Measure W: Measure W – City of San Rafael
City of San Rafael · Marin County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
San Rafael Essential Services Protection Measure. To provide locally controlled funding for essential city services, such as fire protection, paramedics, rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times; preventing street/road deterioration; addressing impacts of homelessness/litter/illegal dumping; and other services, shall the City of San Rafael’s measure be adopted increasing the current real property transfer tax rate from 0.2% to 1% (only paid upon sale), generating approximately $7,500,000 annually until ended by voters, with annual audits and public spending disclosure?
In plain language
Measure W would raise San Rafael's real property transfer tax. This is a one-time tax paid when property is sold. It is not the same as the yearly property tax. The buyer, the seller, or both may pay it, based on their deal. A YES vote raises the rate from 0.2% to 1%. On a $1 million sale, the tax would go from $2,000 to $10,000. The money would go into the city's general fund for city services. Examples are fire protection, paramedics, 9-1-1 response, streets, and dealing with homelessness, litter and illegal dumping. A city oversight committee would review how the money is spent. The tax would stay in place until voters end it. A NO vote keeps the current 0.2% rate.
Fiscal impact
The rate would rise from 0.2% ($2 per $1,000 of value) to 1% ($10 per $1,000). The current tax raises about $1.5 million a year. The city estimates the measure would add about $6 million a year, for a total of about $7.5 million a year, until ended by voters.
Impartial analysis
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS PREPARED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY SAN RAFAEL ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROTECTION MEASURE The San Rafael City Council has placed this measure on the ballot. If approved by the voters, this measure would modify Chapter 3 .22 of the San Rafael Municipal Code to increase the real property transfer tax rate that is imposed on every transfer of real property. The tax may be paid by either the seller or the buyer or both, depending _upon their agreement. The real property transfer tax is a one-time expense related to the transfer of real property ownership. It is unrelated to the annual payment of property taxes. The current tax rate is .2% ($2.00 for each one thousand dollars or fractional part of one thousand dollars of the value of the consideration). It generates approximately $1.5 million annually. This proposed measure would increase the tax rate to 1 % ($10.00 for each one thousand dollars or fractional part of one thousand dollars of the value of the consideration). For example, under the current rate, a real property sales price of $1 million generates $2,000 in real property transfer tax to the City. If the measure passes, the one-time tax paid on a $1 million sale would be $10,000. The City estimates that approval of the measure would generate an additional estimated $6.0 million annually, and when added to the revenue generated by the existing tax, for a total of $7.5 million annually. Funds generated by the real estate transfer property tax are deposited in the City's general fund. On an annual basis, the City appropriates general funds derived from the real property tax for City services, to pay for services such as fire protection, paramedics, rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times; preventing street/road deterioration; addressing impacts of homelessness/litter/illegal dumping; and other City services. These funds cannot be taken or appropriated by the state or federal governments. In addition, San Rafael's Voter-Approved Tax Oversight Committee (VATOC) established by City Council Resolution No. 15118 currently reviews the collection and expenditure of the revenues derived from city taxes. The VATOC would review the collection and expenditure of the revenues derived from this proposed measure, if passed. If this measure passes, it will take effect ten days after the City Council certifies the results for the November 3, 2026, municipal election. It would remain in effect unless and until the voters decide to change it. To become effective, this measure must be approved by the majority of the City of San Rafael electors voting at the election. A YES vote approves the measure. A NO ote rejects the me ure. The current rate would remain in effect.
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
Argument in Favor of Measure W City of San Rafael Vote Yes on W to protect what makes San Rafael a great place to live. Safe neighborhoods, rapid 9-1-1 response, well-kept parks, and quality public infrastructure protect our safety and property values. With the number of 9-1-1 emergency calls rising, more on-duty firefighters and paramedics are needed to maintain rapid response to heart attacks, strokes, fires, accidents, and other emergencies. San Rafael's SAFE Team responds to people under the influence of drugs/alcohol, experiencing mental illness, or in need of shelter. This program connecting people to services, limiting the impacts of homelessness, and allowing police to focus on other priorities, is only supported by temporary, limited funding. San Rafael maintains 173 miles of streets and sidewalks, 25 parks, and public infrastructure serving nearly 60,000 residents. The City has a $4,000,000 annual street maintenance budget shortfall and an underground storm drainage system to prevent flooding that is more than 50 years old. Voting Yes on W maintains the essential city services and repairs aging infrastructure before it becomes more expensive to fix later. Measure W funds these priorities through a modest 0.8% increase in the city’s property transfer tax only paid when a property changes ownership. Unlike an annual property tax, this is only paid by residents and businesses buying or selling real estate. Measure W will: • Maintain 9-1-1 emergency medical, police, and fire response times • Prevent street and sidewalk deterioration • Address the impacts of homelessness, litter, and illegal dumping • Maintain storm drain systems to prevent flooding Measure W requires strict fiscal accountability and local control: • All funds stay local • No funds can be taken by the state and federal governments • Independent oversight, annual audits, and public spending disclosure is required Vote YES on W to maintain reliable emergency response, repair aging infrastructure before it becomes more expensive, and keep San Rafael a great place to live. Kate Colin City of San Rafael Mayor Jon Haveman Member, Voter Approved Tax Oversight Committee Patricia Garbarino Businessperson Lawrence Andow Member, San Rafael Board of Library Trustees Mary Maurer Neighborhood Association Leader
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE W Here We Go Again Does it seem like San Rafael keeps asking for yet another tax for the same thing? It’s not your imagination! Measure W, if passed, will be the FIFTH San Rafael City tax – all in place simultaneously -- purporting to fund essential services. 1. Basic property tax 2. 2013 Measure E sales tax increase 3. 2018 Measure G cannabis tax 4. 2020 Measure R further sales tax increase 5. 2026 Measure W property transfer tax Each of these tax measures’ ballot language simply promises what polls best: • Preserve, protect, maintain or enhance essential city services • Ditto for 911 emergency response, police, fire • Maintain city streets & repair potholes In fact, Measure W is a “general tax” that can fund pretty much any legitimate city expenditure. And it lasts forever. If you aren’t expecting to buy or sell a home soon, Measure W appears harmless. It isn’t. Measure W doesn’t protect property values as The Primary Argument in Favor claims. Studies show transfer taxes have lasting negative impacts: • LOWER property values relative to neighboring cities • REDUCE the number of homes available to buyers • PENALIZE mobility, making it cost more for young people to trade up and for older people to downsize or move closer to family. Why does San Rafael keep needing more taxes and fees? What’s their plan to stop the treadmill? it’s time for the City of San Rafael to develop a long-term revenue and expenditure plan that’s within taxpayers’ means and adequately funds the essential services we value. Until then, vote NO. Marin REALTORS® Sean Murphy Former Board Member of San Rafael Chamber of Commerce Richard Tait Core Group Member, Citizens for Sustainable Pension Plans Chris Backer Realtor Phoebe Reyes San Rafael Resident
Argument against
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE W Measure W does not deserve your support. Vote NO. Vote NO for these reasons: ● Poor management of existing taxes. ● The tax has no sunset. Will last forever. ● A massive permanent housing tax. ● No restrictions on spending. ● No oversight. No on Measure W: The City is on a taxing treadmill In roughly 20 years, San Rafael voters have approved nine new or increased tax measures: sales taxes, library taxes, a cannabis tax, a construction tax and a paramedic tax. We just passed a library tax this June. Now they’re back asking for more. No on Measure W: The Wrong Time for a Housing Tax Measure W is a 400% tax increase on people buying or selling homes. That adds another burden on first-time buyers and seniors trying to downsize. Transfer taxes are passed on to renters too. Measure W makes it worse! No on Measure W: A $6 Million Tax Hike to Solve a $2 Million Budget Deficit The City says they “might” have a $2 million deficit in 2030, so they need a $6 million tax right now? Maybe these aren’t the people we should trust to balance the budget. No on Measure W: No Restrictions on How the Money Is Spent The City wrote the ballot question, making a lot of promises. But Measure W lets the City spend the money however it wants, with no restrictions, forever. No on Measure W: Empty Promises of “Oversight” Can’t Be Trusted The City claims there will be oversight, but the Oversight Committee has no authority over how the money is spent. It’s the same “Oversight” promise from previous taxes. Don’t be fooled. San Rafael voters have been generous – raising taxes multiple times. Tell the City to live within its means, same as we do. Vote NO on Measure W! Marin REALTORS® The Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers Michael Mackintosh Housing Provider, San Rafael resident
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE W City of San Rafael If you care about rapid 9-1-1 response, safe neighborhoods, and well-maintained streets in San Rafael, Measure W deserves your support. Here are the FACTS: Demand for services is growing and aging infrastructure needs repair. The City already made $1 million in fiscally responsible reductions to balance its budget. But demand for 9-1-1 emergency medical, fire and police response is increasing, while deteriorating streets, storm drains, parks, and facilities need investment. Yes on W addresses these underfunded needs. Delaying street repairs costs more. San Rafael maintains 173 miles of streets and sidewalks. Independent engineers rate local streets “fair” and declining, with $4 million needed annually for maintenance and improvements. Every $1 invested in proactive maintenance can avoid $6 - $10 in future reconstruction costs. Yes on W saves millions. Local 9-1-1 resources are strained. Nearly 80% of San Rafael Fire Department 9-1-1 responses are medical emergencies. An independent assessment found San Rafael’s two dedicated paramedic ambulances cannot consistently meet response time standards, requiring fire engines to be diverted to ambulance transports. Yes on W helps maintain rapid 9-1-1 response. SAFE Team funding is temporary and limited. The SAFE Team addresses homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse by connecting people to services. Yes on W sustains and expands this proven program, allowing police to focus on crime. Measure W is not an annual property tax. This modest, one-time 0.8% transfer tax increase is a small investment in the safe neighborhoods, infrastructure, and quality of life that protect San Rafael’s strong property values. Join San Rafael’s trusted leaders and vote Yes on W. John J. Bagala, Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF L1775, Union President Maribeth Bushey, City of San Rafael City Councilmember John Chung, Member, San Rafael Fire Commission Melissa Prandi, San Rafael Real Estate Broker and Fifty Year San Rafael Resident Gary Phillips Former Mayor of San Rafael
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
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.