San Diego, California's second-largest city and home to over 1.4 million residents in San Diego County, has no local rent control ordinance — renters rely solely on California's AB 1482 statewide tenant protections.·Updated May 2026
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Key Takeaways
Most multi-family units with a certificate of occupancy issued before 2011 (rolling 15-year rule); single-family homes and condos are exempt under Costa-Hawkins
5% + San Diego Metro CPI, capped at 10% per year; approximately 8.8% for 2025
AB 1482 requires just cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy — both at-fault and no-fault categories apply
San Diego sits at the southwestern corner of the continental United States, stretching from the Pacific coast to inland canyons and suburbs across San Diego County. With a population exceeding 1.4 million, it is California's second-largest city and one of the most expensive rental markets in the state. Renters make up roughly 47% of San Diego households, concentrated in neighborhoods like North Park, City Heights, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, and Logan Heights, where median rents for a two-bedroom apartment regularly exceed $2,500 per month.
Despite repeated efforts by tenant advocates to pass a local rent stabilization ordinance, San Diego has no city-level rent control law. Instead, renters are protected exclusively by California's statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019, commonly known as AB 1482. This law caps annual rent increases for qualifying units and requires landlords to show just cause before evicting a tenant who has lived in the unit for at least 12 months.
This article explains which San Diego rental units fall under AB 1482, how the rent cap is calculated using the San Diego Metro Consumer Price Index, what eviction protections exist, and where San Diego renters can turn for legal help.
2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in San Diego?
AB 1482 applies to residential rental units in San Diego where the certificate of occupancy was issued at least 15 years ago. Because the rule rolls forward with each calendar year, units that were covered as of 2026 are generally those built before 2011. If your building was constructed in 2011 or later, it is not covered by AB 1482's rent cap or just-cause eviction requirements.
Even for older buildings, a number of unit types are explicitly exempt from AB 1482:
Single-family homes and condominiums — Exempt under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code §§ 1954.50–1954.535), provided the landlord has served a written exemption notice. This covers a large share of San Diego's rental stock given the prevalence of condo conversions in neighborhoods like Bankers Hill and Mission Hills.
Units built within the last 15 years — Any unit with a certificate of occupancy issued after 2010 (as of 2026) is not covered.
Owner-occupied duplexes — If the landlord lives in one unit of a two-unit property, the tenant's unit is exempt.
Corporate-owned single-family homes — Single-family homes owned by corporations, real estate investment trusts (REITs), or LLCs where a member is a corporation are not exempt and may be covered by AB 1482.
Government-subsidized affordable housing — Units in affordable housing programs with their own rent restrictions (such as Section 8 project-based housing) operate under separate regulatory frameworks.
Transient and hotel occupancy — Short-term rentals, hotels, and similar transient lodging are not covered.
If you are unsure whether your San Diego unit qualifies, use RentCheckMe's address lookup tool or contact a local legal aid organization for a free assessment.
3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases
For San Diego rental units covered by AB 1482, the maximum allowable rent increase in any 12-month period is 5% plus the percentage change in the San Diego-Carlsbad Metropolitan Statistical Area Consumer Price Index (CPI), with an absolute ceiling of 10%. The relevant CPI figure is the April-to-April change published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the San Diego-Carlsbad metro area.
For 2025, the San Diego Metro CPI increase is approximately 3.8%, making the maximum allowable increase roughly 8.8% (5% + 3.8%). This figure adjusts each year based on the published CPI data, so tenants and landlords should verify the current cap using the California Department of Housing & Community Development's published guidelines or by contacting a legal aid organization.
Additional rules govern how and when rent increases may be applied:
12-month waiting period: A landlord cannot raise rent under AB 1482 until a tenant has resided in the unit for at least 12 months. After that, no more than two rent increases may occur in any 12-month period, and the combined total cannot exceed the annual cap.
No banking of unused increases: Landlords cannot save or accumulate unused portions of the annual cap from prior years and apply them in a future year. Each year's cap is a ceiling, not a credit.
Proper notice required: Increases of 10% or less require at least 30 days' written notice. Any increase greater than 10% — which would be unlawful under AB 1482 for covered units — would require 90 days' notice under general California law.
If your landlord raises your rent above the AB 1482 cap, the excess amount is not legally owed. Document all rent increase notices in writing and consult Legal Aid Society of San Diego or the Tenant Rights Center if you believe your landlord has exceeded the allowable limit.
4. Just Cause Eviction Protections
AB 1482 prohibits landlords from evicting a tenant who has occupied a covered unit for 12 months or more without a legally recognized reason — known as just cause. San Diego has no local eviction ordinance that adds to or modifies these state rules, so AB 1482 is the only just-cause protection available.
At-fault just cause reasons (tenant is responsible):
Nonpayment of rent
Material breach of the lease after written notice and failure to cure
Maintaining, committing, or permitting a nuisance on the property
Committing waste (damage) to the unit
Criminal activity on the premises or directed at the landlord or other tenants
Unauthorized subletting or assignment of the lease
Refusal to execute a new lease with materially similar terms after the prior lease expires
Failure to vacate after providing written notice of intent to terminate tenancy
No-fault just cause reasons (tenant is not at fault):
Owner move-in: The owner or a qualifying family member intends to occupy the unit as their primary residence
Ellis Act withdrawal: The landlord is removing all units in the building from the rental market
Substantial remodel: The landlord must perform work that cannot safely be done with the tenant in occupancy and requires a permit
Demolition: The building will be demolished
Relocation assistance: When a tenant is evicted for a no-fault reason under AB 1482, the landlord must provide relocation assistance equal to one month's rent, or waive the last month's rent entirely. This protection applies only to covered units. Tenants should request this assistance in writing and keep records of all correspondence.
5. Local Rules and Special Protections
San Diego does not have a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The San Diego City Council considered tenant protection measures in 2020 and 2021, but no binding local rent ordinance was enacted. As a result, renters in San Diego have no city-administered rent board, no local rent registry, and no municipal just-cause eviction ordinance beyond what state law provides.
A key reason no California city can fully replicate older rent control models is the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code §§ 1954.50–1954.535), a 1995 state law that prohibits local jurisdictions from imposing rent caps on units built after February 1, 1995, on single-family homes, or on condominiums. Even if San Diego passed a local ordinance tomorrow, Costa-Hawkins would limit its reach significantly — leaving the majority of San Diego's newer rental stock unprotected at the local level.
For practical purposes, this means San Diego renters must self-enforce AB 1482 protections. There is no local agency to call about an illegal rent increase. If your landlord exceeds the AB 1482 cap or attempts an unlawful eviction, your options are to send a written dispute to your landlord, file a complaint in Small Claims Court (for overcharges up to $12,500), or seek free assistance from one of San Diego's legal aid organizations.
The City of San Diego does operate the San Diego Housing Commission, which administers the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and some rental assistance programs. While the Commission does not enforce AB 1482, it can be a starting point for renters facing housing instability. The San Diego County Housing Authority also administers federally funded rental programs for unincorporated areas of the county.
6. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources
Start by using RentCheckMe's free address lookup tool to check whether your specific San Diego unit is likely covered by AB 1482. Enter your address to see the estimated year of construction and an initial assessment of coverage — then confirm with a legal professional.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD) — Free civil legal services for low-income San Diego County residents, including eviction defense and landlord-tenant disputes.
Tenant Rights Center San Diego — Provides tenant education, counseling, and referrals specifically focused on San Diego renters' rights under AB 1482 and state law.
San Diego Housing Commission — Administers Section 8 vouchers and emergency rental assistance programs for eligible San Diego residents.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization; publishes plain-language guides on AB 1482 and connects renters to local tenant groups.
Housing Is Key — California's statewide housing assistance hotline: 833-430-2122. Provides information on renter protections, rental assistance, and eviction resources.
7. Resources for San Diego Tenants
Legal Aid Society of San Diego — Free civil legal services for low-income San Diego County residents, including landlord-tenant disputes and eviction defense.
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program — Connects qualified low-income San Diego residents with pro bono attorneys for eviction defense and tenant rights matters.
Tenant Rights Center San Diego — Tenant education, counseling, and referrals focused on San Diego renters' rights under California law including AB 1482.
San Diego Housing Commission — Administers the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and emergency rental assistance for eligible San Diego residents.
Housing Is Key — California's statewide housing assistance program and hotline (833-430-2122) for renters facing eviction or seeking rental assistance.
8. Important Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant protection laws, CPI figures, and local policies change frequently — always verify current rules with a licensed California attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of this content. If you are facing eviction or believe your landlord has violated your rights, contact Legal Aid Society of San Diego or another qualified legal professional immediately.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
No. San Diego does not have a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Renters in San Diego are protected solely by California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which caps annual rent increases and requires just cause for eviction in qualifying units. The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act also limits what any California city can do at the local level, preventing rent caps on single-family homes, condos, and units built after February 1, 1995.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in San Diego?
If your unit is covered by AB 1482, your landlord can raise your rent by no more than 5% plus the San Diego-Carlsbad Metro CPI, with an absolute maximum of 10% per year. For 2025, that works out to approximately 8.8%. Your landlord cannot raise rent at all until you have lived in the unit for 12 months, and unused increases cannot be banked and applied in a future year.
Does AB 1482 apply to my rental in San Diego?
AB 1482 applies to most San Diego multi-family rental units where the certificate of occupancy was issued before 2011 (the 15-year rolling rule as of 2026). However, single-family homes, condominiums, units built in the last 15 years, and owner-occupied duplexes are exempt. Use RentCheckMe's address lookup at rentcheckme.com for a quick initial check, and confirm with Legal Aid Society of San Diego if you are uncertain.
Can my landlord evict me without cause in San Diego?
If you have lived in a covered unit for 12 months or more, AB 1482 requires your landlord to have a legally recognized just cause reason to evict you — either an at-fault reason (like nonpayment of rent or lease violation) or a no-fault reason (like owner move-in or Ellis Act withdrawal). For no-fault evictions, the landlord must also pay you one month's rent as relocation assistance. San Diego has no additional local eviction protections beyond what AB 1482 provides.
Where can I get help with a rent dispute in San Diego?
The Legal Aid Society of San Diego (lassd.org) and the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (sdvlp.org) both offer free or low-cost assistance to income-qualifying renters facing rent overcharges or eviction. The Tenant Rights Center San Diego (tenantrightscenter.org) provides counseling and referrals. You can also call the statewide Housing Is Key hotline at 833-430-2122 for guidance on your options.
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