Solana Beach voters are poised to raise the city's hotel and lodging tax for the first time in 20 years.

Measure C held a commanding lead in initial returns posted Tuesday, Nov. 3, with 71.91% voting yes and 28.09% voting no, according to North County Pipeline, which compiled San Diego County Registrar of Voters data. The measure needed a simple majority to pass.

The results are preliminary. The registrar had counted just 37.7% of San Diego County ballots as of election night, with an estimated 540,000 ballots still outstanding countywide. The next ballot update was scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.

If the lead holds, the transient occupancy tax (TOT) will rise from 13% to 14% beginning Jan. 1, 2027, according to the city's proposed Ordinance 545. The tax applies to guests at hotels and short-term vacation rentals, not to residents.

The city estimates the increase will generate about $250,000 a year, according to Resolution 2026-100, which the Solana Beach City Council approved July 15 to place the measure on the ballot. Revenue would fund parks, beaches, trails, public restrooms, lifeguards and emergency medical equipment, the resolution states.

The council voted 4-0 to put Measure C before voters. Councilmembers Lesa Heebner, Jewel Edson, Kelly Zito and Kristi Becker voted yes. Councilmember Jill MacDonald was absent but submitted a letter supporting the measure, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

No argument against Measure C was filed by the Aug. 3 deadline, according to the city's election information page. A city survey had found that 71% of residents supported an increase, the Union-Tribune reported.

Two uncontested council seats filled

Becker, a retired lawyer, won a third term representing District 2 with 636 votes. Jenna Wolfe-Dellamano won her first term representing District 4 with 1,026 votes. Both ran unopposed.

Wolfe-Dellamano, whose ballot designation is business owner and director of a nonprofit, replaces MacDonald, who did not seek reelection. District 4 covers most of the city east of Interstate 5, the Union-Tribune reported in August.

The county has 30 days to certify the election.