On May 19, 2026, San Diego residents turned out to vote on Measure A, a city ballot initiative that would impose an annual $8,000 tax on homes vacant for more than 182 days, rising to $10,000 in later years.. The measure, championed by three nonprofit groups, targets the roughly 5,140 non‑primary residences in the city, with a heavier surcharge for corporate owners. If passed, the tax would take effect January 1, 2027, and could raise significant revenue for housing programs.

Corporate‑Owned Homes Face a $4,000 Surcharge in Year One

According to the measure’s language, corporate‑owned properties would carry a $4,000 surcharge in the first year and a $5,000 surcharge the following year, on top of the base tax. This tiered approach is designed to penalize large investors who keep homes empty for profit. the proposal is part of a broader trend in U.S. cities that are tightening rules on vacant properties to address housing shortages.

Nonprofits Rally Behind the “Homes for San Diego” Campaign

The Yes on A campaign is sponsored by the Alliance San Diego Mobilization Fund, the San Diego Housing Federation, and the San Diego Municipal Employees Association. As reported, these groups argue that keeping more than 5,100 houses empty during a housing crisis is “wrong; homes are for living, not for hoarding.” They cite the city’s Office of the Independent Budget Analyst estimate that 1,541 to 2,826 second homes would ultimately be taxed.

Realtors Back the No Side with a Five‑fold Funding Advantage

The No on A campaign currently out‑raises the Yes side by a factor of five, with nearly all of the $1.3 million in funds coming from local, state, and national Realtors associations. This financial advantage has enabled a broad media push, including print mailers and social‑media ads, aimed at framing the measure as government overreach.

What’s Still Unclear About the Measure’s Impact?

While the measure’s text specifies the tax rates, it does not detail how the revenue will be allocated across city programs.. Additionally, the exact number of homes that will fall under the tax remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 1,541 to 2,826 second homes. Finally, the campaign’s reliance on digital and text‑message advertising raises questions about how effectively younger voters will be reached, a concern highlighted by University of San Diego political science professor Carl Luna.