The "Empty Homes Tax" Is Coming to San Diego: Is Your Vacant Property About to Cost You $12,000+ a Year?
If you own a property in San Diego that sits empty for most of the year—whether it’s a fixer-upper you haven't started on, a house you inherited, or a second home that is currently unoccupied—the City of San Diego just put a target on your wallet.
In April 2026, the San Diego City Council voted 8-1 to send Measure A to the June ballot. If passed, this "Empty Homes Tax" will impose massive annual fees on residential properties that are vacant for more than 182 days a year.
Here is what San Diego property owners need to know and how to avoid getting stuck with a bill you can’t afford.
The True Cost of Holding a Vacant House in 2027
The proposed tax isn't just a "slap on the wrist"—it’s a major financial hit designed to force owners to either rent out their properties or sell them.
According to the current proposal:
Starting in 2027: You will owe a flat tax of $8,000 per vacant home.
Starting in 2028: The tax jumps to $10,000 per year.
The "Corporate" Penalty: If your property is held in an LLC or corporation (common for investors), you’ll face an additional surcharge of $4,000 to $5,000.
That means if you own a vacant fixer-upper under an LLC, you could be looking at a $12,000 to $15,000 tax bill on top of your existing property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.
Why This Hits "Fixer-Upper" Owners the Hardest
The city's goal is to increase housing supply, but for many owners in San Diego, "just renting it out" isn't an option.
The Repair Trap: If your house needs $50,000 in work (roof, plumbing, or mold), you can't legally rent it to a tenant. But under Measure A, you’ll still be taxed for it being empty while you try to find the money or contractors to fix it.
The "Inheritance" Headache: Did you inherit a family home that’s filled with old belongings? While you're spending months sorting through the estate, the city’s clock is ticking. If it stays empty for half the year, you owe the tax.
Short-Term Rental Changes: Even if you were planning to use the home as a vacation rental, new licensing requirements mean many properties will no longer qualify for exemptions, leaving them vulnerable to the new tax.
Don't Let Your Equity Get Eaten by New Taxes
The "Empty Homes Tax" is a clear signal: the city wants you to move your property, or they want a piece of your equity. If you have a property that is sitting empty because it needs too much work, or because you simply don't have the time to manage a rental, now is the time to sell.
Waiting until 2027 means you’ll be trying to sell at the same time as thousands of other owners who are also trying to escape the tax. This could lead to a "fire sale" environment that drives down your home's value.
Sell Your Vacant San Diego Home for Cash (Before the Tax Hits)
At Cash Buyers San Diego, we help homeowners avoid the headaches of new city regulations and "as-is" repair costs.
We Pay the Taxes: Once we buy your home, the vacancy tax becomes our problem, not yours.
No Repairs Needed: We buy houses in any condition. You don’t need to fix the roof or clear out the junk to avoid the tax.
Fast Closing: We can close in as little as 7 days, getting you your cash and moving the property out of your name before the June ballot even takes effect.
Stop worrying about what the City Council does next. Get a fair, all-cash offer for your San Diego property today and walk away with your equity intact.