Measures
2026 Burbank measures
Three city measures are on the November 3, 2026 ballot: the City Services Measure (a hotel and motel guest tax increase) and two Council election measures placed after the CVRA settlement. Ballot letters have not yet been assigned; the County will assign them before ballots are printed. Details below come from the City\u2019s official education pages, published July 2026.
On the ballot - letter not yet assignedCity of Burbank City Services Measure
Asks voters whether to raise Burbank's transient occupancy tax (hotel tax), paid only by hotel and motel guests, from 10% to 12%. Per the City, the increase is estimated to generate approximately $3 million annually, all of it staying in Burbank for local services, with required annual independent audits and public spending disclosures. The City states this would be the first adjustment to the hotel tax rate since 1983, and cites a projected $2.7 million gap between revenues and expenses in its budget planning. Written arguments are due August 14, 2026; rebuttals August 24, 2026.
Source: City of Burbank TOT Measure education page; City Clerk Notice to Voters (June 17, 2026)
On the ballot - letter not yet assignedCharter Amendment Measure
Would update the City Charter to allow flexibility in how City Council elections may be conducted in the future. Per the City, the measure would not automatically establish district elections; it would remove current Charter restrictions so the City could implement alternative election methods, respond to changes in state or federal law, and reduce the risk of future litigation. It was placed on the ballot as part of the 2026 settlement of a 2023 California Voting Rights Act lawsuit.
Source: City of Burbank Election Measures education page
On the ballot - letter not yet assignedBy-District Council Elections Measure (Districting Measure)
Asks voters whether Burbank should keep at-large City Council elections or transition to by-district elections using Map 130, which divides the city into five districts, each represented by one council member who lives in that district. If both this measure and the Charter Amendment Measure pass, district elections would begin with Districts 2 and 4 in November 2028 and Districts 1, 3, and 5 in 2030. This measure cannot take effect unless voters also approve the Charter Amendment Measure. It was placed on the ballot as part of the same 2026 CVRA settlement.
Source: City of Burbank Election Measures education page
Council election measures
What each combination of votes would mean
The two Council election measures work together. The City has published what happens under each outcome; the four possibilities are summarized below.
Both measures pass
Burbank transitions to by-district elections using Map 130, beginning with the November 2028 election and concluding in 2030 through staggered elections. After 2030, the updated Charter would allow the City to consider alternative election methods, such as returning to at-large elections or ranked choice voting.
Charter Amendment passes; Districting Measure does not
Voters continue electing council members who represent the entire city. The Council or voters would be able to implement alternative election methods in the future under the updated Charter.
Districting Measure passes; Charter Amendment does not
Burbank continues using its current at-large election system. The Districting Measure cannot go into effect without voter approval of the Charter Amendment Measure.
Both measures do not pass
Burbank continues using its at-large election system for City Council elections.
Source: City of Burbank Election Measures education page (BurbankCA.gov/Election-Measures)
Districting Measure
Map 130: the proposed district map
Official City document Map 130 is the proposed City Council district map that would be used if voters approve both Council election measures. It divides Burbank into five geographic districts, each represented by one council member who must live in the district they represent. Per the City, the map was developed through a public process in 2023 that included public hearings, community workshops, and public comment.
The official map is published by the City. We link to it directly rather than reproducing it, so you always see the exact adopted boundaries.
Source: City of Burbank Election Measures education page
Important noteNeutral information only
Implementation of by-district elections would require voter approval of both measures, according to the City announcement. This page should not advocate for or against either measure.
How measures are summarized → 