Stockton Municipal Code
Chapter 7
HEALTH AND SANITATION CODE
Part IV
CAMP CARS (TRAILERS) AND CAMP GROUNDS; HOTELS — LODGING — ROOMING
AND APARTMENT HOUSES
Division III
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNIT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
These regulations shall be known as the Residential Rental Unit Inspection and Maintenance Code of the City of Stockton, herein referred to as "this code."
The purpose of this Division is to proactively identify blighted and deteriorated housing stock and to ensure the rehabilitation or elimination of housing that does not meet minimum building code and housing code standards, exterior maintenance standards, and site maintenance standards to attempt to create a healthy, safe, and crime-free environment, and to further preserve and enhance the quality of life for residents of the City living in residential rental units.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
This Division shall apply to all residential rental units. This includes rooming and boarding houses that have three (3) units or more on one (1) parcel or site. This Division shall also apply to areas associated with a residential rental building or rooming and boarding house, including, but not limited to, parking lots, driveways, landscaping, accessory structures, fences, walls, swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. Hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and similar occupancies are specifically excluded from the requirements of this code.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.63. DEFINITIONS:
A. “Code Enforcement Office” shall mean the City department that enforces and administers this Residential Rental Unit Inspection Ordinance.
B. “Chief Administrator of Code Enforcement” shall mean the city department head of the Code Enforcement Office.
C. “Exemption” shall mean an exemption from fees; and shall NOT mean any exemption from inspection(s) and/or penalties due to non-compliance under this Ordinance.
D. “Maintenance Standards” shall mean the minimum required maintenance conditions of a Residential Rental Unit as outlined in this Ordinance and within the City of Stockton’s Maintenance Standards Checklist.
E. “Maintenance Standards Checklist” shall mean the checklist, as maintained by the Code Enforcement Office, and required for entry into the optional Self-Certification Program as outlined under this Ordinance.
F. “Management Entity” shall mean any person(s), business entity, or group, responsible for the oversight and day to day operations of the rental unit, including, but not limited to, such duties as assisting tenant(s) with the application process, repairs, procuring rent, and expediting the day to day operations.
G. “Owner” and “Property Owner” have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably and shall mean any owner(s), part owner, joint owner, or owners of record of the subject real property as shown on the latest equalized tax assessment role as maintained by the San Joaquin County Assessor, or as otherwise known to the Chief Administrator of Code Enforcement.
H. “Residential Rental Unit(s)” shall mean any property which is a single Assessor Parcel Number located within the City of Stockton which is rented, regardless of size, square footage, or any written lease agreement, and including the rental of any single family residence, apartment complex, duplex, triplex, or multi-family housing.
I. “Residential Rental Unit Class” shall mean an approved four hour class that provides owners and management entities an opportunity to become educated regarding all aspects of property management including, but not limited to, tenant selection, tenant rights, and property maintenance.
J. “Responsible Party” shall mean any person responsible for causing, permitting, or maintaining any violation of this Ordinance; and shall include, but is not limited to, any tenant, owner, and/or management entity.
K. “Tenant or Occupant” shall mean any person who occupies the residential rental unit, in whole or in part, whether alone or with others, regardless of any lease agreement.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.64. INSPECTIONS AUTHORIZED; COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS:
A. Frequency of inspections: Every residential rental unit shall be inspected not less than once every four (4) years, except for those residential rental units that are participating in the Residential Rental Inspection Self-Certification Program or those residential rental units that qualify as exempt as defined in Section 7-111.71 of this Code..
B. Inspections; conformance with standards:
(1) The Chief Administrator of Code Enforcement or his/her designee may inspect residential rental units and their associated residential rental units to determine whether such properties comply with applicable provisions of state housing law, the Stockton Municipal Code, and with all previous conditions of approval and agreements. Applicable provisions of the Stockton Municipal Code include, but are not limited to, the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings,; and the exterior/interior maintenance standards as outlined in the Residential Rental Inspection Self-Certification Program’s Maintenance Standards Checklist.
(2) When inspections are made, residential rental units shall be required to be in conformance and maintained in accordance with the code that was in effect at the time the residential rental unit was constructed, except for any additional requirements mandated by the Stockton Municipal Code or state housing law.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.65. SELF-CERTIFICATION PROGRAM:
A. Well-maintained residential rental units with no existing violations of state housing law or the codes listed in 7-111.64 above may qualify to participate in the Residential Rental Inspection Self-Certification Program. Eligibility requires the property owner or his/her designated management entity to conduct a self-inspection of all residential rental units, including exterior conditions and site conditions, and certify that conditions at the property achieve the interior and exterior standards listed on the Residential Rental Inspection Program's Maintenance Standards Checklist; complete the Self-Certification Affidavit; pay the first year of the Self-Certification fee and the required application fee in an amount established by Resolution of the City Council. The Chief Administrator of Code Enforcement or his/her designee shall cause an inspection of approximately ten (10%) percent of the residential rental units that self-certify to verify compliance, following the inspection, citation and reinspection procedures established by this Ordinance.
(1) Eligibility: Based on the Self-Certification Affidavit submitted exterior and interior inspection were conducted by the property owner or designated management entity. The property owner or designated management entity agrees to immediately respond to known criminal or gang activity and contact the City Code Enforcement Office when and if any resident resists entry for the purpose of interior unit inspections for self-certification. With each change of property ownership or management entities, the subject property’s eligibility expires for the City Self-Certification Program. To remain eligible, the Property Owner is required to complete a current Affidavit regarding property conditions, ownership, and management entities within thirty (30) days of any change.. For qualifying participants, the property owner or the designated management entity will be allowed to remove the property from the City inspection program for a period of four (4) years, provided that the conditions do not deteriorate during that time to the point where the property would no longer meet eligibility maintenance standards for program participation as outlined in the Maintenance Standards Checklist.
B. Renewal Self-Certification: A residential rental unit that successfully participated in the prior Self-Certification Program is eligible to renew for the subsequent inspection cycle by completing the process outlined in Section 7‑111.65A.
(1) Ineligibility: If the Chief Administrator of Code Enforcement or his/her designee determines by review of the Maintenance Standards Checklist and/or Self-Certified Affidavit that the exterior and/or interior inspections are not in compliance, or as a result of an investigated complaint, that the property owner has allowed the subject residential rental unit to become out of compliance, the property owner will be cited as ineligible to participate in the Self-Certification Program. The property owner shall be assessed a penalty and the full inspection fee, in amounts established by Resolution of the City Council. The property owner will not be able to re-apply for the Self-Certification Program until the subject residential rental unit successfully passes an exterior and interior inspection, or for a period of twelve (12) months.
(2) Reinstatement: An owner/management entity that unsuccessfully participated in the prior Self-Certification Program is eligible to immediately reinstate after the owner/management entity completes a City of Stockton approved Residential Rental Unit Class, pays all penalties and fees due, and corrects all outstanding violations. The approved class will be a four-hour course, which will review the Self‑Certification Program Criteria; Self-Certification Program Affidavit; and Maintenance Standards Checklist. Upon reinstatement, the owner/management entity will be subject to the ongoing inspection cycle by completing the process outlined in Section 7-111.65A. The owner/management entity will be allowed to reinstate only three (3) times. If, after the owner/management entity has been reinstated three (3) times and the Chief Administrator of Code Enforcement or his/her designee determines by review of the Maintenance Standards Checklist and/or Self-Certified Affidavit that the exterior and/or interior inspections are not in compliance, or as a result of an investigated complaint, the subject residential rental unit is found out of compliance, the property owner will be cited as ineligible to participate in the Self-Certification Program for four (4) years.
C. At all times, the City of Stockton shall retain the authority to investigate and address any violation of state housing law and the Stockton Municipal Code.
D. Any residential rental unit that participates in the Residential Rental Inspection Self Certification Program may be removed from the Self-Certification Program at any time if it fails to meet all of the interior and exterior standards outlined on the Maintenance Standards Checklist.
E. Any structure and/or premises that do not comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to an inspection of all residential rental units in the complex along with penalties and fees, in amounts established by Resolution of the City Council.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.66. MAINTENANCE STANDARDS:
In addition to state housing law and the Stockton Municipal Code, all residential rental units shall meet the exterior, interior, and site maintenance standards as outlined in the City of Stockton’s Residential Rental Inspection Self-Certification Program’s Maintenance Standards Checklist.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.67. NOTIFICATION OF INSPECTION; INSPECTION PROCEDURE:
A. The Code Enforcement Office shall mail a letter of intent to inspect a residential rental unit to the Property Owner and any designated Management Entity stating the date and time of inspection. Additionally, the Code Enforcement Office shall post a notice in a conspicuous place on each unit that is to be inspected. Such notification shall give a minimum of 21 calendar days' notice.
B. Should the Code Enforcement Office cancel or re-schedule an inspection, the Code Enforcement Office shall notify the tenant, property owner, and/or designated management entity in writing within five (5) business days of the initial date of inspection. The residential rental units inspected will be re-posted with the changed date of inspection.
C. In the event a property owner, designated management entity, or tenant in possession of the property to be inspected refuses access to any residential rental unit, the City Attorney is authorized to obtain from a court of competent jurisdiction any warrant necessary to cause the inspection to take place.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.68. ANNUAL FEE:
All property owners of residential rental units subject to a Code Enforcement Officer inspection shall pay a fee in an amount established by Resolution of the City Council. The fee will be used to finance the cost of inspection and enforcement. Should the property owner fail to pay the required inspection fee, the City will recover it, in addition to accrued interest and penalties, utilizing any remedies provided by law including, but not limited to, nuisance abatement or municipal tax lien procedures established by Ordinance or state law. This fee shall be known as the residential rental unit inspection fee.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.69. REINSPECTION FEE:
Upon inspection, the code enforcement officer may instruct the owner or the designated Management Entity to perform work, take action, or refrain from action to verify compliance with said codes. If the Code Enforcement Officer discovers upon reinspection that the work, action, or inaction requested was not performed, the cited party shall be charged a reinspection fee in an amount established by Resolution of the City Council. Should the cited party fail to pay the required reinspection fee, the City will recover it, in addition to accrued interest and penalties, utilizing any remedies provided by law including nuisance abatement or municipal tax lien procedures established by Ordinance or state law.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.70. DELINQUENT FEES; PENALTY FOR LATE PAYMENT:
The residential rental unit inspection fee shall be collected annually. If the property owner of the residential rental unit to be inspected fails to pay the residential rental unit fee, the property owner shall be required to pay all applicable interest and penalties.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC.7-111.71. EXEMPTIONS:
A. Newly Constructed multi-family residential rental units (4 or more): Newly constructed multi-family residential rental units shall be exempt from this Division for a period of five (5) years from the date the Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the Building Division. The exemption period shall begin to run on the date the Building Division issues a Certificate of Occupancy on multi‑family residential rental units. Single family residential units will not be exempt.
B. Subsidized Residential Rental Units. shall be exempt from this Division when annually inspected by a government agency or entity.
C. The property owner shall lose this exemption and be assessed a penalty and the full inspection fee in amounts established by Resolution of the City Council if the newly constructed multi-family residential rental units, or the subsidized Residential Units do not successfully pass an exterior and interior inspection.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.72. VIOLATIONS:
A. Notice of Violation: Whenever the code enforcement officer determines that a violation of this Division exists, the code enforcement officer shall give Notice of Violation and Order to Repair to the property owner and the designated Management Entity. The notice shall be in writing and shall describe, with reasonable detail, the violation so that the property owner and the designated Management Entity has the opportunity to correct said violation.
B. Time for Correction: The Notice shall provide a reasonable time for correction, ranging from 24 hours to up to 120 days, depending upon the severity of the violation. The property owner or designated Management Entity may request an extension of time, which may be granted if the code enforcement officer determines that substantial progress is being made to correct the violation. Once an extension is granted, and the residential rental unit is found to remain out of compliance for thirty (30) days after the final reinspection of the granted final extension, the Code Enforcement Office will send out a notice to the Owner/Management Entity that they are required to successfully complete a City of Stockton approved four (4)-hour Residential Rental Unit Class. Certification that the Residential Rental Unit Class was completed must be submitted to the Code Enforcement Office within thirty (30) calendar days after the notice to attend was mailed by the Code Enforcement Office or a penalty will be assessed.
C. Service of Notice: Notice shall be served in accordance with Section 1‑018 of the Stockton Municipal Code.
D. Building Permits: If applicable, Building Permits for the correction of violations shall be obtained as required by the California Building Code and Stockton Municipal Code.
E. Reinspections: Reinspections will be conducted to verify that the violations identified on the initial inspection have been corrected. Violations that were not noted on the initial inspection report, but are discovered on the reinspection due to subsequent damage or deterioration, shall be subject to correction.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
If, after a Notice and Order to Repair has been issued, a property owner designated Management Entity fails to correct the violation, the City may utilize any administrative or legal remedy available. Further, the City intends to utilize the provisions of Revenue and Taxation Code section 24436.5 to encourage the elimination of substandard conditions in rental housing. Said Section provides for the disallowance for state income tax purposes of interest, depreciation, taxes, or amortization deductions, which are derived from the ownership of rental housing, which is not in compliance. The City is also authorized to use the remedies set forth in state housing law and the Stockton Municipal Code.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.74. RELOCATION OF TENANTS:
If any rental unit is found to be unsafe to occupy, the costs and expenses of relocation of any tenant from that residential rental unit shall be in accordance with Section 1-092, et seq., of the Stockton Municipal Code, regarding Relocation Benefits For Displaced Tenants.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
Any person aggrieved by a determination of the Chief Administrator of Code Enforcement, or a determination regarding eligibility for participation in the Self-Certification Program may appeal to the City for a hearing in accordance with Section 1-076, et seq., of the Stockton Municipal Code regarding Administrative Hearings. Any property owner of a residential rental unit aggrieved by the Administrative Order issued by the Hearing Officer of an Administrative Hearing may, under current code, appeal the decision to the Superior Court.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.76. RENTAL INSPECTION PROCESS IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE:
A seven member Rental Inspection Process Improvement Committee, with one member appointed by each Council Member and the Mayor, shall be established to review the rental inspection process. The Committee’s responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the review of: the effectiveness of the Rental Inspection Ordinance in terms of how well it is meeting the purpose stated in Section 7-111.61; the rental inspection and the self-certification processes; the Self-Certification Program’s review process; the appeal process; the implementation procedures; and the fees. The Committee will meet within six-months after the adoption of this Ordinance and shall report their findings to the Legislative/Environmental Committee. The Committee shall report to the Legislative/Environmental Committee until such time as the Ordinance is fully implemented. After implementation, the Rental Inspection Process Improvement Committee shall report their findings to the Community Improvement/Crime Prevention Committee.
The Committee will remain in existence until December 31, 2008, unless extended by the City Council. They shall meet at least annually.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.77. RETALIATORY EVICTION:
It shall be unlawful for a landlord to recover possession of a rental unit in retaliation against a tenant for exercising his/her right pursuant to state law.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
SEC. 7-111.78. SEVERABILITY:
In the event any section or portion of this Division shall be determined invalid or unconstitutional, such section or portion shall be deemed severable and all other sections or portions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
(Amended by Ordinance 003.06 C.S. – Effective March 2, 2006
Stockton,
CA 
