Voters on Tuesday appeared to be on the way to rejecting a tax on absentee homeowners in San Diego.
Among votes cast, 57.9% said no to Measure A, while 42.3% voted yes, with nearly 191,000 ballots counted. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.
Measure A proposes imposing a levy of $8,000 on homeowners who leave a property vacant for more than half the year, not using it as a residence or a long-term rental in the housing-starved city.
That tax would rise to $10,000 in later years and would be higher for corporate owners.
The city offered a wide projected range on revenues that could be generated by the tax, from $9 million on the low end to above $21 million, with the caveat that owners could use exemptions or opt to occupy or rent out a home, escaping the extra tax.
According to the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, 5,140 homes could be subject to the tax if it is approved.
Proponents, including San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera and labor groups, argue that Measure A would deter absentee owners from keeping properties off the market, and add to the housing supply for those seeking a home.
The city council put the measure on the ballot in March after the failed effort to place a more expansive measure before voters. Elo-Rivera had sought a tax on both vacant homes and those used as vacation rentals, but the proposal failed to make it out of committee.
Council President Joe LaCava said he would “remain hopeful” as reporting of results continues. He compared Measure A to 2022’s Measure B, which ultimately passed by 1%.
“I think back in 2022 when we brought the trash measure forward and we were behind until literally the last votes were counted,” he said. “It’s kind of (an) it-ain’t-over-until-it’s-over kind of thing.”
He added, “I know the other side put a lot of money into opposition there, (but) we’re hoping the votes trickle in and it ultimately will be successful.”
Opponents indeed spent heavily to defeat Measure A. Those set against the proposal, including the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, pointed to a similar tax in San Francisco that was struck down, a decision the Bay Area city is appealing. The opponents also, like LaCava, brought up Measure B, but in a different context.
The measure allowed a trash fee to be imposed city-wide. But the city presented a lower fee, then imposed a much higher amount last year, angering many residents. A recent legal settlement led to the trash fees being slashed.
Updated 3:49 a.m. June 3, 2026
Tessa Balc contributed to this report.
