Free San Diego Eviction & Tenancy Notice Forms

Partial. San Diego has a Tenant Protection Ordinance (SDMC Chapter 9, Article 8, Division 7) that expands and strengthens just cause protections beyond the state Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482).

San Diego does not have traditional rent control with annual increase caps beyond AB 1482's statewide cap.

City of San Diego Housing & Community Development →

• Just cause for eviction must be stated on the notice
• Notice must reference the San Diego Tenant Protection Ordinance (SDMC Chapter 9)
• Tenant relocation assistance is required for no-fault evictions
• Notice must comply with both state CCP §1161 and San Diego local requirements
• Notice must reference AB 1482 where applicable

Under City of San Diego - Housing & Community Development, San Diego requires just cause for any eviction of a covered tenant. The grounds fall into two categories:

Fault-based grounds — based on the tenant's conduct: non-payment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, illegal use, criminal activity on the premises, refusal to renew, refusal to allow lawful entry, or other tenant-caused grounds enumerated in the ordinance.

No-fault grounds — based on the landlord's circumstances: owner or qualifying family-member move-in, withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act), substantial remodel or demolition, or compliance with a government order. No-fault terminations require relocation assistance.

The exact list of grounds, the documentation required for each, and any city-specific cure periods are set by City of San Diego - Housing & Community Development and updated as the ordinance is amended. Always verify the current grounds with the agency before serving a notice.

City of San Diego Housing & Community Development — current just-cause grounds →

When a landlord serves a no-fault eviction in San Diego (owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from the rental market, demolition, or compliance with a government order), the local ordinance requires relocation assistance to be paid to the tenant.

Amounts typically vary by:

• Tenant category — standard tenants vs. senior (62+), disabled, low-income, or families with minor children (protected categories receive higher amounts)
• Unit size — studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom+
• Length of tenancy — long-term tenants are sometimes entitled to additional payments

City of San Diego - Housing & Community Development sets the current relocation schedule and updates it periodically (often annually, indexed to CPI). Timing of payment also varies by city — some require full payment at notice service, others split between service and vacancy. Confirm the current amounts and timing rules with the agency before serving a no-fault notice.

City of San Diego Housing & Community Development — current relocation schedule →