The City of San Diego (City) provides protections for residential tenants facing potential eviction. These protections include help to relocate to a different residence if a tenant is evicted, in certain circumstances. Strong protections for residential renters are intended to help prevent homelessness and to promote housing and neighborhood stability. City law includes these protections.
San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and Mayor Todd Gloria proposed the City of San Diego Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance. The San Diego City Council adopted the ordinance (No. O-21647) on May 16, 2023. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed the adopted ordinance on May 25, 2023. This City law went into effect on June 24, 2023. It is now San Diego Municipal Code sections 98.0701 through 98.0709.
Under this City law, the City of San Diego is responsible for oversight of the ordinance.
The ordinance requires the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) to create a Tenant Protection Guide. This guide provides educational information and resources to help residential tenants understand their rights under City and State law. It is for informational purposes only. The Tenant Protection Guide does not provide legal advice or direction. Residential renters and landlords should consult with their own, respective legal representatives or advisors.
This guide will be updated, as needed.
Resources
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Spanish)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Amharic)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Arabic)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Somali)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Tagalog)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Traditional Chinese)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Vietnamese)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Farsi)
- City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide (Korean)
- City of San Diego Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance
- City of San Diego Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance FAQs
- California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities
Resources for Tenants
This is not an endorsement or recommendation by the City or SDHC for any specific organization or organizations. Tenants should identify and choose their own legal assistance or legal representative. Resources are listed in alphabetical order.
- California Courts Self-Help Guide (for Tenants and Landlords)
- California Western Community Law Project
- Housing Justice Collaborative
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego
- Legal Services Clinics
Unlawful Detainer Clinic – Legal Aid Society of San Diego
San Diego County Superior Court, Hall of Justice
330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Walk-in Hours: Monday- Friday, except court holidays, 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
(877) 534-2524 (1-877 LEGAL AID)
Landlord-Tenant Dispute Clinic
San Diego County Superior Court, Hall of Justice
330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Walk-in Hours: Monday- Friday, except court holidays, 8:30 a.m.- noon - National Conflict Resolution Center
- San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
- SDG&E Utility Bill Payment Assistance
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
Unlawful Detainers: (619) 450-7275
Landlord/Tenant (Unlawful Detainer) Information - University of San Diego School of Law Legal Clinic
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Source of Income Protections for Housing Choice Voucher Holders
Resources for Landlords
This is not an endorsement or recommendation by the City or SDHC for any specific organization or organizations. Landlords should identify and choose their own legal assistance or legal representative. Resources are listed in alphabetical order.
- California Apartment Association
- California Courts Self-Help Guide (for Tenants and Landlords)
- California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities
- Housing is Key, Resources for Renters, Landlords and Homeowners
- National Conflict Resolution Center
- Southern California Rental Housing Association
City of San Diego Tenant Termination Notice Registry
The City of San Diego Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance requires landlords to inform the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) within three business days of issuing a notice to a residential tenant to terminate their tenancy. This requirement does not take effect until 30 days after SDHC creates an online portal to receive submissions and informs the public that the portal has been created.
The online portal will be known as the City of San Diego Tenant Termination Notice Registry.
Development of the Tenant Termination Notice Registry is pending further action from the San Diego City Council related to the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) ordinance. More information about the Tenant Termination Notice Registry and its implementation date will be added to this web page and announced at a future date.
City of San Diego Source-of-Income Anti-Discrimination Ordinance
Under the ordinance, landlords in the City of San Diego cannot decline a tenant based on the household receiving rental assistance from any federal, state, local or nonprofit-administered benefit or subsidy program.
However, landlords retain the rights and benefits available with SDHC’s rental assistance program, including consistent, on-time payments from SDHC through direct deposit and the ability to screen and select tenants based on valid criteria.
Under the ordinance, landlords with rental properties in the City of San Diego cannot take the following actions based on a tenant’s source of income:
- Advertise a tenant will be excluded from being qualified to rent
- Refuse to enter into or renew an agreement for tenancy
- Interrupt or terminate tenancy
- Falsely represent that a rental unit is unavailable, OR
- Restrict a tenant’s access to facilities or services on the property that is associated with the tenancy.
Resources
- City of San Diego Ordinance Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Tenant’s Source of Income
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego Source-of-Income Informational Brochure English / Spanish
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego Housing Discrimination Webpage
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Source of Income Protections for Housing Choice Voucher Holders
Protections for Licensed Child Care Providers
California State law provides protections for residential tenants who open or run licensed family child care in their rental home.
- Fact Sheet – California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
Fair Housing
SDHC is committed to affirmatively furthering fair housing by promoting fair and equal housing opportunities for all persons living in the City of San Diego.
Resources
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- California Civil Rights Department – Housing Discrimination
- Fair Housing Council of San Diego Website and Resources
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing and Related Laws
