San Diego Advances in Housing Development Amid Competition

San Diego, October 9, 2025

News Summary

San Diego has made significant progress in housing development, permitting 31,458 homes since the current administration began. However, competition from cities like New York and Dallas remains a challenge. The city is focused on affordable housing, yet the demand for new homes continues to outpace supply, showcasing ongoing issues with housing affordability and meeting residents’ needs.

San Diego’s Housing Progress Evident Amidst National Construction Permit Competition

San Diego is experiencing significant strides in its housing development sector, as highlighted by the city’s recent achievements amidst a competitive national construction landscape. In a notable commitment to address housing needs, the administration has permitted a total of 31,458 homes during Mayor Todd Gloria’s first four years in office.

The year 2024 has been particularly fruitful, with the city permitting 8,782 new homes, marking it as a remarkably strong year for San Diego’s housing market. This figure represents nearly 11,000 more homes permitted than during the previous four-year period, showcasing a robust increase in housing availability.

Despite these encouraging numbers, a new report reveals challenges as other cities are outpacing San Diego in issuing new construction permits. Focusing specifically on larger apartment buildings with 50 units or more, San Diego has permitted approximately 4,700 larger residential units in 2024. In contrast, cities like New York and Dallas are on track to permit around 29,000 to 30,000 apartment units each, while Denver is permitting over 12,000 units, surpassing San Diego’s total for larger buildings.

The report sourced data from Yardi, a software technology company that tracks commercial real estate trends. According to Yardi’s business intelligence manager, it was noted that while San Diego is performing well compared to other California cities, some strict state regulations pose additional challenges for construction growth.

California’s stringent building regulations complicate direct comparisons with cities from other states. San Diego’s construction process is often elongated due to various regulatory requirements, including coastal height restrictions that limit building heights near the ocean to 30 feet, further constraining development opportunities.

In response to these challenges, Gloria’s administration has implemented changes aimed at expediting the permitting process. They have doubled the average number of permits compared to the last two decades, presenting a more favorable climate for new developments.

City officials have emphasized that San Diego’s housing record significantly outpaces that of other major cities in California. Under Gloria’s leadership, there is a clear commitment towards prioritizing affordable housing and tackling the housing crises faced by many residents in San Diego.

Numerous neighborhoods within the city, including Uptown, Navajo, Kearny Mesa, Downtown, North Park, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Clairemont, have seen the highest number of permits issued, indicating a wide array of zoning districts moving toward potential development.

Part of Gloria’s strategy includes an executive order for the expedited review of 100% affordable housing projects, allowing for quicker approvals within a span of just 30 days. This effort aims to streamline the process of providing affordable options to residents who need them most.

Despite these advances, current efforts still fall short of the recognized demand outlined in the city’s Housing Element, which calls for roughly 108,000 new homes within eight years. Analysis reveals that only one in ten county residents can afford a median-priced home, consistently reflecting ongoing affordability issues. Furthermore, more than half of renters in San Diego are deemed housing-burdened, pushing nearly two-thirds of residents to contemplate leaving the area due to soaring living costs. This highlights pressing demands for improved housing affordability solutions.

Key Figures

• Total Homes Permitted in 4 Years: 31,458
• 2024 Home Permits: 8,782
• Increase from Previous Period: Nearly 11,000 homes
• Larger Residential Units Permitted in 2024: 4,700
• New York & Dallas Apartment Units: 29,000 to 30,000 each
• Denver Apartment Units: Over 12,000
• California’s Height Limit Near Coast: 30 feet
• Required New Homes (8 years): 108,000
• Renters Considered Housing-Burdened: Over 50%
• Residents Contemplating Leaving: Nearly 2/3

Frequently Asked Questions

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Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• 10 News
• Wikipedia: Housing Development
• Planetizen
• Google Search: San Diego housing
• Governing
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
• Times of San Diego
• Google News: San Diego housing development

Author: Construction NY News

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