In San Diego County the statewide rent cap is 8.2% for increases starting Aug. 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. The Attorney General’s chart lists no city or county rent-increase cap in San Diego County. We show 1 active order in our data as of Nov 13, 2026 (Tropical Storm Rachel, through Nov 14, 2026, unless extended). Always check your city’s rules too: check your local rent rules and ordinance before you raise rent or serve a notice.
| Statewide cap (AB 1482) | 8.2% for increases starting 8/1/26–7/31/27 (San Diego area; see the AG chart) |
|---|---|
| Local rent caps listed by the AG | None listed |
| Emergency rent-cap orders | 1 active order in our data as of Nov 13, 2026 (Tropical Storm Rachel, through Nov 14, 2026, unless extended) (see below) |
| Superior Court | Superior Court of California, County of San Diego |
Local rent control and just-cause rules
The Attorney General’s local chart has no entry for any city or the county government in San Diego County. That does not mean there are no local tenant rules: cities can have just-cause, relocation, registry or other protections that the chart does not list.
City of San Diego tenant protections
The City of San Diego has its own Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance. According to the San Diego Housing Commission, the City Council adopted it as Ordinance O-21647 on May 16, 2023, it took effect June 24, 2023, and it is now San Diego Municipal Code sections 98.0701 through 98.0709. The Municipal Code division’s stated purpose is to promote stability in the rental market by requiring just cause for termination consistent with Civil Code § 1946.2, limiting the grounds for termination, requiring greater relocation assistance in specified circumstances, and providing additional tenant protections.
- Read the ordinance text: San Diego Municipal Code, Chapter 9, Article 8, Division 7 (City Clerk PDF; the PDF is dated March 2024, so check for later amendments).
- The Housing Commission publishes a Tenant Protection Guide and FAQs in several languages.
- Termination notice registry. Once the Housing Commission creates its online Tenant Termination Notice Registry, the ordinance will require landlords to inform the Commission within three business days of issuing a termination notice; the requirement does not take effect until 30 days after the portal is created and announced. As of Nov 13, 2026 the Commission’s page says landlords are not yet required to report. Watch that page.
- Source-of-income protection. The City also has a source-of-income anti-discrimination ordinance. The Housing Commission’s page lists the prohibited actions, such as refusing to rent, interrupting or terminating a tenancy, or advertising that tenants will be excluded, based on a tenant’s source of income.
Other cities in San Diego County
San Diego County has 18 incorporated cities, and each has its own page: Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista. We have verified the rules of the City of San Diego, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Lemon Grove from official pages, and the Oceanside council’s 2025 vote on a tenant ordinance from local news; for the others the page says what the Attorney General’s chart does and does not cover. Check your city’s municipal code and housing or code-enforcement office for local just-cause, relocation, registry or notice rules before you serve a notice.
The county’s emergency ordinance applies countywide
The County of San Diego’s emergency ordinance (County Code § 31.502(a)(7)) limits rent increases to 10% for 30 days after a local emergency is proclaimed, and we treat it as applying throughout the county, including inside cities, unless an official source says otherwise. The most recent proclamation (El Niño, Sept. 30, 2026) is listed above and is shown as ended, because we found no extension. The conservative approach is to check the County Office of Emergency Services and AlertSanDiego before any rent increase.
Emergency orders affecting San Diego County
Orders below come from the emergency order tracker, last verified Nov 13, 2026.
Tropical Storm Rachel — Governor's state of emergency
- Type
- State of emergency (Penal Code § 396)
- Where
- Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego (whole counties)
- Proclaimed
- Oct 15, 2026
- Rent cap period
- Oct 15, 2026 to Nov 14, 2026
- Cap
- 10% over the pre-proclamation rent; units not rented in the prior year: 160% of HUD fair market rent
- Authority
- Penal Code § 396(e) and (f) (rental housing); proclamation of Oct. 15, 2026
What it means: Under current Penal Code 396(e), the cap covers rental housing with an initial lease term of one year or less (month-to-month included). It does not authorize rent above a stricter local rent-control limit. SB 1365 (2026), effective Jan. 1, 2027, expands the definition of housing to all rental housing regardless of initial lease term for emergencies after that date.
How the end date was determined: Cal OES's price-gouging page, checked Nov. 13, 2026, lists the rental-housing protections (Penal Code 396(e),(f)) through 11/14/2026. No extension had been announced as of Nov. 13, 2026. Protections can be extended (Pen. Code 396(g)); if they are, this end date will change.
- Penal Code 396(e) bars increasing the rental price "advertised, offered, or charged" during the period. The statute does not say how it treats a notice served during the period for an increase that takes effect after it ends, so the wizard answers conservatively (it applies the cap) and recommends consulting an attorney.
- Protections can be extended (Pen. Code 396(g)). As of Nov. 13, 2026, Cal OES lists 11/14/2026 as the end date for rental housing and no extension had been announced; check the Cal OES page for any later change.
Last verified Nov 13, 2026.
San Diego County — El Niño local emergency (County Code § 31.502)
- Type
- County ordinance
- Where
- San Diego (whole counties)
- Proclaimed
- Sep 30, 2026
- Rent cap period
- Sep 30, 2026 to Oct 30, 2026
- Cap
- 10% over the pre-proclamation rent; units not rented in the prior year: 160% of HUD fair market rent
- Authority
- San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances § 31.502(a)(7) — 10% cap on rent increases for 30 days after a proclamation; 160% HUD fair market rent for units not rented or advertised in the prior year
What it means: The ordinance text has no initial-lease-term limit. The Governor's statewide El Niño proclamation (Sept. 21, 2026) suspended Penal Code 396 for that event, but not this local ordinance.
How the end date was determined: County Code 31.502(a)(7): 30 days following the proclamation (Sept. 30, 2026). Extensions require a Board of Supervisors resolution (31.502(d)); none found as of Nov. 13, 2026. The Board's Nov. 17, 2026 agenda lists a review of the El Niño emergency proclamation.
- The end date is the 30th day after the proclamation, as County Code 31.502(a)(7) provides. The Board of Supervisors may extend by resolution for additional 30-day periods (31.502(d)); check the County's emergency page for any extension.
- The ordinance's definitions refer to the unincorporated area so whether it reaches incorporated cities is a legal question. The wizard applies the order county-wide to be conservative; consult an attorney or your city.
Last verified Nov 13, 2026.
Statewide El Niño proclamation — Penal Code 396 suspended
- Type
- State proclamation (Penal Code § 396 suspended)
- Where
- Statewide
- Proclaimed
- Sep 21, 2026
- Rent cap period
- None imposed by this proclamation
- Authority
- Proclamation of Sept. 21, 2026, ¶ 18: Penal Code 396 restrictions "are suspended, and no such restrictions are imposed, with respect to this El Niño event, at this time."
What it means: Listed for information. This proclamation alone does not impose the 10% emergency rent cap.
How the end date was determined: Open-ended; the Governor could later lift the suspension ("at this time").
- The suspension applies only to the statewide El Niño proclamation, and only "at this time." Local emergency declarations can trigger their own price-gouging rules.
Last verified Nov 13, 2026.
Courts and self-help
Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
Local court rules, filing information and forms.
California Courts Self-Help: landlord eviction information
Statewide guides and forms for landlords and tenants.
Unlawful detainer (eviction) information line listed by the San Diego Housing Commission: (619) 450-7275. Walk-in landlord-tenant clinics are held at the Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, Monday–Friday except court holidays (hours per the Housing Commission’s page).
Housing agencies
San Diego Housing Commission (City of San Diego)
Runs the City’s Tenant Protection Guide and rental assistance programs.
County of San Diego Housing and Community Development Services
County housing and community development programs.
Assessor, recorder and county clerk
Assessor / Recorder / County Clerk (ARCC)
Assessor’s office (BOE county directory phone listed)
(619) 236-3771
Assessor phone numbers come from the State Board of Equalization county directory.
Code enforcement
More local resources
County Office of Emergency Services
Emergency proclamations and preparedness.
AlertSanDiego
Alerts and emergency information, including county proclamations.
2-1-1 San Diego
Referral line for community services.
Utilities and services
Our San Diego County utility directory covers electric and gas (SDG&E), water districts, trash haulers, sewer and internet providers, with official websites and public phone numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum rent increase in San Diego County?
The statewide cap is 5% plus the change in the cost of living, up to 10%. For increases starting between Aug. 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027, the Attorney General lists 8.2% for the San Diego area. This applies to most rental housing more than 15 years old. Check your city for stricter local rules. Use the rent increase wizard for your date and exemptions.
Does San Diego County have rent control?
The Attorney General’s chart lists no rent-increase caps by any city or the county government in this county, but cities can have other tenant protections. Check your city.
Is there an emergency rent cap in San Diego County right now?
As of Nov 13, 2026, yes: Tropical Storm Rachel, through Nov 14, 2026, unless extended. Check the cards on this page and the official sources for any extension or new order before you raise rent.
Where do I find court forms for an eviction in San Diego County?
Start with the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego website and the Judicial Council’s landlord self-help pages. Only a court can order an eviction.
Sources
- California Attorney General: Limits on Rent Increases
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
- California State Board of Equalization: county assessors, auditors and clerk-recorders
- Cal OES: price gouging protections in place
- 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.