Rental Property Rules in San Diego County, CA (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Diego County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Rent Control

California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) limits annual rent increases to 5% plus local CPI or 10%, whichever is less, for covered properties in unincorporated San Diego County. The County itself has not enacted additional rent control beyond state law.

San Diego County Rent Control Protections

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code § 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019 — annual rent increase cap of 5% plus CPI, max 10%)

rty [1940 - 1954.071] ( Chapter 2 enacted 1872. ) 1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwe...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Just Cause Eviction

Tenants in unincorporated San Diego County are protected by California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) which requires just cause for eviction after 12 months of occupancy. At-fault and no-fault just cause provisions apply. Relocation assistance required for no-fault evictions.

San Diego County Just Cause Eviction Protections

Significant Restrictions

California Civil Code § 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019 — just cause required to terminate tenancies)

rty [1940 - 1954.071] ( Chapter 2 enacted 1872. ) 1946.2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rental Registration

Unincorporated San Diego County does not currently require a rental property registration or licensing program. Landlords must comply with California state law requirements including habitability standards, security deposit rules, and AB 1482 disclosures.

San Diego County Rental Property Registration

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code § 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019 — annual rent increase cap of 5% plus CPI, max 10%)

rty [1940 - 1954.071] ( Chapter 2 enacted 1872. ) 1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwe...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Repairs & Habitability

Unincorporated San Diego County requires an annual Department of Environmental Health permit before any apartment house of three or more units, hotel of six or more rooms, or co-located rental unit can be occupied. The Director enforces state sanitation and ventilation law.

San Diego County Apartment & Hotel Health Permits

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Code §§ 66.901, 66.904

The Director of Environmental Health, in addition to their other duties, is hereby designated as the officer to enforce and is charged with the enforcement of the provisions of the State Housing Law pertaining to sanitation, ventilation, use or occupancy of apartment houses, dwellings and hotels within the unincorporated territory of the County. ... It shall be unlawful to occupy, or to permit ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗