Local Government Affairs Priorities
2025 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES
BOMA San Diego’s Government Affairs priorities and political objectives for 2025 are provided below. These priorities are based on BOMA San Diego’s guiding principles including promoting job creation, growth and retention; improving the state of commercial real estate and creating a more profitable work environment; and influencing legislation at the state and local level. These are not listed in any specific order and will be implemented at the discretion of the Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors.
HOMELESSNESS
BOMA San Diego will work with the various jurisdictions in and around the homeless space to assist in getting more shelter and services to help alleviate the impacts homelessness has on our community. BOMA San Diego will also press for better enforcement of existing laws, and continued implementation and expansion of the CARE Court program to help protect tenants, their guests and property. As well as support other measures, both locally and statewide, to get the services and housing the unsheltered population needs to reduce the impacts of homelessness on the streets.
BOMA will also work with local jurisdictions and law enforcement on the implementation of Prop 36 to help address mental health, drug and alcohol use and crime that is exacerbating the conditions on the streets and the impacts to businesses and residents alike.
FEES AND TAXES
Support a balanced approach budget prioritization and also any revenue generation that might be considered necessary to pay for critical government services, infrastructure and housing that does not disproportionally target commercial real estate and jobs creation – with government budgets projected to be impacted by declining revenue due to current economic conditions and the end of COVID relief funds, and with Measure E in the City of San Diego failing, as well as Measure G at the County of San Diego, BOMA will be vigilant and participate, where needed, in these discussions
BOMA San Diego will work with the government agencies on prioritization of key municipal services and infrastructure to ensure our members needs are considered during budget discussions, and if there are new fees or user charges, BOMA will work with agency officials to ensure the proposed burden is equivalent to the benefit being provided by the payor, and specifically the commercial real estate community.
Other areas of focus will include any other taxes that might be proposed for establishment or increase, including parcel taxes, transfer taxes or other means to raise monies that might disproportionately impact commercial real estate. BOMA San Diego will also work with BOMA CAL on any state legislative proposals that are targeted to San Diego for the purposes of establishing entities or means to increase taxes on commercial real estate to pay for subsidized housing or other government related programs.
For housing and infrastructure finance related measures, as well as those impacting property tax rolls, BOMA San Diego WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE any proposed real estate transfer tax or other narrowly targeted taxes against commercial real estate.
LAND USE/ENVIRONMENTAL
Improve the approval and permitting process, as well as inspections for the City of San Diego Development Services Department, as well as other jurisdictions as identified by the Board and membership - Numerous BOMA San Diego members continue to experience delays and challenges in getting various permits, inspections and approvals from the City of San Diego, as one example, specifically including tenant improvement permits. Whether for new construction, tenant improvements, encroachments, or other permits, these delays cost members both time and money, as well as inconvenience to and significantly delay of tenant occupancy, in addition to other ripple effects. BOMA San Diego supports efforts to significantly improve the city’s ability to process and approve projects and permits in a timely manner. These efforts can include, but are not limited to outsourcing reviews, hiring and training qualified staff, limit review times and cycles, as well as more “by right” approvals and “self-certification” that require less staff oversight, input and time. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for accountability, particularly in a cost recoverable ecosystem. BOMA San Diego will build on last year’s successful implementation of various permit reform measures, and, specifically, look to expand the eligibility for “self-certification” of tenant improvements.
Support updates to community and general plans – Community plans govern land use policies within specific San Diego communities. Many continue to be out of date and do not reflect the current business climate or demographics. BOMA San Diego has advocated for updating these as soon as possible in order to spur additional development opportunities and create vibrant, healthy mixed-use communities. BOMA San Diego will work with the City of San Diego and other entities to support the responsible updating of these plans in a means that reflects economic reality and helps maintain an appropriate stock of employment lands in the region. BOMA will also advocate for “programmatic” EIRs to allow for by right development, as well as increases in density to help meet our region’s employment and housing needs.
Support transit Oriented Development (TOD) to meet our region’s needs – BOMA San Diego supports implementing TOD and building appropriate high-density zoning along TOD designated corridors as being vital for San Diego’s future. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for TOD as a way to reduce reliance on long commutes while simultaneously addressing housing deficits. This includes participation in the discussions around:
Land Development Code & Mixed Use Zone Updates – continue to utilize the City of San Diego’s annual Land Development Code Update as a vehicle to create efficiencies and speed to market for the commercial real estate community’s needs. Also monitor the 2025 update for areas of concern that might impact current uses, or diminish improvements made in previous code updates. Also, work with the Planning Department to help update the mixed use zones in the city, particularly in the city’s jobs corridors, to ensure functional and adequate implementation.
Historical Resources Regulations - BOMA San Diego will work with City of San Diego staff to provide input and potentially support revisions to the city’s Historical Resources rules and regulations. Historical reviews have presented challenges in the use and redevelopment of properties and need to be updated to better reflect the modern, current needs of San Diegans.
CLIMATE AND GLOBAL WARMING
Support appropriate update to and implementation of Climate Action Plans throughout the region, including the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) consistent with the Court of Appeals decision in the Berkeley gas ban lawsuit – jurisdictions throughout the region are in the process of updating their Climate Action Plans. The plans address state mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. A recently confirmed decision by the Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is both beneficial, in that it overturned the City of Berkeley’s electrification mandate, and challenging, in that it will cause jurisdictions to look at other ways to reduce GHG. How these jurisdictions will address, and what form their “REACH Codes” might take will be of top priority.
BOMA San Diego will continue to work to ensure that the implementation of the plan will not inappropriately and disproportionately burden the commercial real estate industry. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for an incentive-based measures that do not place additional restrictions and mandates on our members and their tenants. This includes any efforts to use “climate change emergencies” to justify onerous measures on jobs creators.
Assure fair implementation of “Energy Performance Benchmarking” - the City of San Diego in 2018 adopted its own Building Energy Performance Ordinance (BEPO). This is a part of the state rules created under AB 802, that require to benchmark and publicly disclose building energy usage to the California Energy Commission. BOMA San Diego will work with the City to ensure the Council’s adopted consistency requirements with State law are effectively, implemented and also work with BOMA San Diego’s members to ensure compliance.
GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES AND REDEVELOPMENT
BOMA San Diego will work with government agencies to help facilitate the redevelopment of properties as a means to revitalize areas as well as provide more housing and jobs space. Specifically, BOMA will work to support efforts in the Midway Community to redevelopment the City’s Sports Arena site, as well as the City’s various properties in Downtown San Diego, including the Civic Center and surrounding properties.
WATER AND STORMWATER
Support recycled water implementation – The City of San Diego approved the Pure Water Program in 2014. Implementation of that recycled water system will diversify San Diego’s water supply and decrease the cost of water currently being imported from other jurisdictions. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for its full implementation, as well as support broad based efforts to fund Pure Water, noting that water rates are going up and could have impacts on tenants, many of whom are small businesses.
Oppose unreasonable and unwarranted rate increases & support appropriate rate-setting methodology as well as ratepayer safeguards – BOMA San Diego is constantly monitoring water rates and the methodology used to determine water rates. Water is one of the single costliest factors for doing business in the San Diego, and BOMA San Diego is pushing for a system that treats the commercial real estate industry as fairly as possible. BOMA San Diego will continue to support fair and responsible rate setting. BOMA San Diego will also pay close attention to the meter reading and billing issues continuing to face the City of San Diego.
Support fair, transparent and implementable storm water regulations as well as broad-based funding to improve municipal systems – How the City and County implement state regulations will directly impact BOMA members. BOMA San Diego will work with these jurisdictions and agencies to advocate for a fair and transparent process. BOMA San Diego will also support fair, broad-based means to pay for implementation of storm water requirements, as well system maintenance and upgrades. BOMA San Diego will also support an education-based enforcement system that relies on harsh penalties as a last resort.
TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT
Support effective road and transit service and other infrastructure between jobs and homes – SANDAG is revisiting the Regional Transportation Plan, and, in light of Measure G, the sales tax measure that might have provided additional funding for implementation, failing, rethinking it’s project priorities. The recently adopted RTP is estimated to cost over $60 billion. BOMA San Diego will evaluate any new plans and funding efforts to make sure they are balanced with fair support of both road and transit services and serve the critical connections to job centers and corridors. BOMA San Diego will also consider funding any newly pursued funding plans, be they public or private initiatives to make sure the benefits to the commercial real estate industry outweighs the costs.
Labor / Staffing / Wage / Work Rules / Mandatory Construction or Operational Requirements
BOMA supports fair and reasonable involvement by government in the workplace. BOMA does not support mandatory requirements that disproportionately and discriminately impact certain businesses. State and, specifically, local government, should not interfere in business and employment decisions that will harm the ability of our members to provide reasonably priced accommodations for commercial tenants. Federal rules apply in many cases, and new, local measures should only be considered under extreme and exigent circumstances and only with the direct and fair involvement of parties proposed for regulation. Proposed measures should also undergo a thorough and fair economic impact and legal analysis prior to any decision to adopt.
AI AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
Support adherence to privacy laws (such as CCPA) when issues like tenant management and automated leasing are introduced.
Support mandates with clear accountability for AI systems in CRE to prevent tenant data breaches, or cybersecurity threats.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING/PROFILE ENHANCEMENT
BOMA Public Official Small Groups – The BOMA GAC will set occasional small group breakfasts or lunches with important public officials so board and committee members can meet with these officials in an intimate format to discuss important issues currently impacting our members.
GAC Meetings – BOMA will continue to invite public officials and staff members from local government agencies to speak with the Government Affairs Committee at our regularly scheduled meetings and discuss issues of importance to our members. This provides an opportunity for BOMA members to interact directly with key staff and provide our input throughout the decision making process.
Business community partnerships – BOMA San Diego will continue to heighten its regional profile through organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, NAIOP San Diego, the Building Industry Association, the San Diego Regional EDC, the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Circulate San Diego and the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and other associations that tackle regional issues currently facing the broader business community.
BOMA San Diego’s Government Affairs priorities and political objectives for 2025 are provided below. These priorities are based on BOMA San Diego’s guiding principles including promoting job creation, growth and retention; improving the state of commercial real estate and creating a more profitable work environment; and influencing legislation at the state and local level. These are not listed in any specific order and will be implemented at the discretion of the Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors.
HOMELESSNESS
BOMA San Diego will work with the various jurisdictions in and around the homeless space to assist in getting more shelter and services to help alleviate the impacts homelessness has on our community. BOMA San Diego will also press for better enforcement of existing laws, and continued implementation and expansion of the CARE Court program to help protect tenants, their guests and property. As well as support other measures, both locally and statewide, to get the services and housing the unsheltered population needs to reduce the impacts of homelessness on the streets.
BOMA will also work with local jurisdictions and law enforcement on the implementation of Prop 36 to help address mental health, drug and alcohol use and crime that is exacerbating the conditions on the streets and the impacts to businesses and residents alike.
FEES AND TAXES
Support a balanced approach budget prioritization and also any revenue generation that might be considered necessary to pay for critical government services, infrastructure and housing that does not disproportionally target commercial real estate and jobs creation – with government budgets projected to be impacted by declining revenue due to current economic conditions and the end of COVID relief funds, and with Measure E in the City of San Diego failing, as well as Measure G at the County of San Diego, BOMA will be vigilant and participate, where needed, in these discussions
BOMA San Diego will work with the government agencies on prioritization of key municipal services and infrastructure to ensure our members needs are considered during budget discussions, and if there are new fees or user charges, BOMA will work with agency officials to ensure the proposed burden is equivalent to the benefit being provided by the payor, and specifically the commercial real estate community.
Other areas of focus will include any other taxes that might be proposed for establishment or increase, including parcel taxes, transfer taxes or other means to raise monies that might disproportionately impact commercial real estate. BOMA San Diego will also work with BOMA CAL on any state legislative proposals that are targeted to San Diego for the purposes of establishing entities or means to increase taxes on commercial real estate to pay for subsidized housing or other government related programs.
For housing and infrastructure finance related measures, as well as those impacting property tax rolls, BOMA San Diego WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE any proposed real estate transfer tax or other narrowly targeted taxes against commercial real estate.
LAND USE/ENVIRONMENTAL
Improve the approval and permitting process, as well as inspections for the City of San Diego Development Services Department, as well as other jurisdictions as identified by the Board and membership - Numerous BOMA San Diego members continue to experience delays and challenges in getting various permits, inspections and approvals from the City of San Diego, as one example, specifically including tenant improvement permits. Whether for new construction, tenant improvements, encroachments, or other permits, these delays cost members both time and money, as well as inconvenience to and significantly delay of tenant occupancy, in addition to other ripple effects. BOMA San Diego supports efforts to significantly improve the city’s ability to process and approve projects and permits in a timely manner. These efforts can include, but are not limited to outsourcing reviews, hiring and training qualified staff, limit review times and cycles, as well as more “by right” approvals and “self-certification” that require less staff oversight, input and time. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for accountability, particularly in a cost recoverable ecosystem. BOMA San Diego will build on last year’s successful implementation of various permit reform measures, and, specifically, look to expand the eligibility for “self-certification” of tenant improvements.
Support updates to community and general plans – Community plans govern land use policies within specific San Diego communities. Many continue to be out of date and do not reflect the current business climate or demographics. BOMA San Diego has advocated for updating these as soon as possible in order to spur additional development opportunities and create vibrant, healthy mixed-use communities. BOMA San Diego will work with the City of San Diego and other entities to support the responsible updating of these plans in a means that reflects economic reality and helps maintain an appropriate stock of employment lands in the region. BOMA will also advocate for “programmatic” EIRs to allow for by right development, as well as increases in density to help meet our region’s employment and housing needs.
Support transit Oriented Development (TOD) to meet our region’s needs – BOMA San Diego supports implementing TOD and building appropriate high-density zoning along TOD designated corridors as being vital for San Diego’s future. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for TOD as a way to reduce reliance on long commutes while simultaneously addressing housing deficits. This includes participation in the discussions around:
- Reducing parking minimums, unbundled and shared parking regulations
- Height limitation removal
- Removing density limitations along transit corridors
- Changing the ways infrastructure is financed and applying appropriate and reasonable standards for community infrastructure
- Adaptive reuse of underutilized commercial properties
Land Development Code & Mixed Use Zone Updates – continue to utilize the City of San Diego’s annual Land Development Code Update as a vehicle to create efficiencies and speed to market for the commercial real estate community’s needs. Also monitor the 2025 update for areas of concern that might impact current uses, or diminish improvements made in previous code updates. Also, work with the Planning Department to help update the mixed use zones in the city, particularly in the city’s jobs corridors, to ensure functional and adequate implementation.
Historical Resources Regulations - BOMA San Diego will work with City of San Diego staff to provide input and potentially support revisions to the city’s Historical Resources rules and regulations. Historical reviews have presented challenges in the use and redevelopment of properties and need to be updated to better reflect the modern, current needs of San Diegans.
CLIMATE AND GLOBAL WARMING
Support appropriate update to and implementation of Climate Action Plans throughout the region, including the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) consistent with the Court of Appeals decision in the Berkeley gas ban lawsuit – jurisdictions throughout the region are in the process of updating their Climate Action Plans. The plans address state mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. A recently confirmed decision by the Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is both beneficial, in that it overturned the City of Berkeley’s electrification mandate, and challenging, in that it will cause jurisdictions to look at other ways to reduce GHG. How these jurisdictions will address, and what form their “REACH Codes” might take will be of top priority.
BOMA San Diego will continue to work to ensure that the implementation of the plan will not inappropriately and disproportionately burden the commercial real estate industry. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for an incentive-based measures that do not place additional restrictions and mandates on our members and their tenants. This includes any efforts to use “climate change emergencies” to justify onerous measures on jobs creators.
Assure fair implementation of “Energy Performance Benchmarking” - the City of San Diego in 2018 adopted its own Building Energy Performance Ordinance (BEPO). This is a part of the state rules created under AB 802, that require to benchmark and publicly disclose building energy usage to the California Energy Commission. BOMA San Diego will work with the City to ensure the Council’s adopted consistency requirements with State law are effectively, implemented and also work with BOMA San Diego’s members to ensure compliance.
GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES AND REDEVELOPMENT
BOMA San Diego will work with government agencies to help facilitate the redevelopment of properties as a means to revitalize areas as well as provide more housing and jobs space. Specifically, BOMA will work to support efforts in the Midway Community to redevelopment the City’s Sports Arena site, as well as the City’s various properties in Downtown San Diego, including the Civic Center and surrounding properties.
WATER AND STORMWATER
Support recycled water implementation – The City of San Diego approved the Pure Water Program in 2014. Implementation of that recycled water system will diversify San Diego’s water supply and decrease the cost of water currently being imported from other jurisdictions. BOMA San Diego will continue to advocate for its full implementation, as well as support broad based efforts to fund Pure Water, noting that water rates are going up and could have impacts on tenants, many of whom are small businesses.
Oppose unreasonable and unwarranted rate increases & support appropriate rate-setting methodology as well as ratepayer safeguards – BOMA San Diego is constantly monitoring water rates and the methodology used to determine water rates. Water is one of the single costliest factors for doing business in the San Diego, and BOMA San Diego is pushing for a system that treats the commercial real estate industry as fairly as possible. BOMA San Diego will continue to support fair and responsible rate setting. BOMA San Diego will also pay close attention to the meter reading and billing issues continuing to face the City of San Diego.
Support fair, transparent and implementable storm water regulations as well as broad-based funding to improve municipal systems – How the City and County implement state regulations will directly impact BOMA members. BOMA San Diego will work with these jurisdictions and agencies to advocate for a fair and transparent process. BOMA San Diego will also support fair, broad-based means to pay for implementation of storm water requirements, as well system maintenance and upgrades. BOMA San Diego will also support an education-based enforcement system that relies on harsh penalties as a last resort.
TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT
Support effective road and transit service and other infrastructure between jobs and homes – SANDAG is revisiting the Regional Transportation Plan, and, in light of Measure G, the sales tax measure that might have provided additional funding for implementation, failing, rethinking it’s project priorities. The recently adopted RTP is estimated to cost over $60 billion. BOMA San Diego will evaluate any new plans and funding efforts to make sure they are balanced with fair support of both road and transit services and serve the critical connections to job centers and corridors. BOMA San Diego will also consider funding any newly pursued funding plans, be they public or private initiatives to make sure the benefits to the commercial real estate industry outweighs the costs.
Labor / Staffing / Wage / Work Rules / Mandatory Construction or Operational Requirements
BOMA supports fair and reasonable involvement by government in the workplace. BOMA does not support mandatory requirements that disproportionately and discriminately impact certain businesses. State and, specifically, local government, should not interfere in business and employment decisions that will harm the ability of our members to provide reasonably priced accommodations for commercial tenants. Federal rules apply in many cases, and new, local measures should only be considered under extreme and exigent circumstances and only with the direct and fair involvement of parties proposed for regulation. Proposed measures should also undergo a thorough and fair economic impact and legal analysis prior to any decision to adopt.
AI AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
Support adherence to privacy laws (such as CCPA) when issues like tenant management and automated leasing are introduced.
Support mandates with clear accountability for AI systems in CRE to prevent tenant data breaches, or cybersecurity threats.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING/PROFILE ENHANCEMENT
BOMA Public Official Small Groups – The BOMA GAC will set occasional small group breakfasts or lunches with important public officials so board and committee members can meet with these officials in an intimate format to discuss important issues currently impacting our members.
GAC Meetings – BOMA will continue to invite public officials and staff members from local government agencies to speak with the Government Affairs Committee at our regularly scheduled meetings and discuss issues of importance to our members. This provides an opportunity for BOMA members to interact directly with key staff and provide our input throughout the decision making process.
Business community partnerships – BOMA San Diego will continue to heighten its regional profile through organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, NAIOP San Diego, the Building Industry Association, the San Diego Regional EDC, the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Circulate San Diego and the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and other associations that tackle regional issues currently facing the broader business community.