Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What are Measures J and K?

A: Measures J and K are part of the City’s program of rezoning required by State Housing Element Law.  State Housing Element Law requires the City to have a housing element which plans for at least 724 new housing units at various income categories by January 30, 2026. 

Measure J provides for zoning changes at  12 sites in the City’s commercial districts.

Measure K provides for zoning changes to part of the Martin Luther King Jr. (“MLK”) Park Property to allow for no more than 50 units of housing to be built on no more than two acres of the MLK Park Property and will help the City meet very low and low income housing requirements. The City Council has stated its intention to prioritize senior housing at the MLK Park Property site.

Q: Why place Measures J and K on the ballot now?

A: The deadline to complete rezoning under state law is January 30, 2026, and this requires a special election in 2025. On August 5, 2025, the Sausalito City Council placed Measures J and K on a November Special Election Ballot for voter consideration.

Q: Must both measures be passed for Sausalito to remain compliant with State Housing Element Law?

A: Yes. Both measures are part of the City’s program of rezoning in its adopted housing element. If both measures do not pass, the state Department of Housing and Community Development could determine that the City failed to complete the entire program of rezoning as identified in the housing element, and rescind its determination that the City is in compliance with state Housing Element Law. Because of environmental review requirements, review and adoption of any alternate sites could take many months to complete review.

Q: Is it true that (I read recently that) other sites like Marinship could be used to satisfy requirements in Measures J and/or K?

A: Because most Marinship parcels are privately owned, and face significant constraints such as sea level rise, contamination, and ongoing industrial and maritime operations, the City chose to limit residential development there. These challenges do not apply to the MLK Park property, making it a more practical location for meeting State housing mandates. That said, the City did work to include 8 Marinship parcels in Prop J within those constraints.

Program 8 of the City’s adopted housing element requires the development of affordable housing on specified City-owned sites, which the City cannot complete without the passage of Measure K.

Q. How would restrictions be impacted by the passage or failure of Measure K?

A: Current height restrictions that are currently in place (32 feet) will remain in place. The City’s impartial analysis states:

“The Measure would authorize the City to develop a maximum of 50 housing units, at a density of 20-29 dwelling units/acre, subject to a 32: foot height limit and any additional zoning standards adopted by the City Council for the H-29 overlay zone.  Park recreational facilities would not be affected.”

Any modification to the height limit or density standards in Measure K would require additional voter approval. 

Q: Could State law override local control of housing if both Measures J and K do not pass?

A: Yes. Measures J and K are part of the City’s identified program of rezoning in its housing element. If both measures do not pass, state law could override existing City height limits and zoning restrictions for residential neighborhoods citywide, and a developer would be able to build to whatever height they want in other parts of the city (within the constraints of state, not local, housing laws), which could have an even bigger impact on the city’s character.

Q: Would there be financial impacts if Measures J and K do not pass?

A: Yes. If a court finds Sausalito out of compliance with State Housing Element Law, the City could face fines of up to $100,000 per month for non-compliance after the first year, and fines could rise as high as $600,000 per month. Additionally, private development interests and housing advocacy groups could sue the city to require the City to comply with state law, and the City may be required to pay their attorneys’ fees as well as costs of its own legal defense. These costs would be paid from Sausalito’s General Fund, and could lead to cuts in essential City services, including emergency response, parks and recreation, and infrastructure, among others.

Q: How do Measures J and K address the need for housing at various income levels?

A: California law requires that the each jurisdiction’s housing element plans for housing to be built at various income categories, including affordable housing.  In Housing Element Law, increased densities are assumed to result in higher levels of affordability.

As has been reported, housing in California cities is increasingly unaffordable, impacting young families, seniors, and middle-income workers. Measures J and K were placed on the ballot to increase zoning capacity in the city for multifamily housing, in locations throughout the city, which should increase housing supply for families, young people, seniors, and essential workers like nurses, teachers, and retail store employees. Additionally, Measure K will allow the city to develop its own affordable housing project on city-owned property if passed by voters.

Q: Was the community consulted before placing Measures J and K on the ballot?

A: Yes. Over 800 Sausalito residents answered our surveys online, via phone, at City-sponsored meetings, or provided public comment at Planning Commission and City Council meetings. This significant public comment resulted in the following changes to the Amended Housing Element, as well as Measures J and K:

Measure J:

• Only specified sites included (12)
• Portions of sites impacted reduced:
  • Site 301 (land only)
  • Site 303 (3-acres)
  • Site 402 (1-acre)

Measure K:

• Portion of site impacted reduced (2 acres)
• Maximum of 50 housing units (from 80 units)
• Current uses of the park will be maintained: existing dog park, recreational facilities, and school
• Any building will be subject to existing 32-foot height limit

Additionally, if approved by Sausalito voters, the passage of Measures J and K  would help the City avoid the “Builder’s Remedy” provisions in state law, and thus further priorities identified by the community such as:  

• Preserving Sausalito’s historic community character
• Protecting local control over Sausalito zoning and land use
• Maintaining park, parking, and school uses at the MLK Park property
• Maintaining existing building height limits

Q: How can I get more information about Measures J and K and the Special Municipal Election?

A: For more information on Measures J and K, visit www.sausalito.gov/housingmeasures. For information on voting visit www.sausalito.gov/city-government/local-elections.