Columbus, IN Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Section 15.24.170 of the Columbus Municipal Code assigns responsibility for pest and rodent extermination in dwellings in the City of Columbus, Indiana, and the chief code enforcement officer enforces it as part of the housing standards chapter. The default falls on the occupant. Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit is responsible for exterminating insects, rodents or other pests in the dwelling and on the premises. In a dwelling with more than one unit, the occupant is responsible when his or her unit is the only one infested.

The owner takes over in three situations. First, whenever infestation is caused by the owner's failure to maintain the dwelling in a ratproof and insectproof condition, extermination is the owner's responsibility. Second, when infestation exists in two or more dwelling units in a dwelling, the owner is responsible. Third, when infestation exists in the shared or public parts of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, the owner is responsible.

Other sections of Chapter 15.24 supply the prevention rules that decide who is at fault. Under § 15.24.100, every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof must be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodent-proof and kept in good repair, and every window, exterior door and basement hatchway must be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodent-proof and kept in sound working condition. Section 15.24.090(J) requires every basement or cellar window used for ventilation, and every other basement opening that might provide an entry for rodents, to carry a screen or other device that effectively prevents their entry. Section 15.24.150 requires occupants to dispose of garbage and any organic matter that might provide food for rodents in a clean and sanitary manner, using the garbage containers or disposal facilities that § 15.24.080 requires every dwelling unit to have. Under § 15.24.120, an owner of a dwelling with more than two units must keep the shared or public areas clean and sanitary. An enforcement notice under § 15.24.030 gives fifteen days to act, and an affected person has ten days after service to petition the board of public works and safety for a hearing.