San Diego algorithmic rent price-fixing ban (Ord. O-21955, May 2025)
City of San Diego — Anti-Competitive Automated Rent Price-Fixing Prohibition Ordinance (O-21955)
San Diego, CA · San Diego Ord. O-21955, adopted May 13, 2025, eff. June 12, 2025
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- June 12, 2025
- Applies to
- Residential landlords and rent-setting algorithm vendors operating in San Diego
- Enforced by
- San Diego City Attorney; private right of action for tenants
San Diego City Council adopted Ordinance O-21955 on May 13, 2025 (effective June 12, 2025), prohibiting landlords from using algorithmic tools that rely on nonpublic competitor data — current lease rates, occupancy levels, and vacancy strategies from competing properties — to recommend residential rent prices. Public data tools and affordable-housing compliance software are permitted. Penalties reach $1,000 per violation per month per property. Tenants can sue for damages and recover attorney's fees. Before the ban, an estimated 22 percent of San Diego County landlords reported using tools such as RealPage.
Who is protected: San Diego residential renters subject to algorithmically coordinated rent pricing
Legal detail
San Diego Ord. O-21955 (May 13, 2025, eff. June 12, 2025): prohibits the use, sale, or licensing of algorithmic devices that use nonpublic competitor data to recommend residential rental prices or occupancy levels. Applies to all residential properties; no size exemption. Exceptions: publicly available rent data tools, aggregated anonymous data, affordable housing regulatory compliance software. Penalties: civil fine of up to $1,000/violation/month/property. Private right of action: tenants may sue for actual damages and attorneys' fees. Enforcement: City Attorney and aggrieved tenants.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | May 13, 2025 |
| Citation | San Diego Ord. O-21955, adopted May 13, 2025, eff. June 12, 2025 |
| Private right of action | Yes, individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Up to $1,000 per violation per month per rental property |
| Topics | housing and credit decisions · automated decision-making |
| Statute | City of San Diego — Ordinance O-21955 (Anti-Competitive Automated Rent Price-Fixing Prohibition) |
More AI rules in San Diego, CA
- San Diego Unified School District · In effect
- San Diego Surveillance Tech Ordinance · In effect
- San Diego GenAI Policy · In effect
- ACLU sues San Diego over Flock ALPRs (Sept. 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
Related housing and credit decisions rules elsewhere
- Connecticut algorithmic rent ban — HB 8002 (eff. Jan 1, 2026) · In effect
- Minneapolis algorithmic rent ban (Ord. 2025-010, eff. Mar 1, 2026) · In effect
- Seattle algorithmic rent-fixing ban (Ord. 127241 / SMC 7.34, July 2025) · In effect
- NJ Forbidding the Algorithmic Inflation of Rent (FAIR) Act · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Hoboken Algorithmic Rent-Fixing Ban · In effect
- Santa Monica Algorithmic Rent-Setting Ban · In effect
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