Berkeley prohibits rodent harborage and requires property owners to eliminate infestations; pesticide use is restricted under the city Integrated Pest Management policy.
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 11.28 (Housing Code) and Chapter 12.04 require property owners to keep premises free of rodent and vermin infestation. The city adopted one of the nation earliest Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policies in 1998 (Resolution 59,713), restricting use of Tier I pesticides on city property and encouraging least-toxic methods. Private property owners must eliminate rat harborage including overgrown vegetation, debris piles, and structural openings larger than one-quarter inch. Commercial pesticide applicators must hold California Department of Pesticide Regulation licenses and provide 48-hour notice for applications near schools. Bed bug infestations in rental units must be addressed by landlords under state Civil Code 1941.1 habitability requirements.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle pest control.
See how Berkeley's pest control rules stack up against other locations.
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