RESIDENTIAL RENTAL HOUSING
INSPECTION PROGRAM
On March 4, 2008 the City of Sacramento adopted Chapter 8.120 of the Sacramento City Code, establishing a Rental Housing Inspection Program. The purpose of this program is to address the issue of substandard rental properties, promote greater compliance with health and safety standards and preserve the quality of Sacramento’s neighborhoods and available housing.
The program achieves compliance of health, safety and welfare code violations in/on residential rental property that are:
- A threat to the occupant's safety
- A threat to the structural integrity of the building
- A negative impact on the surrounding neighborhoods
The five-year Rental Housing Inspection Program fee is $140 per rental housing unit, billed annually in five equal installments of $28 per unit. There is no cost for the initial inspection or 30 day re-inspection. Additional fees would be imposed only if the property is not brought into compliance within 30 days of the initial inspection, if the inspection appointment is not kept by the owner or responsible party or if the annual fee is not paid to the city in a timely manner.
Approximately three weeks before the scheduled inspection date, the property owner will receive a Rental Housing Inspection Notice listing the date and time, as well as an inspection checklist to prepare for and allow the owner an opportunity to fix problems before the inspection. If violations are found during the initial inspection, the owner is given 30 days to make the corrections. If all violations are not corrected before the 30-day progress inspection, an administrative Notice and Order may be issued. Properties taking more than 30-days to complete repairs are required to be inspected the following year and pay a $150.00 re-inspection fee.
If no violations exist on the property at the time of the initial inspection or if the violations are corrected before the 30-day progress inspection, the inspector will issue an approved inspection checklist and the property will be placed in the Self-certification Program. Properties that are in the Self-certification Program will only be subject to random inspections, and will become eligible to receive a discount on their Rental Housing Inspection Program fee during the next 5-year billing cycle. The Self-certification Program requires owners to perform their own inspections of each rental unit on an annual (calendar year) basis and upon any change in tenancy. Owners are required to keep their inspection forms which are subject to random audits. As long as the property is maintained and no violations exist, the property will continue in the Self-certification Program.
The program requirements apply to all residential rental housing units, however some rental housing units may be exempt under certain conditions. Exemption categories include units that are regularly inspected by another agency or rental properties that are less than five (5) years old. If any of these circumstances exist, a property owner must submit an Application for Exemption or Waiver form to the Code Enforcement Department.
For further information regarding this program, please see the Rental Inspection Program Outline and Frequently Asked Questions page.
LINKS:
View Rental Housing Inspection Flow Chart (pdf)
View Residential Housing Inspection Program Brochure (pdf)
View Residential Housing Inspection Program Ordinance (pdf)
View Rental Housing Inspection Program Checklist (pdf)
Rental Housing Inspection Program Outline
- All rental housing units are required to register with the City of Sacramento
- Properties must have a registered local contact representative within 35 miles of Sacramento City Hall
- Property owners are billed the Rental Housing Inspection Program fee in annual installments of $28 per unit
- All parcels with rental housing units will be inspected within the first 5-year program cycle
- Properties with violations require the owner makes necessary repairs in 30 days
- Properties with no violations may be eligible for the Self-certification Program
- Approximately 5% of the properties in the Self-certification Program will be audited at random each year
- Owners of properties in the Self-certification Program must perform their own annual inspections and inspect each unit when there is a change in tenant
- Rental housing units that are less than 5 years old or inspected by another agency may be exempt from the program
Program Fees:
Rental Housing Inspection Program Fee
(Based on a 5-year billing cycle) |
$140 per unit (billed in annual installments of $28 per unit over a five-year period) |
Rescheduling Fee |
$80 |
Re-inspection Fee (for continuing violations) |
$150 per inspection |
Late Penalty Fee |
20% of Amount Due |
Rental Housing Inspection Program Frequently Asked Questions:
| Q: |
Who is responsible for the payment of annual fees? |
| A: |
The fees are the sole responsibility of the property owner(s). |
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| Q: |
Why is an annual fee collected if the rental units aren't inspected every year? |
| A: |
The five-year program fee is $140 per unit; however it is being billed in five (5) annual installments to amortize the cost over the program cycle. |
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| Q: |
What is a local contact representative & why are they required to be within 35 miles of Sacramento City Hall? |
| A: |
A local contact representative is either the property owner or their designated representative who has full authority to act on behalf of the property owner. The contact person must work or reside within 35 miles to allow for personal service of any notices from the City of Sacramento.
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| Q: |
Does the property owner need to be present for the inspections? |
| A: |
The property owner or their listed contact representative owner must be present.
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| Q: |
Does the property owner need to contact the city to schedule the inspections? |
| A: |
No. The property owner or their listed contact representative owner will be contacted by mail at least three (3) weeks prior to their scheduled inspection. |
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| Q: |
What can the property owner do to prepare for the inspection? |
| A: |
The property owner can prepare for the inspection appointment by obtaining a copy of the inspection checklist used by the City of Sacramento Code Enforcement Department. The list may be downloaded here on the Code Enforcement Department web page or you may request a copy be sent by mail by calling 808-RENT or 808-7368. |
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