Boston City Council Passes Real Estate Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition 11 to 1

BOSTON — April 15, 2026 — Boston City Council advances real estate transfer fee Home Rule Petition 11 to 1 on One Boston Day. The council voted April 15 to send Docket 0163 to the State House, where it must clear a legislative hearing before July. The petition, led by Councillors Henry Santana and Ruthzee Louijeune and reported out by Government Operations Chair Gabriela Coletta Zapata, would authorize a fee of up to 2 percent on the portion of any real estate sale above $2 million, directing all proceeds to the Neighbourhood Housing Trust; analysis presented to the committee projected the fee could have generated roughly $180 million over four years. The senior tax relief component raises the base exemption from $500 to $1,500 and ties eligibility to 50 percent of area median income, targeting a population Coletta Zapata described as "house rich and cash poor." Councillor Edward M. Flynn cast the lone no vote, saying he does not support "another tax, especially during these challenging economic times." The council also voted unanimously to pass a $10,925,140 federal Counter Unmanned Aircraft System grant for the Boston Police Department ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though Councillor Louijeune voted present and demanded full compliance with the city's surveillance oversight ordinance before any technology is deployed.