Does San Jose, CA have its own bed-bug rules ordinance?

No. San Jose, CA does not appear to have a local bed-bug rules ordinance, California state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from California Civil Code §1954.603.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in San Jose

San Jose, CA Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)

Few Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Disclosure law: Civil Code §1954.603 (2017)
Tenant duty: Cooperate with inspection, treatment
Treatment cost: Usually landlord pays
Apartment complaints: SJ Code Enforcement Multiple Housing
Hotel oversight: Santa Clara County DEH

Summary

California Civil Code §1954.603 requires every San Jose landlord to give tenants a written bed-bug information notice and disclose known infestations before signing a lease. SJ Code Enforcement and SCC DEH handle complaints; treatment cost typically falls on the landlord under habitability law.

(a) General information about bed bug identification, behavior and biology, the importance of cooperation for prevention and treatment, and the importance of and for prompt written reporting of suspected infestations to the landlord. The information shall be in substantially the following form:

Source: California Civil Code §1954.603View official code

Full Breakdown

Civil Code §1954.603, effective January 2017, requires every California landlord, including San Jose owners, to provide tenants a written bed-bug disclosure notice before lease signing and post the same information in common areas of buildings with three or more units. Landlords cannot show or rent a unit they know is infested. Civil Code §1954.604 obligates tenants to report suspected bed bugs and allow access for licensed pest control treatment. Treatment cost typically falls on the landlord because California habitability law (Civil Code §1941.1) treats infestations as substandard. San Jose Code Enforcement Multiple Housing Program inspects apartment complaints; SCC DEH handles commercial lodging like hotels and motels.

Violations & Fines

Landlords who fail to disclose face tenant rent-withholding, repair-and-deduct, and habitability lawsuits under Civil Code §1942. San Jose Code Enforcement may cite owners under SJMC substandard housing rules with administrative fines and abatement orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my San Jose landlord refuse to treat bed bugs?

No. Bed bugs render a unit substandard under Civil Code §1941.1. The landlord must hire a licensed pest control operator within a reasonable time, normally at landlord expense, and cannot retaliate against reporting tenants.

Who inspects bed bugs in a San Jose hotel?

Santa Clara County DEH licenses and inspects hotels and motels in San Jose. File a complaint through the DEH portal or call (408) 918-3400 to trigger an inspection of the lodging facility for bed bug conditions.

Must San Jose landlords disclose past infestations?

Yes if the landlord knew. Civil Code §1954.603 requires written disclosure of any known infestation, plus posted notice in common areas of buildings with three or more units, before a tenant signs a new lease.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Jose

Rodent ControlSome Restrictions Food Handler CertificationSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All San Jose rules

California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California public health rules overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.