The California Apartment Association is engaging with San Diego officials on a proposed ordinance that would regulate how landlords pass along the cost of city-provided utilities to tenants. 

The measure, advanced last week by the City Council’s Environment Committee, is now slated for consideration by the full council in June. It would impose new rules on how housing providers bill and disclose costs for municipal services, such as trash collection. 

Although trash service was the initial focus, the ordinance applies more broadly to all utilities provided by the city. The proposal follows a voter-approved measure requiring single-family homeowners to begin paying for trash pickup — a service the city previously funded. Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera, who is leading the effort, has expressed concern that some landlords may seek to recover the new fees at inflated rates. 

In response, the ordinance aims to set clear standards for utility passthroughs and disclosures. 

CAA has been in active dialogue with Elo-Rivera’s office throughout the drafting process, working to promote terms that are legally sound and operationally workable for rental housing providers. The association continues to advocate for provisions that preserve the ability to pass through legitimate utility costs and maintain consistency with state law.