Alameda wins rent control protections for 150 units at Admirals Cove

Published on September 03, 2025

The City of Alameda has prevailed at the California Court of Appeal, securing rent control protections for 150 residential units at Admirals Cove, a community of renovated townhomes between Alameda Landing and the Main Street Alameda Ferry Terminal. These units were originally constructed in 1969 to house Naval personnel and their families. After the U.S. government auctioned the vacant parcel in 2017, developer Carmel Partners renovated the buildings and began leasing the units in 2019. 

The ruling affirms that all 150 residential units are subject to the full protection of the City’s Rent Control laws, preventing excessive and unlawful rent increases, some of which were double-digit increases imposed during the pandemic. This decision marks the culmination of a multi-year legal effort to protect tenants from displacement and excessive rent hikes.

“The City of Alameda’s Rent Control Ordinance is a centerpiece of the City’s strong policy of protecting and preserving affordable housing in our community,” said City Attorney Yibin Shen. “The City Attorney’s Office, including the Rent Program, is committed to justly enforcing state and local housing laws and ensuring that Alameda remains a place that people from all backgrounds and income levels can call home.”

Following the renovation, Carmel Partners regularly increased rents on Admirals Cove residents that far exceeded what is permitted under Alameda’s Rent Control Ordinance, leading to many unfortunate tenant displacements. When discovering these displacements and unlawful rent increases, Rent Program Director Bill Chapin immediately ordered Carmel to halt the rent increases and refund excess rents. Following an appeal by Carmel, an Independent Hearing Officer upheld Director Chapin’s decision. When Carmel refused to comply and initiated litigation against the City, the City Attorney’s Office defended the Rent Program’s tenant protection actions in court.

The Court of Appeal’s published decision issued on August 29, 2025, establishes a powerful legal precedent. It confirms that the residential use of these housing units, dating back to 1969, subjects them to rent control, and that the developer’s subsequent renovations do not exempt the property.

This ruling assures that as institutional housing of all types, including former military housing or school housing, is converted to public use, cities, counties, and their residents will be assured that they can adopt reasonable rent control regulations to protect these units from excessive rent increases and enhance housing stability across California.

Residents of Admirals Cove—or any other rental property in Alameda—who have questions about rent increases they have received may contact Rent Program staff at 510-747-7520 or rentprogram@alamedaca.gov for more information.