Fountain Valley, CA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

The Fountain Valley Municipal Code has no separate rodent chapter, so the rules sit in the trash and nuisance chapters. Section 6.08.090(a)(7) requires that lids of containers be closed for sanitary and odor purposes and to prevent varmint, vermin and bird access and insect and pest breeding. The same subsection requires each cart to hold no more than ninety-five gallons, to be plastic or similar watertight material, to have a watertight cover attached, to have two wheels, and to be supplied by the city's franchisee.

Under subsection (b) no refuse is collected from the curbside unless it sits in a compliant cart. Section 6.08.100 covers multi-family commercial and multi-family residential properties that use commercial refuse bins. Each bin needs a lid or cover sufficient to prevent odor from escaping, flies and other insects from reaching the contents, the contents from leaving the container, and rain or water from entering. The owner of the premises must ensure that lids are completely closed and bins are not overfilled, that garbage is picked up and disposed of at least once per week, and that each bin and bin enclosure stays clean and sanitary.

On private land, § 8.04.020(16) declares a public nuisance any dead, decayed, diseased, overgrown or hazardous trees, weeds and vegetation, cultivated or uncultivated, which is likely to harbor rats or vermin. Related items cover junk and debris visible from a street (item 7) and polluted pool or pond water containing insects or animal life (item 23). The city can order abatement after a hearing and lien the cost under Chapter 8.04.