Ballot measures

What’s on your 2026 ballot

The Burbank City Council placed three measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot: one on City services funding and two on how City Council members are elected. Each is explained below in plain language, with official sources.

On the November 3, 2026 ballot

City Services Measure

In plain termsA vote on whether to raise the hotel guest tax from 10% to 12%.

What it would do

Would increase the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (the tax paid by hotel and motel guests) from 10% to 12%.

Estimated revenue~$3 million/year

More detail

The City estimates it would raise about $3 million a year in locally controlled funding for services such as public safety, 9-1-1 response, disaster preparedness, parks, libraries, and streets. The City notes the hotel tax has not changed since 1983.

Source City of Burbank, “City of Burbank Announces Three Local Ballot Measures” (July 22, 2026)

On the November 3, 2026 ballot

Charter Amendment Measure

In plain termsA vote on whether to update the City Charter for future flexibility.

What it would do

Would update the City Charter to give the Council and voters flexibility to respond to future changes in state law, election requirements, or court decisions.

NoteEnables the district-elections measure

More detail

The City says this could help it adapt to changing legal requirements and reduce the risk of costly litigation.

Source City of Burbank, “Three Local Ballot Measures” announcement (July 22, 2026)

These two measures are linked. The City says the by-district elections measure cannot take effect unless voters also approve the Charter Amendment measure.

On the November 3, 2026 ballot

By-District Council Elections Measure

In plain termsA vote on whether to elect City Council members by district instead of citywide.

What it would do

Asks whether Burbank should move from at-large elections to by-district City Council elections for the 2028 and 2030 elections.

Depends onRequires the Charter Amendment to also pass

More detail

Because the City says it cannot implement by-district elections without the Charter Amendment, this measure cannot take effect unless voters also approve the Charter Amendment Measure.

Source City of Burbank, “Three Local Ballot Measures” announcement (July 22, 2026)

How we present measures

Neutral information only

Burbank Votes explains what each measure would do, using the City’s own official descriptions. We do not tell you how to vote, and we take no position for or against any measure. When the County publishes ballot letters, full text, and impartial analyses, we will add them here with sources.