Division 7 — Residential Tenant Protections
§98.0709 Remedies
San Diego Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Diego
(a) A tenant claiming a violation of this Division may file an action against a landlord in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) A tenant may seek injunctive relief, equitable relief, and money damages, including punitive damages, in a civil action against a landlord for a violation of this Division.
Ch. Art. Div. 9 8 7 18
San Diego Municipal Code
Chapter 9: Building, Housing and Sign Regulations
(3-2024)
(c) A tenant may raise, as an affirmative defense, any violation or noncompliance with this Division in any action by a landlord to recover possession of a residential rental property .
(d) Any attempt by a landlord to recover possession of a residential rental property or any actual recovery of possession of a residential rental property in violation of this Division shall render the landlord liable to the tenant in a civil action for wrongful eviction for damages of not less than three times the actual economic damages.
(e) Any landlord who fails to provide relocation assistance as required by section 98.0706(c) shall be liable to the tenant in a civil action for not less than three times the required relocation assistance and actual economic damages.
(f) In the court's discretion, a landlord who attempts to recover possession of a residential rental property in material violation of this Division shall be liable to the tenant in a civil action for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
(g) The remedies under section 98.0709 are cumulative and may be used in addition to any other remedies in this Division or at law, statute, or ordinance.
(h) The City may enforce this Division under Chapter 1, Article 2 of this Code, including civil and criminal remedies.
(“Remedies” added 5-25-2023 by O-21647 N.S.; effective 6-24-2023.) (Amended 2-27-2024 by O-21769 N.S.; effective 3-28-2024.)
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- Chapter 9
- Division 2 — House Numbers
- Division 3 — Advertising Displays Adjacent to Scenic Freeways,…
- Division 1 — General Provisions and Definitions
- Division 2 — Financing Facilities
- Division 3 — Bonds
- Division 1 — Housing Code
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- Division 3 — San Diego Housing Commission
- Division 4 — Interim School Facilities Financing Ordinance
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▸ Division 7 — Residential Tenant Protections
Overview- §98.0701 Purpose and Intent
- §98.0702 Definitions
- §98.0703 Exemptions
- §98.0704 Just Cause Required for Termination of Tenancy
- §98.0705 Notice to Tenant of Residential Tenant Protections
- §98.0706 Requirements Upon Termination of Tenancy
- §98.0707 Buyout Agreements
- §98.0708 Retaliation Prohibited
- §98.0709 Remedies
- §98.0710 Failure to Comply with Division
- Division 8 — Prohibition of Discrimination Based on a Tenant’s…
- Division 9 — Notice of Tenant’s Right to Operate a Daycare Home
- Division 10 — Affordable Housing Preservation
- Division 11 — Prohibition of Anti-Competitive Automated Rent P…
- Division 12 — Residential Tenant Utility Fees
- Division 1 — In General
- Division 2 — Responsibilities of City Council
- Division 3 — Administration of Program
- Division 5 — Designation of Residential Rehabilitation Areas a…
- Division 6 — Limitations on Amount of Loan
- Division 7 — Terms of Conventional RAP Loans
- Division 9 — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Division 19.7 — The Centre City Planned District
- Division 19.8 — The Centre City Planned District
- Division 2 — Land Development Authorities and Advisory Boards
- Division 2 — Fees and Deposits
- Division 3 — Notice
- Division 4 — Public Hearings
- Division 5 — Decision Process
- Division 1 — Definitions
- Division 2 — Rules for Calculation and Measurement
- Division 2 — Enforcement Authorities For the Land Development …
- Division 4 — Procedures For Abatement of Unsafe, Dangerous,
- Division 1 — Adoption And Amendment Procedures for Land Use Pl…
- Division 1 — Zoning and Rezoning Procedures
- Division 3 — Zoning Use Certificate Procedures
- Division 5 — Residential High Occupancy Permit
- Division 6 — Mobile Food Truck Permit
- Division 1 — General Subdivision Procedures
- Division 2 — Certificate of Compliance
- Division 4 — Tentative Maps (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.)
- Division 5 — Parcel Maps (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; eff…
- Division 6 — Final Maps
- Division 7 — Merger of Parcels (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S…
- Division 8 — Reversion to Acreage
- Division 9 — Public Right-of-Way Vacations
- Division 10 — Easement Vacations
- Division 3 — Conditional Use Permit Procedures
- Division 4 — Neighborhood Development Permit Procedures (Added…
- Division 5 — Site Development Permit Procedures
- Division 6 — Planned Development Permit Procedures (Added 12-9…
- Division 8 — Variance Procedures
- Division 1 — General Review Procedures for Previously Conformi…
- Division 2 — Review Procedures for Previously Conforming Signs
- Division 1 — General Procedures and Authorities for Implementa…
- Division 2 — Procedures for Determination of
- Division 3 — Procedures for Preparation and Review of Environm…
- Division 1 — General Construction Permit Authority and Procedu…
- Division 2 — Building Permit Procedures
- Division 3 — Electrical Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by …
- Division 4 — Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Procedures
- Division 6 — Grading Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by O-1…
- Division 7 — Public Right-of-Way Permits
- Division 9 — Fire Permit Procedures
- Division 4 — Residential Base Zones
- Division 5 — Commercial Base Zones
- Division 6 — Industrial Base Zones
- Division 7 — Mixed-Use Base Zones
- Division 2 — Airport Approach Overlay Zone
- Division 3 — Airport Environs Overlay Zone
- Division 6 — Sensitive Coastal Overlay Zone
- Division 7 — Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone (Added 12-9-1997 by …
- Division 8 — Parking Impact Overlay Zone
- Division 9 — Residential Tandem Parking Overlay Zone
- Division 10 — Transit Area Overlay Zone
- Division 11 — Urban Village Overlay Zone
- Division 12 — Mission Trails Design District
- Division 13 — Clairemont Height Limit Overlay Zone
- Division 15 — Airport Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone
- Division 16 — Community Enhancement Overlay Zone