San Diego County has declared a local emergency to prepare for the potentially historic impacts of El Niño, which is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding risks across the region. That emergency has triggered anti-price gouging laws that also protect renters.
During the emergency, it is illegal for property owners and management to raise the rent more than 10%, regardless of whether a property is exempt from statewide rent caps.
State law caps rent increases at 10% — or 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living, whichever is lower. Right now, the cap is 8.2% in San Diego County and it applies to most rental housing, including single-family homes and condos owned by corporations, mobile homes rented from park management, and Section 8 tenants.
Owners of exempt properties generally have to provide additional notice if they intend to increase the rent beyond 10%. But for the next 30 days following the county’s emergency declaration, those properties are prohibited from exceeding the 10% max cap.