Measure A would levy a tax on homes in San Diego that are not claimed as a primary residence and are vacant for most of the year. Revenue from the tax would go to the city's general fund, which pays for services like public safety, libraries, parks and infrastructure.
Measure A would levy a tax on homes in San Diego that are not claimed as a primary residence and are vacant for most of the year. Revenue from the tax would go to the city's general fund, which pays for services like public safety, libraries, parks and infrastructure.
A"yes" on Measure A would support the creation of a new tax on homes that are unoccupied for most of the year. If a majority says yes, the tax takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027 until repealed by voters.A"no" on Measure A would support the status quo. If a majority says no, homes that are vacant for most of the year would continue to be taxed at the same levels they are today.Measure A applies to homes that are not claimed as someone's primary residence and are unoccupied for 183 days or more per calendar year. Homes that are someone's primary residence, or that are occupied for most of the year, would not be taxed. Properties with four or fewer units where the owner occupies one of them for most of the year Properties that become uninhabitable due to a natural disaster or catastrophic event Properties that are vacant because the owner has died, moved into a care facility or has been deployed or relocated due to military serviceOwners would have to pay $8,000 for each home subject to the tax in 2027. That would increase to $10,000 in 2028. Non-primary homes owned by corporations would be subject to an additional $4,000 surcharge in 2027, which would increase to $5,000 in 2028. Starting in 2029, the tax rate would be adjusted annually for inflation.Homeowners subject to the tax would have to pay by April 1 for the previous calendar year. Measure A allows the city to create “reasonable” rules, regulations, interpretations and guidelines to enforce the tax. Late payments would be subject to a 10% penalty. Homeowners found to have engaged in fraud to avoid the tax would have to pay double.The Independent Budget Analyst's Office estimates Measure A would generate between $9.2 million to $21.4 million in the first year, and between $10.5 million and $24.3 million in the second year.Measure A was proposed by City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera and was placed on the ballot by the City Council in an 8-1 vote. The proposal came after the city was forced to cut services from its budget due to a longstanding trend of costs rising faster than revenues.Supporters of Measure A say it will generate meaningful revenue to protect city services while also encouraging homeowners to rent out their homes to long-term residents, thereby easing the housing shortage. They also argue it will only apply to the wealthy, since most San Diegans cannot afford a second home, much less keep it vacant for most of the year.Alliance San Diego has reported donating $25,000 to the"yes" campaign. No other donations above $1,000 were reported as of April 14.Opponents say Measure A would add to an already high tax burden and would infringe on the privacy and property rights of homeowners. They argue because Measure A is a general tax with no specific spending plan, the city cannot guarantee revenue will be spent in line with voters' priorities. Opponents also point to a similar tax measure in San Francisco that a judge ruledThe National Association of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors have reported $95,000 in donations to the"no" campaign as of April 14. Reform California, a PAC controlled by Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, reported raising $12,500 as of March 13, which it can spend opposing Measure A as well as other ballot measures.I cover local government — a broad beat that includes housing, homelessness and infrastructure. I'm especially interested in the intersections of land use, transportation and climate change.KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.Politics
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