California Lease Terminations Lead Government Efficiency Drive

The Department of Government Efficiency has published a comprehensive list of lease terminations as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce federal real estate costs. According to the March 5, 2025 release, the department is canceling 748 leases nationwide, totaling over 9.5 million square feet and generating approximately $468 million in savings.

California features prominently in these terminations, with 53 leases being canceled across California cities, representing a significant portion of the nationwide initiative. These California terminations total approximately 659,294 square feet with annual lease savings of over $22.4 million.

Complete List of California Lease Terminations by City (Ordered by Size)

1. Los Angeles (Securities and Exchange Commission): 57,903 sq ft – $2,464,948
2. Los Angeles (National Labor Relations Board): 20,885 sq ft – $826,113
3. Menlo Park (Geological Survey): 20,000 sq ft – $1,800,000
4. San Antonio (Geological Survey): 20,950 sq ft – $463,053
5. Stockton (Bureau of Prisons): 33,204 sq ft – $1,160,491
6. Arcata (United States Fish and Wildlife Service): 25,500 sq ft – $640,880
7. Long Beach (Food and Drug Administration): 24,167 sq ft – $952,904
8. San Marcos (Internal Revenue Service): 20,111 sq ft – $855,521
9. Los Angeles (General Services Administration): 16,439 sq ft – $599,399
10. Los Angeles (DOD-WHS): 6,610 sq ft – $463,440
11. Los Angeles (Environmental Protection Agency): 13,541 sq ft – $572,420
12. Los Angeles (Federal Highway Administration): 7,100 sq ft – $313,985
13. Ukiah (Bureau of Land Management): 10,862 sq ft – $409,268
14. San Clemente (Food and Drug Administration): 21,450 sq ft – $699,986
15. Long Beach (Department of Education): 7,995 sq ft – $329,923
16. Irvine (BUR of Industry & Security): 13,775 sq ft – $503,029
17. San Mateo (Internal Revenue Service): 12,089 sq ft – $426,854
18. Stockton (Internal Revenue Service): 12,015 sq ft – $352,524
19. Vacaville (Mine Safety Health Administration): 11,014 sq ft – $348,025
20. Davis (Corps of Engineers): 11,180 sq ft – $508,914
21. Ventura (National Park Service): 10,855 sq ft – $377,727
22. San Diego (Food and Drug Administration): 6,374 sq ft – $454,339
23. San Diego (Employ. Standards Admin): 6,850 sq ft – $339,060
24. San Diego (International Trade Administration): 3,328 sq ft – $90,904
25. Thousand Oaks (Internal Revenue Service): 9,362 sq ft – $318,224
26. Visalia (Internal Revenue Service): 6,936 sq ft – $208,585
27. Modesto (Internal Revenue Service): 8,673 sq ft – $234,073
28. Redding (Bureau of Indian Affairs): 5,307 sq ft – $154,103
29. Salinas (Natural Resources Conservation Service): 7,829 sq ft – $172,395
30. San Jose (Food and Drug Administration): 4,859 sq ft – $220,598
31. San Jose (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission): 5,736 sq ft – $306,439
32. Ontario (Food and Drug Administration): 5,810 sq ft – $140,262
33. Ontario (Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Admin): 8,559 sq ft – $253,213
34. Weaverville (Bureau of Reclamation): 4,980 sq ft – $182,784
35. Bakersfield (Farm Service Agency – County): 7,306 sq ft – $145,158
36. Madera (Farm Service Agency – State): 3,858 sq ft – $115,740
37. El Centro (Internal Revenue Service): 5,120 sq ft – $174,477
38. Cerritos (Federal Communications Commission): 3,680 sq ft – $142,637
39. Monterey Park (Departmental Management IG): 6,917 sq ft – $193,399
40. Orange (Employ. Standards Admin): 2,082 sq ft – $82,733
41. Norwalk (Small Business Administration): 4,928 sq ft – $189,108
42. Lompoc (FAS REG 09 Maintenance Control Center): 5,400 sq ft – $127,062
43. Riverside (United States Trustees): 5,938 sq ft – $191,120
44. Woodland (Natural Resources Conservation Service): 5,240 sq ft – $117,085
45. Diamond Bar (Office of the Inspector General): 3,058 sq ft – $118,518
46. San Bernardino (Mine Safety Health Administration): 4,294 sq ft – $113,479
47. Palmdale (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency): 1,715 sq ft – $59,748
48. Carlsbad (Social Security Administration): 3,579 sq ft – $116,449
49. Santa Maria (Geological Survey): 6,440 sq ft – $118,513
50. Brea (General Services Administration): 2,551 sq ft – $73,826
51. Temecula (Bureau of Reclamation): 3,531 sq ft – $111,187
52. Auburn (General Services Administration): 1,228 sq ft – $31,025
53. Folsom (Geological Survey): 1,330 sq ft – $39,208

Regional Distribution

The lease terminations span across various California regions, with significant concentrations in:

• Southern California: Los Angeles (7 leases), San Diego (3 leases), and Orange County areas
• Northern California: San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento region
• Central California: Stockton, Visalia, and Bakersfield

Agency Impact Analysis

The agencies with the most significant California lease terminations include:

• Internal Revenue Service: 8 leases totaling 75,306 sq ft ($2.6 million annual savings)
• Geological Survey: 5 leases totaling 59,720 sq ft ($2.4 million annual savings)
• Food and Drug Administration: 4 leases totaling 58,291 sq ft ($2.2 million annual savings)
• Securities and Exchange Commission: 1 lease totaling 57,903 sq ft ($2.5 million annual savings)
• Federal agencies in Los Angeles: 7 leases totaling 142,488 sq ft ($5.2 million annual savings)

This widespread reduction in federal office space across California reflects the Department of Government Efficiency’s comprehensive approach to cost-cutting, particularly targeting high-cost real estate markets where leasing expenses are most substantial. Los Angeles appears to be the most affected city, with multiple agencies reducing their footprint in this expensive real estate market.ere leasing expenses are most substantial. Los Angeles appears to be the most affected city, with multiple agencies reducing their footprint in this expensive real estate market.