San Diego's ‘hotel room tax' increases soon
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Staying at hotels and motels, short-term rentals, and RV parks and campgrounds in the city of San Diego is about to get more expensive.
The city's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) will increase starting May 1, following its approval as Measure C back in 2020.
Frustration grows over potholes along Miramar Road in San Diego
According to the city, the tax applies to all properties rented to transients. It defines a 'transient' as anyone who stays in a property for less than one month.
It took a considerable amount of time for the city to enact the tax increase due to legal challenges.
Although it was approved by 65% of San Diegans in 2020, the measure needed a two-thirds majority to pass. Years later, a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled Measure C only needed 50% of votes to be enacted.
San Diego city leaders propose major parking management overhaul
Starting in May, the tax increase will be divided into three zones with corresponding rates based on how close a lodging facility or campground is to the San Diego Convention Center.
The properties closest to the Convention Center will have the highest tax percentage at 13.75%. The other two zones will be taxed at 12.75% and 11.75%. The current TOT is 10.5%.
According to the city, the increased tax will lead to approximately $82 million in fiscal year 2026, with more than $1 million in additional revenue within the first ten years of its implementation.
Until 2030, 59% of the revenue generated will go toward financing the Convention Center and 41% to address homelessness, according to the city.
For the sixth through tenth year after the start of the tax, the allocations will change. The city still plans to spend 59% on the Convention Center and related operations, but 31% will be allocated to efforts to address homelessness and the remaining 10% will support street repairs and infrastructure improvements.
The Office of the City Treasurer says it plans to begin notifying lodging operators, property management companies and online hosting platforms about the tax rate increase next week.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
UCSD students protest Trump cuts to science research funding
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — For the second time this year, students and faculty at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) staged a protest outside Geisel Library, demanding the federal government reverse deep education funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration — cuts they say are threatening research, jobs and the future of scientific innovation. Dozens of protesters gathered on campus, holding signs and sharing personal stories about how the loss of federal research grants is impacting their work and well-being. Dozens possibly detained by federal officials amid immigration raids in Los Angeles 'This year has been filled with many moments of insecurity,' said Eleanor Ketterer-Sykes, a first-year Ph.D. student in the neuroscience program. 'UCSD is one of the best science schools in the country because of its renowned research labs, you have access to labs at the Salk Institute, Sanford and Scripps as well as the VA Hospital — but that future is in jeopardy.' The Trump administration has canceled hundreds of research grants in recent months, citing concerns over 'ideologically driven science.' The cuts have targeted studies ranging from HIV prevention to violence prevention in children. UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla warned in an April letter that the university stands to lose between $75 million and $500 million annually as a result. 'As of May 30, there have been more than 150 federal grants terminated, resulting in a loss of $30 million,' said Lisa Eyler, a UCSD psychiatry professor. 'These cuts are already leading to layoffs among instructors, staff scientists, and support personnel like librarians.' 'No Kings Day' protests planned across California on June 14 The ripple effects could be felt beyond UCSD. Stanley Maloy, emeritus professor of microbiology at San Diego State University, said the cuts threaten the pipeline of future scientists and engineers. 'Reduced positions mean talented students are left behind,' Maloy said. 'As this innovation workforce dries up, our economy is going to suffer.' Eyler echoed those concerns, warning of a generational loss in scientific progress. 'There will be a gaping hole in the pipeline of future scientists, engineers and healthcare providers, which could result in the potential loss of an entire generation of great scientific thinkers,' she said. Thousands in San Diego protest cuts to federal education funds For Ketterer-Sykes, the issue is personal. She entered the neuroscience program hoping to make life-saving breakthroughs. 'So many people rely on scientific innovation — whether it be to find cures for diseases like tuberculosis or Alzheimer's disease,' she said. 'It really is vital to humanity.' While the exact financial toll remains uncertain, university leaders say the impact is already being felt — and may only get worse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Staff at popular Atlanta restaurant say they were blindsided by sudden closing
The Brief Taco Mac's Midtown location abruptly closed Monday morning, leaving employees with no prior notice, according to one former worker. Former staff say they found out through text messages, social media and a sign on the door. The company declined to explain why it shut down Atlanta's last in-town location. ATLANTA - When Taco Mac's Midtown location suddenly shut down this week, workers say they had no warning. The owners announced the closure with a letter posted in the window of the restaurant that read "Permanently Closed." "It's frustrating because it's not knowing," Brandon Jovan Stephens, a former bartender at the Midtown location, said. "Just be honest. We bust our ass here." This was the only remaining in-town location of the Atlanta-based sports bar chain. A sign on the door said, "Our dedicated team members – the true heart of Taco Mac – will be offered opportunities at nearby locations." A spokesperson for the company declined to comment further. SEE ALSO: Taco Mac suddenly shutters 2nd Atlanta location in less than 2 months What we know Stephens said he worked over the weekend and saw no sign that the restaurant would be closing. "I worked over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday," he said. "Nobody told us anything." He said he first learned of the closure on social media and went to the restaurant to see for himself. "When I found out it was really true, was this sign. When the sign is gone and it's on the door permanently closed, that's it. That's all. Yeah. We have to bow out gracefully." The backstory The Peachtree Street location's closure comes less than a month after Taco Mac announced that it was shutting down its first location in Atlanta's Virginia Highland neighborhood after 46 years in business. "We built a clientele with our regulars, you know, but for this place to be shut down like this was, was just like a slap in the face to everybody," Stephens said. Just a few weeks ago, Taco Mac shut down its Virginia-Highland location — the original. The chain, which began as a single neighborhood bar in 1979, announced that the iconic corner of N. Highland and Virginia Avenue is transitioning to a new restaurant concept as the company focuses on future growth. It will be home to Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint. Another Taco Mac location on West Ponce de Leon in Decatur closed without warning in 2023. It had been in business for 22 years. "Lot of people had this as their only job," Stephens said. "You know, some people had kids." What's next Stephens said he's trying to stay optimistic about what's ahead. "It's frustrating to me and I'm standing up for it because it affected a lot of these people that worked here, worked here for a while," he said. "You got to think about it too, when one door closes, another one opens." The Source This article is based off of original reporting by FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
San Diego Unified School District reaffirms position on immigration enforcement
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Unified School District leaders reaffirmed their commitment Wednesday to keeping immigration enforcement agents off school campuses, promising to protect all students regardless of immigration status. At a press conference held at district headquarters in University Heights, Interim Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula addressed growing community concerns following recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the South Park neighborhood. 'Every student, regardless of how they identify or where they come from, deserves to feel supported, safe and inspired to come to school,' Bagula said. Board trustee Richard Barrera criticized recent immigration raids, which took place near a local school as students were leaving afterschool programs. 'We don't ignore that it is an intentional attempt on the part of politicians in this country to strike fear into the hearts of our families,' Barrera said. District officials highlighted steps they've taken over the past year to safeguard undocumented students and their families. In December, the board passed a resolution prohibiting ICE agents from entering school campuses without a court order, judicial subpoena or parental consent. San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gloria Ciriza emphasized that student safety is a prerequisite for learning. 'We know that our young people have a better chance to learn and grow in school if they feel safe, protected and welcome,' she said. In addition to policy changes, the district launched a website providing legal resources for undocumented and LGBTQIA+ students. Over the past school year, Bagula said more than 650 students and adults received services at the district's five Newcomer Welcome Centers. 'No confirmed reports of ICE on our campuses have been received in the last six months,' she added. Officials also announced the distribution of 10,000 'red cards,' which outline constitutional rights when interacting with immigration authorities. 'School will always be a safe haven for all of our students and all of our families,' Barrera said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
