Transient Occupancy Tax increase on November ballot
Summary
The council put a hotel tax increase on the November 3 ballot — from 12% to 15%. If it passes, the city gets roughly $5.7 million more a year for general services, and a study session in January 2027 would decide how to spend it. Hotel managers mostly supported it, asking the city to reinvest in the Bayfront corridor.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 6, 2026.
Impact analysis
Roughly $5.7 million per year in new revenue if voters approve it.
City services, streets, and public safety programs funded by the general fund — and hotels if some revenue is reinvested in the Bayfront.
Visitors and hotel guests, who pay the tax; some locals argue higher costs ripple into travel pricing.
Mentions & discussions (5)
City Council — October 6, 2026
All three candidates endorsed Measure D, raising the hotel tax from 12% to 15% on the November ballot — worth about $5.7–5.8 million a year to the general fund. It needs a two-thirds vote to pass.
City Council — July 6, 2026
The council put a hotel tax increase on the November 3 ballot — from 12% to 15%. If it passes, the city gets roughly $5.7 million more a year for general services, and a study session in January 2027 would decide how to spend it. Hotel managers mostly supported it, asking the city to reinvest in the Bayfront corridor.
City Council — June 15, 2026
A hotel tax increase from 12% to 15% would add about $5.7 million a year to help close projected budget gaps. Hoteliers haven't opposed it outright as long as Burlingame isn't the highest rate in the county, and voters decide in November.
City Council — February 2, 2026
The city quietly authorized a poll to test whether voters would support a hotel tax measure. Nothing is on the ballot yet — this is just research.
City Council — January 20, 2026
The council wants to ask voters in November 2026 to raise the hotel tax from 12% to as much as 15.5%, which could add $4–6.6 million a year to city coffers. Visitors and business travelers would pay it, not residents, and hoteliers in town are largely on board so long as the rate stays competitive with San Francisco and Palo Alto.
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