San Diego has approximately 90 million square feet of commercial space, driven by life sciences, defense contracting, tourism, and technology. The Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley, and UTC submarkets are global leaders in biotech and pharma research. Defense contractors cluster near military installations in Chula Vista and El Cajon. California tenant protections apply to all San Diego leases.
By Angel Campa, Founder · Updated March 2026
Commercial Space
90M sq ft
Avg Office Rent
$42–$65/sq ft
Vacancy Rate
18%
Avg Lease Term
5–12 years
San Diego life sciences leases in Sorrento Valley and Torrey Pines are often NNN or Modified Gross with above-market TI for lab buildouts. Defense contractor leases include security clearance provisions. Office and flex space is Modified Gross. California audit rights are stronger than the national norm and must be specifically extracted.
California Landlord–Tenant Guide
State-specific commercial lease laws, notice periods, and tenant rights for California →
Biotech and pharma leases include hazmat storage provisions, specialized HVAC and exhaust systems, above-market TI ($150–$300/sq ft for lab), and strict permitted use restrictions. These require careful abstraction beyond what standard lease templates capture.
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