October 27, 2025
Vacancy Tax
The San Diego City Council’s Rules Committee voted to advance a proposed June 2026 ballot 
measure that would impose a $5,000-per-bedroom annual tax on short-term vacation rentals across the city. Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera is promoting the measure as a way to raise additional revenue amid budget challenges and to free up more housing for San Diegans. The Chamber strongly opposes this costly experiment, which will not solve the housing crisis or address the rising cost of living facing working families. Instead, it would harm our local economy, deter tourism, and penalize San Diegans who rent out short-term vacation homes to supplement their income or operate as small business owners.
Ahead of the meeting, Chamber President and CEO Chris Cate spoke at a press conference outlining these concerns, and Executive Director of Public Affairs Justine Murray testified before the
Committee, warning of the measure’s economic impact on residents and small operators. The proposal will return to the Rules Committee before advancing to the full City Council in March for potential placement on the ballot. The Chamber thanks our members and San Diego residents who showed up in force to oppose this measure, and extends appreciation to Councilmember Raul Campillo for his “no” vote against this tax increase.
County Minimum Wage
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes the proposal to raise the minimum wage to $25 for entertainment event vendors in County parks. The Chamber has strongly opposed the measure, noting it would dramatically increase costs for event producers, staging companies, and nonprofits, making it harder to host community festivals, charity walks, and cultural celebrations that contribute to San Diego’s local economy and tourism. Many of these events rely on small vendors, volunteers, and limited budgets, and such a mandate would force them to cut jobs, reduce hours, or relocate to neighboring counties with lower costs. Executive Director of Public Affairs Justine Murray spoke in opposition to the proposal to raise the minimum wage at the County Board of Supervisors on October 21st, the County to prioritize compliance with existing laws and pursue alternative safety measures rather than advancing an industry-specific wage increase that undermines the region’s economic and tourism goals. Ultimately the measure passed 4-1, with County Supervisor Desmond voting no. We will continue to monitor this effort as it moves forward at the County, and thank Supervisor Desmond for his “no” vote against another industry-specific wage mandate effort in San Diego.