Thousand Oaks, CA Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- Civil Code 1954.600
- Effective
- January 2017
- Disclosure
- Before move-in required
- Retaliation
- Prohibited
Summary
California Civil Code 1954.603 requires Thousand Oaks landlords to disclose bed bug information to tenants and respond to infestation reports. Local code defers to state law without adding city-specific requirements.
On and after July 1, 2017, prior to creating a new tenancy for a dwelling unit, a landlord shall provide a written notice to the prospective tenant as provided in this section. This notice shall be provided to all other tenants by January 1, 2018. The notice shall be in at least 10-point type and shall include, but is not limited to, the following: (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: Information about Bed Bugs — Bed bug Appearance: Bed bugs have six legs. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies about 1/4 of an inch in length. Their color can vary from red and brown to copper colored. Young bed bugs are very small. Their bodies are about 1/16 of an inch in length. They have almost no color. ... Common signs and symptoms of a possible bed bug infestation: Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, box springs, bed frames, mattresses, linens, upholstery, or walls. Molted bed bug skins, white, sticky eggs, or empty eggshells. Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor. Red, itchy bite marks... (b) The procedure to report suspected infestations to the landlord.
Full Breakdown
California Civil Code Section 1954.600 et seq., enacted 2017, governs bed bug duties statewide and preempts conflicting local rules. Thousand Oaks landlords must give new tenants a state-mandated bed bug disclosure form before move-in, including treatment history for the unit and adjacent units. Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who report infestations. Once notified, landlords must arrange professional inspection and treatment within reasonable time. Tenants must cooperate with treatment access. Ventura County Environmental Health does not routinely inspect residential bed bug cases; enforcement occurs through small claims court or housing habitability complaints.
Violations & Fines
Landlord retaliation or failure to disclose may trigger civil damages up to two thousand dollars plus attorney fees under Civil Code 1954.605. Habitability violations support tenant rent withholding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Thousand Oaks have its own bed bug ordinance?
Can a landlord evict me for reporting bed bugs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thousand Oaks
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