San Diego Considers Tax on Vacant Homes to Address Housing Shortage

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:06:00 +0200

San Diego is preparing to vote in June on a proposed vacant home tax that could target roughly 5,000 empty properties across the city. The measure would impose an $8,000 annual tax on homes left unoccupied for more than 182 days in a year, increasing to $10,000 in the second year. Corporate owners of vacant homes would pay an additional $4,000. City officials estimate the tax could generate as much as $24 million in its first year, which would go toward affordable housing development. Advocates, including City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, argue that taxing vacant properties could nudge owners to open them up for rent or sale, helping ease the city’s housing crisis. San Diego faces intense affordability challenges, with average home prices near $1 million and one-bedroom rents exceeding $2,000. Similar taxes in Oakland and Berkeley have shown modest success, while San Francisco’s attempt was stalled by a lawsuit. Supporters call the measure a step toward addressing a shortage of affor