Eviction moratorium on Eureka City Council special meeting agenda

At a special meeting on Monday, March 30th at 4 pm, the Eureka City Council will consider an eviction moratorium. On March 16, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slow foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19.

The Executive Order comes as Californians are experiencing substantial loss of hours or wages, or layoffs related to COVID-19, affecting their ability to keep up their rents, mortgages, and utility bills. The eviction moratorium will be in effect until May 31, 2020.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government-ordered precautions, many tenants have experienced sudden income loss, and further income impacts are anticipated, leaving tenants vulnerable to eviction.

Given the severe consequence of evictions or possible increases in rent, including potential homelessness and potential for families moving into overcrowded conditions with the potential to spread the virus, an unconditional moratorium on evictions that are based on non-payment of rent and no-fault terminations of tenancy is necessary while the public health emergency remains.

During this state of emergency, and in the interests of protecting the public health and preventing transmission of the coronavirus, it is essential to avoid unnecessary displacement and homelessness.

Upon passage, this ordinance would take effect immediately and will remain in effect through May 31, 2020. Please note that the City Council may extend the effective period of this ordinance as necessary in response to the emergency.

During the moratorium, no landlord may evict a tenant in either of the following situations:

1. For nonpayment for rent; or

2. For a no-fault eviction

To qualify for delayed payments, the tenant must notify the landlord in writing of lost income and inability to pay full rent and provide documentation to support the claim. The circumstances to make this claim may include:

1. Tenant lost household income as a result of being sick with Coronavirus, or caring for a household or family member who is sick with Coronavirus;

2. Tenant lost household income as a result of a lay-off, loss of hours, loss of business, or other income reduction resulting from Coronavirus or the state of emergency;

3. Tenant lost household income due to compliance with a recommendation from a government agency to stay home, self-quarantine, or avoid congregating with others during the state of emergency;

4. Tenant lost household income as a result of caring for minor children affected by school, pre- school and/or childcare closures; or

5. Tenant lost household income as a result of the discontinuance or reduction of a government aid program.

This ordinance emphasizes that tenants are still obligated to pay lawfully charged rent, and will have up to 180 days following the expiration of the ordinance to repay any delayed payment. Landlords and tenants may mutually work out a payment schedule or arrangements for repayment of delayed payments.In addition, the ordinance suspends until after May 31, 2020:

1. The discontinuation or shut off of water service for residents and businesses in the City for non-payment of water and sewer bills;

2. The imposition of late payment penalties or fees for delinquent water and/or sewer bills; and

3. Increases in rent.

The proposed ordinance is available for review at the City of Eureka’s website: www.ci.eureka.ca.gov


THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC  Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, the special meeting of the City Council for March 30, 2020 will be conducted telephonically through Zoom and broadcast live on the City’s website.

Please be advised that pursuant to the Executive Order and to ensure the health and safety of the public by limiting human contact that could spread the VOVID-19 virus, the Council Chambers will not be open for the meeting.

Council Members will be participating virtually and will not be physically present in the Council Chambers.


In order to minimize the spread of the COVID 19 virus, please do the following: 

1.. You can view the City Council meetings live on the City of Eureka’s website at  www.ci.eureka.ca.gov or on Cable Channel 10. To view from the website, select the  Watch City Council Meetings orange button from the home page. 

2. If you wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item, please submit your comment via email to the City Clerk at cityclerk@ci.eureka.ca.gov or you may leave a message at 707.441.4175 by 3:00 P.M. on Monday, March 30, 2020. 

This is a special Council session and therefore there is no general public comment for items not on the agenda.   

The City of Eureka thanks you in advance for taking all precautions to prevent spreading the COVID 19 virus.