Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

RandySF

(86,713 posts)
Thu May 28, 2026, 06:13 PM Thursday

Bitter ballot fight brewing over vacant homes in major California city

One of California’s largest cities will decide next week on whether to tax property owners annually for homes left vacant more than half the year.

San Diego residents will vote on Measure A next week, a controversial tax that would charge homeowners if their properties are vacant for more than 182 days a year. If passed, it would go into effect in 2027 and charge up to $8,000 the first year and $10,000 the next, with additional fees for commercial property owners. All the revenue would go into the city’s general fund.

It could amount to 5,140 homes that qualify for the tax, the measure says, resulting in about $24 million generated each year.

San Diego has been hit hard by a housing shortage in the past decade, while home prices nearly doubled. Backers say the measure would help return some of these vacant homes to the market.




https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/san-diego-vacant-home-tax-22281080.php

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Bitter ballot fight brewing over vacant homes in major California city (Original Post) RandySF Thursday OP
I think the revenue should go into a specific fund for the homeless. dickthegrouch Thursday #1
Do squatters count? MichMan Thursday #2
People from California KT2000 Thursday #3
I wonder how "vacant" is defined... Mark.b2 Thursday #4

dickthegrouch

(4,691 posts)
1. I think the revenue should go into a specific fund for the homeless.
Thu May 28, 2026, 06:35 PM
Thursday

The revenue projections for the city would go down, when fewer homes are vacant for long periods.
If the landlords and sellers would just give up on egregious profit, and the mortgage rates went down to prevent the banks from extracting egregious interest profits, everyone would be better able to sell and or rent.
Solves the problem of unaffordable homes, and vacancies in one fell swoop IF they wanted to.
The city is just trying to force that to happen, which I actually applaud.

KT2000

(22,237 posts)
3. People from California
Thu May 28, 2026, 06:52 PM
Thursday

come to Washington for the summer. We do not have income tax here. One man told me they time their move to get out of paying certain taxes in California because over a certain number of days vacant, they are excused from some taxes. We have a lot of emoty houses for half the year. It is sickening.

Mark.b2

(828 posts)
4. I wonder how "vacant" is defined...
Thu May 28, 2026, 09:23 PM
Thursday

It’s unclear to me from reading the article. If a person travels a lot or maybe has a second home and is otherwise not “at home” in San Diego more than 182 days, they would be subject to the penalty?

To me, “vacant” would be no furniture or anything in the house, no utilities turned on, etc.

If I’m maintaining the property, paying property taxes, not letting mail pile up, etc. I don’t see how it’s anyone’s business.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»California»Bitter ballot fight brewi...