Measure PFD
City of Pasadena · Los Angeles County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
City of Pasadena 911 Firefighter/Paramedic Emergency Medical/Wildfire Preparedness/Response Measure . To help maintain fire, paramedic, 911 response; prepare for/respond to wildfires/earthquakes/medical emergencies; recruit/retain well - trained firefighters; maintain lifesaving equipment/fire alert communication; shall City of Pasadena's measure annually levy 19¢ per square foot of improved property, with low - income senior exemption, providing approximately $22,100,000 annually, expiring after 14 years, requiring accountability, independent audits, oversight, public spending disclosure; all funds must be used to support local fire protection/emergency medical response services, be adopted?
In plain language
Measure PFD is a Pasadena tax measure for fire and emergency services. A YES vote lets the city charge 19 cents per square foot of improved property each year. Low-income seniors would be exempt from this charge. The money would pay for firefighters, paramedics, and 911 response. It would also pay for wildfire and earthquake preparedness. The tax would raise about $22,100,000 a year. It would end after 14 years, with required audits and public spending reports. A NO vote keeps the tax from being created.
Fiscal impact
The tax is 19 cents per square foot of improved property each year. It would raise about $22,100,000 each year. It expires after 14 years.
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 PFD is supported by the L.A. County Democratic Party, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger”
— L.A. County Democratic Party; L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, LAist (2026) · City of Pasadena Measure PFD: What to know about the tax to support the Fire DepartmentRead the source →
Opponents say
“It imposes a broad-benefit tax on a narrow segment of the local community.”
— Daniel Yukelson, AAGLA, Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (2026) · Fire Safety Funding Needs a Better Plan Than an Oppressive New TaxRead the source →“we are concerned about the growing trend of local governments relying on parcel taxes and other new taxes”
— BOMA Greater Los Angeles, BOMA on the Frontline (BOMA Greater Los Angeles) (2026) · Pasadena Fire Parcel Tax Proposal Raises New Concerns for CRERead the source →