DATE:
January 28, 2026
18
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
FIGHTING THE RISING COST OF LIVING BY OPPOSING NEW TAXES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
San Diego County is one of the most desirable places to live in the country with its temperate weather, vibrant economy, and beautiful landscape. 3.3 million people are lucky to call San Diego County their home. However, many are being priced out by the high cost of living. Years of mismanagement by the State of California, coupled with structural economic issues like the housing shortage, are exacerbating the affordability crisis. Californians pay some of the highest taxes in the country: state income and payroll taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, gas taxes, school bonds, vehicle registration, and more. Working and middle-class families, young professionals, seniors, and small businesses are being crushed by the cost of living and tremendous taxes they pay.
The County of San Diego (County) has collected increasing, record amounts in property taxes year after year. This was reflected in the County's largest budget ever being adopted, totaling $8.63 billion for Fiscal Year 2025-26 (FY). The County does not have a revenue problem, and residents already pay exorbitant taxes. The County should actively oppose new and unnecessary taxes.
The Documentary Transfer Tax (DTT), also known as the property transfer tax, is a tax on all real estate transactions. It applies a tax of $0.55 per $500 on the sale price of property under state law. This is typically a line item for real estate sales. For example, a property that sells for $1 million would have a DTT of $1,100. This default rate of $0.55 is set by state law. It can be raised by a city or county through a ballot measure. Cities and counties that have raised this tax have seen disastrous effects on their real estate markets and local economies. Raising the DTT typically results in a sharp drop in real estate transactions, reduced development and const...
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