San Jose, CA Building Safety: Pest Control (2026)

The Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management enforces state pesticide law locally. Any business applying pesticides for hire must hold a California Pesticide Applicator License and register annually with the county Agricultural Commissioner under Food and Agricultural Code 11701. Structural fumigation for drywood termites, typically using sulfuryl fluoride, requires a Notice of Intent to Fumigate filed 48 hours in advance, occupant notification, and posting of warning signs. Fumigators must follow Title 3 CCR 6780 through 6788 for clearance, including two consecutive clearance readings at or below 1 ppm before occupants may re-enter. General pest control technicians servicing homes and HOA common areas must provide a written service agreement identifying the pesticide, rate, and re-entry interval. HOAs that hire unlicensed applicators can be held liable for violations. Tenant notification under Civil Code 1940.8 requires landlords to provide at least 24 hour written notice of pesticide application in a rental unit, listing the chemical and active ingredient. Sensitive-site requirements apply near schools and daycare centers. Integrated Pest Management is required in county-owned buildings under the county IPM Ordinance Division B28. Violators face administrative fines up to 5000 dollars per occurrence and license revocation.