San Diego County faces one of the most severe housing crises in California. Skyrocketing rents, rising homelessness, and a lack of affordable housing have made it difficult for many families to stay in the region. As one of the most desirable places to live, San Diego’s appeal comes at the cost of high living expenses. For that reason, rent control in San Diego 2025 has become an essential policy tool to balance tenant protections with landlord rights.
Rent control policies aim to stabilize rents by capping annual increases and limiting arbitrary evictions. While they offer relief to tenants, these measures are often controversial and spark debate among policymakers, landlords, and renters. This article explores the evolution of rent control in San Diego, the key laws shaping housing policy, and the impact on both tenants and landlords.
Historical Background of Rent Control in San Diego
Statewide Rent Control: AB 1482
In October 2019, California passed the Tenant Protection Act, known as AB 1482. This landmark law capped annual rent increases at 5% plus the local inflation rate, not exceeding 10%. The law applied to most properties built more than 15 years ago, which includes a significant share of San Diego’s apartments built in the 1970s and 1980s.
Exemptions were carved out for newly constructed housing, single-family homes owned by small landlords, and certain affordable housing units. While AB 1482 provided a safety net, it still left many renters unprotected.
Tenant rights groups pushed hard for AB 1482, emphasizing the urgent need to rein in rent hikes. As a result, the law reshaped California’s rental landscape and set the foundation for rent control in San Diego 2025.
Local Protections Before AB 1482
San Diego’s first major local measure was the Tenants’ Right to Know Ordinance of 2004. This ordinance required landlords to inform tenants about lease terms and rent increases but did little to actually restrict rental costs. As housing costs continued to soar, especially in 2018 when average rents jumped by more than 5%, community advocates demanded stronger tenant protections.
Current Rent Control in San Diego 2025
Key Provisions Under AB 1482
For the 2024–2025 period, the state capped rent increases at 8.6%, down from the 10% allowed the prior year. This adjustment reflects lower inflation but still impacts landlords’ income strategies.
The law provides:
- Annual rent increase limits.
- Just cause eviction protections after 12 months of tenancy.
- Relocation assistance for tenants in no-fault eviction cases.
Despite these protections, new housing, owner-occupied duplexes, and certain affordable units remain exempt. This creates a mixed landscape where some renters benefit while others face market-rate hikes.
San Diego’s Tenant Protection Ordinance (2023)
In May 2023, San Diego strengthened local protections with the Tenant Protection Ordinance. This law expanded AB 1482 by ensuring tenants were covered from the very first day of their lease.
Highlights include:
- Immediate tenant protections from move-in.
- Financial relocation assistance for no-fault evictions.
- Stronger landlord accountability, including clear documentation for evictions and rent increases.
This shift showed the city’s commitment to tackling displacement in one of California’s most expensive markets.
Exemptions and Loopholes
Even with AB 1482 and the Tenant Protection Ordinance, certain properties remain exempt:
- New construction within the last 15 years.
- Affordable housing units tied to government subsidy programs.
- Owner-occupied multi-unit properties.
Corporate landlords and Section 8 housing add further complexity. Larger real estate investment trusts (REITs) may skirt compliance, and voucher holders often struggle with enforcement gaps. These issues highlight the need for stronger oversight.
How Rent Control in San Diego 2025 Affects Tenants and Landlords
Tenant Benefits
- Protection from rent spikes: Families on fixed incomes can plan their budgets knowing their rent cannot rise beyond the legal cap.
- Fewer no-fault evictions: Relocation assistance gives tenants stability and reduces the risk of sudden homelessness.
- Housing security: Children and families benefit from continuity in their schools and communities.
Landlord Challenges
- Profitability concerns: Limits on rent increases may not always cover rising property taxes and maintenance.
- Administrative complexity: Landlords must carefully document notices, timelines, and eviction justifications.
- Market stability benefits: On the positive side, tenant retention lowers turnover costs and provides steady income.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Rent Control in San Diego
Proposition 33 and Beyond
The 2024 ballot measure Proposition 33 sought to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Act, which currently restricts local governments from applying rent control to newer buildings and single-family homes. If passed, San Diego could gain authority to adopt stricter local laws, potentially reshaping the rental landscape in 2025 and beyond.
Ongoing Rent Cap Adjustments
As inflation fluctuates, state regulators continue adjusting the rent cap. Staying informed about these annual updates is crucial for both landlords and tenants.
Criticisms and Advocacy
Landlords argue rent control discourages investment and could reduce the supply of rental housing. They warn that overregulation might make San Diego’s housing shortage worse.
Tenant advocates, on the other hand, push for stronger enforcement and protections for vulnerable groups. They highlight discrimination against voucher holders and low-income renters, stressing the need for more equitable housing laws.
Conclusion
The evolution of rent control in San Diego during the housing crisis reflects the city’s struggle to balance affordability with growth. With laws like AB 1482 and the Tenant Protection Ordinance, San Diego has taken steps to protect tenants, but challenges remain. Future policies will likely determine how effective rent control remains as both a safety net and a housing market stabilizer.
For landlords, staying compliant with rent control in San Diego 2025 is critical to avoiding legal disputes. For tenants, knowing their rights is key to maintaining stability. Policymakers must strike a balance that protects residents without discouraging much-needed housing development.
