San Francisco, CA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Health Code Sec. 92
- Applies to
- All buildings and premises citywide
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Health
- Duty holder
- Owner and/or occupant
Summary
San Francisco Health Code Sec. 92 requires every building and premises citywide to be kept clean, sanitary, and free from rodents by the owner or occupant.
(b) All Buildings to be Free of Rodents. All buildings, places and premises whatsoever in the City and County shall immediately and continuously be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and free from rodents by the owner and/or the occupant thereof. (c) Exclusion of Rodents in Buildings. All building and basement walls of all storerooms, warehouses, residences or other buildings within the City and County... shall be so constructed or repaired as to prevent rodents from being harbored underneath the same or within the walls thereof...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Health Code Section 92 is a sanitary police regulation aimed at preventing bubonic plague and other rodent-borne disease. It requires all buildings, places, and premises in the City and County to be kept immediately and continuously clean and free from rodents, and requires building and basement walls, chicken coops, barns, and stables to be constructed or repaired to keep rodents from being harbored inside them. Food products and merchandise that could attract rodents must also be protected from access. The Director of Public Health or an appointed inspector may enter a building during reasonable hours after announcing the purpose of the visit to check compliance.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Director of Public Health through inspection and abatement orders under Health Code Article 5; owners and occupants who fail to keep premises rodent-free are subject to code enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for keeping a San Francisco building rodent-free?
Can a city inspector enter my building to check for rodents?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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