Property Management Across San Diego County: Areas McKee Serves

Reviewed by Brendan McKee, Managing Broker, DRE #01882732, on October 21, 2026.

McKee Properties manages rentals across San Diego County: City of San Diego neighborhoods, the South Bay (Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, National City, Imperial Beach and Bonita), La Mesa, and Coronado, where our office has been since 1989. The rules depend on which city your property is in, not its neighborhood name. The City of San Diego, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach each have their own tenant protection ordinance; National City, La Mesa and unincorporated Bonita follow state law.

Key takeaways

• In the City of San Diego, the Tenant Protection Ordinance requires just cause from the start of a tenancy, and owners pay the Rental Unit Business Tax.
• Chula Vista (including Eastlake and Otay Ranch) has its own ordinance with just cause from day one; Imperial Beach has one that starts after 12 months.
• No local just-cause ordinance was found for National City, La Mesa or the unincorporated county, including Bonita, as of October 2026, so state law applies there.
• Coronado has its own rules, covered in the Coronado Rental Guide.

City of San Diego neighborhoods

Every neighborhood below is inside the City of San Diego, so the same City rules apply. As of October 2026:

• Tenant Protection Ordinance (SDMC §§ 98.0701 to 98.0710). Just cause applies from the first day of a tenancy, not after 12 months. No-fault terminations carry relocation of two months' rent, or three months if the tenant is 62 or older or disabled. A single-family home or condo can be exempt only with the exact City exemption notice.
• Rental Unit Business Tax. Owed by anyone who owns, operates or manages residential rentals in the City, generally due 1 Mar.
• Short-term rentals. Whole-home short-term rentals over 20 days a year need a capped license; as of 9 Oct 2026, Mission Beach (Tier 4) had 0 remaining. ADUs can't be rented for less than 31 consecutive days.

See the San Diego Tenant Protection Ordinance and short-term rental license guides.

Coastal neighborhoods

• La Jolla: coastline, coves and hillside streets above the ocean.
• Pacific Beach: a beach neighborhood between the ocean and Mission Bay.
• Mission Beach: a narrow strip between the ocean and Mission Bay.
• Ocean Beach: a beach neighborhood near the mouth of the San Diego River.
• Point Loma: a peninsula between San Diego Bay and the ocean, with hillside homes.

Central neighborhoods

• Downtown San Diego: high-rise and mid-rise condos and apartments near the bay.
• Hillcrest: older apartment buildings, condos and homes north of Balboa Park.
• Mission Hills: older homes on hills and canyon edges above Old Town and Mission Valley.
• North Park: a grid of older bungalows and small apartment buildings northeast of Balboa Park.
• South Park: older homes and small multi-unit buildings on the east side of Balboa Park.
• Mission Valley: apartment and condo communities along the San Diego River and Interstate 8.

Bay Park, Clairemont and the mesas

• Bay Park: hillside homes above Mission Bay, served by the Mid-Coast Trolley's stations at Tecolote Road and Clairemont Drive.
• Clairemont: a large mesa of single-family streets and canyons, also served by Mid-Coast stations.
• Linda Vista: a mesa neighborhood of homes and apartment buildings above Mission Valley.
• Kearny Mesa: business parks, shopping and housing in the center of the city.
• University City: condos, apartments and homes near UC San Diego, served by the Mid-Coast Trolley's UTC and campus stations.

Navajo and the College Area

• College Area: homes and apartments around San Diego State, served by the Green Line's SDSU Transit Center.
• Allied Gardens: single-family streets near the Grantville Green Line station.
• Del Cerro: hillside homes north of Interstate 8, near the UC San Diego Health East station.
• San Carlos: single-family neighborhoods near Lake Murray and Mission Trails Regional Park.

South Bay

These areas sit in four different jurisdictions.

Chula Vista, Eastlake and Otay Ranch

Eastlake and Otay Ranch are communities within the City of Chula Vista, so Chula Vista's Residential Tenant Protection ordinance (CVMC ch. 9.65) applies to all three. As of October 2026, it requires just cause from the start of a tenancy. In a residential rental complex (three or more units owned by the same owner), no-fault relocation is the greater of two months of HUD Small Area Fair Market Rent or two months of contract rent, or three months for elderly or disabled tenants; for other covered units it is one month. It is not credited against other relocation, and the owner must notify the City within three business days of serving the notice. The chapter runs until 1 Jan 2030.

• Chula Vista: western neighborhoods along the Blue Line trolley (E Street, H Street and Palomar Street stations) and the Bayfront, where Sweetwater Park opened on 2 Apr 2025.
• Eastlake: planned neighborhoods of newer homes, townhomes and condos in eastern Chula Vista.
• Otay Ranch: planned villages of homes, townhomes and apartments in eastern Chula Vista, with Rapid 225 bus service from Otay Ranch Town Center to Downtown.

Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach is a beach city at the south end of San Diego Bay. Its just-cause ordinance (IBMC ch. 9.90) applies after 12 months of occupancy, as state law does, and owners must file each termination notice with the City within three business days. Complexes of 15 or more units owe added relocation for substantial remodel or demolition.

National City and Bonita

• National City: an older city between San Diego and Chula Vista, with homes, apartment buildings and the Sweetwater River on its southern edge.
• Bonita: an unincorporated community of larger lots, hills and the Sweetwater River valley.

No local just-cause, relocation or rent ordinance was found for National City or for the unincorporated county as of October 2026. State law applies: just cause after 12 months and the state rent cap (Civ. Code §§ 1946.2, 1947.12). See just cause eviction.

East County: La Mesa

La Mesa is a city of hillside neighborhoods and a walkable village, served by the Green Line's 70th Street, Grossmont Transit Center and Amaya Drive stations. No local tenant protection ordinance was found as of October 2026, so state law applies, as in National City.

Coronado

Coronado is its own city with its own rules, covered in our Coronado Rental Guide.

Rules by area at a glance

Everywhere in the county, covered units are limited to 8.2% rent increases over 12 months for increases from 1 Aug 2026 to 31 Jul 2027 (Civ. Code § 1947.12). As of October 2026, the county is also under a state of emergency after Tropical Storm Rachel, so Penal Code § 396 generally bars raising rent more than 10% above the pre-emergency amount, including at turnover, stated through 14 Nov 2026. Check whether it has been extended.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm the details for your situation with a California attorney or tax professional.

Every rule is in one table in San Diego landlord rules at a glance; comparing companies? Read how to choose a property manager in San Diego. The series hub is San Diego property management, and every area page is listed on communities we serve.

Frequently asked questions

Does the San Diego Tenant Protection Ordinance apply in Chula Vista or La Mesa?

No. The Tenant Protection Ordinance is part of the San Diego Municipal Code and applies only inside the City of San Diego. Chula Vista has its own ordinance (CVMC ch. 9.65), and La Mesa follows state law.

Which cities in San Diego County have their own tenant protection rules?

As of October 2026, the City of San Diego (SDMC 98.07xx), Chula Vista (CVMC 9.65) and Imperial Beach (IBMC 9.90). No local ordinance was found for National City, La Mesa, El Cajon, Escondido, Encinitas or the unincorporated county, and Oceanside rejected one in September 2025.

Is Bonita part of the City of San Diego or Chula Vista?

Neither. Bonita is unincorporated, so neither city's ordinance applies. No County just-cause ordinance was found as of October 2026, so a Bonita rental follows state law, including just cause after 12 months for covered units.

Do Eastlake and Otay Ranch follow Chula Vista's rental rules?

Yes. Both are communities within the City of Chula Vista, so its Residential Tenant Protection ordinance applies, with just cause from the start of a tenancy and its own relocation amounts.

Do I pay the San Diego Rental Unit Business Tax if my rental is in National City or La Mesa?

No. The Rental Unit Business Tax is a City of San Diego tax for rentals inside the City. A rental in another city falls under that city's own business rules, so check with the city where the property sits.

Next step: see what your area means for your rental

Whichever part of the county your property is in, a rental analysis is the place to start. McKee Properties has managed San Diego rentals since 1982. Request a free rental analysis for your property.