Safe & Vibrant Berkeley campaign, Safe & Vibrant Berkeley (joint Yes on U & V campaign) (2026) · Yes on U&V Berkeley Measures U & VRead the source →“the increase simply brings the sales tax up to the level of most Alameda County municipalities.”
— League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville, League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville (2026) · Vote with the League November 2026 - Measure VRead the source →
Opponents say
“regressive taxation that falls hardest on students, low-income households, seniors, and working families.”
— Affordable Berkeley (Geoff Lomax and other listed signers), Affordable Berkeley (FPPC ID 1496744) (2026) · Berkeley Measure V (Sales Tax Increase) - Vote NORead the source →“A new sales tax would disproportionately impact low- and middle-income households already struggling with rising costs.”
— WOM Berkeley, WOM Berkeley (2026) · Sales Tax Ballot Argument Opposing Berkeley Measure VRead the source →