Relocation Escrow for San Diego Landlords
San Diego’s Tenant Protection Ordinance requires landlords to pay relocation assistance on most no fault evictions, within 15 days of serving notice. Escrow documents the payment and protects landlords when tenants dispute it.
If you own rental property inside the City of San Diego, the rules changed under you in 2023. The Tenant Protection Ordinance took effect in June of that year and applies from day one of any tenancy. Under an eviction without fault, most landlords now owe relocation assistance before the tenancy even ends. Miss the deadline and you can lose the eviction case entirely.
What the Ordinance Requires
The base payment is 2 months of the tenant’s rent. If the tenant is a senior aged 62 or older, or disabled, the payment rises to 3 months. The money is due within 15 calendar days of serving the notice, and the landlord can choose to waive rent for the equivalent period instead of paying cash. The ordinance lives in the San Diego Municipal Code at Section 98.0706.
| Situation | What the Landlord Owes | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| No fault eviction, standard tenant | 2 months of rent | Within 15 days of serving notice |
| No fault eviction, senior (62+) or disabled tenant | 3 months of rent | Within 15 days of serving notice |
| Rent waiver option | Skip the lump sum and waive equivalent rent | Applied per ordinance terms |
| Property outside city limits | AB 1482 standard applies instead | Varies |
Why Landlords Use Escrow Instead of Paying Directly
Direct payment sounds simple until a tenant claims they never received it, or a building with six units needs six documented payments on the same deadline. Secured Trust Escrow holds the relocation funds and releases them against written confirmation from each tenant, producing a clean paper trail for court if the eviction is challenged. We compared both approaches in our article on relocation escrow versus direct payment, and most San Diego landlords we work with choose the documented route once they see the deadlines.
One more wrinkle. The ordinance covers only the City of San Diego. Chula Vista runs its own version, and the rest of the county follows the state standard of 1 month under AB 1482. Where your property sits changes what you owe, so confirm the jurisdiction before you serve anything.
Relocation Escrow for San Diego Property Owners
Secured Trust Escrow administers relocation assistance payments for landlords throughout the City of San Diego, with documented releases and deadline tracking.
About the Author: This guide was prepared by the escrow officers at Secured Trust Escrow, a California DFPI licensed escrow company with experience in business holding escrow, relocation escrow, liquor license transfers, and mergers and acquisitions throughout Los Angeles, Torrance, and surrounding areas.
Legal and Regulatory Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about escrow services. It does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Escrow transactions involve complex legal and financial consequences that vary by transaction type and individual circumstances. Parties should consult with qualified attorneys and tax professionals regarding their particular transactions. California regulations and market conditions change periodically. Last reviewed: September 2026.
