Santa Clara County Vector Control District handles outdoor rodent surveillance and resident complaints countywide, while SCC DEH addresses food-facility infestations. California AB-1788 bans second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides for non-licensed users to protect raptors and other wildlife.
Rodent control in Santa Clara County is split between two agencies. The Santa Clara County Vector Control District (SCVMD), funded by parcel assessments, responds to resident rat and mouse complaints across all 15 cities and unincorporated areas, conducts neighborhood surveys, and provides free technical advice on integrated pest management. SCC Department of Environmental Health enforces rodent control inside restaurants, markets, and other permitted food facilities through CalCode. Property owners must abate harborage like overgrown vegetation, woodpiles, and uncovered compost. California Assembly Bill 1788 (Health & Safety Code §12978.7) prohibits anyone besides licensed structural pest control operators from using second-generation anticoagulants like brodifacoum due to documented secondary poisoning of bobcats, owls, and hawks.
Failure to abate a documented infestation on private property after notice triggers nuisance enforcement under SCC code with administrative fines. Unlicensed use of banned second-generation rodenticides is enforced by California Department of Pesticide Regulation with civil penalties.
See how Palo Alto's rodent control rules stack up against other locations.
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