The City of San Diego has its own Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance (just cause and relocation help). It has no separate city rent cap: the statewide AB 1482 cap applies unless a property is exempt. Check your local rent rules and the city’s ordinance before you raise rent or serve a notice.
Does San Diego have rent control?
The Attorney General’s chart of local rent-stabilization laws (read Nov 13, 2026) has no entry for San Diego. The statewide cap of 5% plus the regional CPI change, up to 10%, applies to rentals that are covered by AB 1482 (8.2% in the San Diego area for increases starting between Aug. 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027). The chart covers rent caps only; it does not cover just-cause, relocation, registry or other tenant rules, so check San Diego’s municipal code before you serve a notice.
What just-cause and tenant rules does San Diego have?
According to the San Diego Housing Commission, the City Council adopted the Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance as O-21647 on May 16, 2023; it took effect June 24, 2023 and is now San Diego Municipal Code sections 98.0701–98.0709. The code states its purpose as requiring just cause for termination consistent with Civ. Code § 1946.2, limiting the grounds for termination, requiring greater relocation assistance in specified circumstances and providing additional tenant protections.
- Read the Municipal Code division (City Clerk PDF, dated March 2024; later amendments may exist) and the adopting ordinance.
- The Housing Commission publishes a Tenant Protection Guide and FAQs.
- Termination-notice registry. Once the Commission creates its online registry, the ordinance requires landlords to tell the Commission within three business days of issuing a termination notice, starting 30 days after the portal is announced. As of Nov 13, 2026 the Commission’s page says landlords are not yet required to report.
- Source of income. The City also has a source-of-income anti-discrimination ordinance; the Commission’s page lists the prohibited actions.
Is there an emergency rent cap in San Diego right now?
The Governor’s Tropical Storm Rachel emergency (proclaimed Oct. 15, 2026) limits rent increases in San Diego County to 10% under Penal Code § 396 through Nov. 14, 2026, unless extended. It covers rental housing with an initial lease term of one year or less, including month-to-month tenancies (Cal OES price-gouging page). As of Nov 13, 2026, no extension had been announced. Check the emergency order tracker for the current status.
Where do I find San Diego’s official pages?
- San Diego official website: housing, code enforcement and the municipal code are linked from the city site.
- San Diego County: courts, housing agencies, assessor
- San Diego County utilities
- Rent increase wizard · Notice date calculator
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum rent increase in San Diego?
For most covered rentals the statewide cap is 5% plus the regional CPI change, up to 10% (8.2% in the San Diego area for increases starting 8/1/26–7/31/27). The Attorney General’s chart lists no local cap for San Diego. Use the rent increase wizard.
Do I need just cause to end a tenancy in San Diego?
For most tenancies of 12 months or more (or 24 months if all adult tenants have been there less than 12), state law requires a stated just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2). San Diego adds local rules, described in the section above.
Is there an emergency rent cap in San Diego now?
Possibly. Emergency price-gouging orders are county- or city-wide and change quickly. See the tracker.
Sources
- San Diego Housing Commission: tenant protections
- San Diego Municipal Code, Ch. 9, Art. 8, Div. 7 (City Clerk PDF)
- Ordinance O-21647 (City Clerk PDF)
- California Attorney General: Limits on Rent Increases (local chart)
- California Courts Self-Help: landlord eviction information
Local ordinances change often and this page may be out of date. Check the linked official sources, your city and, for decisions that matter, a qualified California attorney. Read the disclaimer.