Santa Clara County, CA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Visible infestation lasting over 96 hours
- Applies to
- Urban Residential & Commercial zoned parcels
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Planning and Development
- Citation
- Ordinance Code § B38-10
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County property is blighted when building walls, retaining walls, or roofs show termite or rodent infestation visible from a public area or neighboring property for more than 96 hours.
Building exteriors, walls, retaining walls, or roof coverings are broken or deteriorated, do not provide adequate weather protection, or show evidence of a termite or rodent infestation or dry rot.(b)Windows or doors are broken or missing such that they create a hazardous condition or a potential attraction to trespassers. (Ord. No. NS-300.932, 12-18-18)
Sec. B38-11. - Exterior property condition. The existence of any of the following exterior property conditions constitutes property blight:
(a)The property contains overgrown, diseased, dead, or decayed trees, weeds, or other vegetation and that vegetation also:(1)Constitutes a fire hazard or other condition that is dangerous to the public health, safety, or welfare;(2)Creates the likelihood for the harboring of Vectors or other similar nuisances;(3)Is overgrown onto a public right-of-way at least 12 inches; or(4)Is completely dead, over 12 inches in height, and covers more than 50 percent of the front or side yard visible from any street.(b)The property fails to comply with any vegetation or landscape requirements imposed by or as part of any County-issued permit.(c)A swimming pool, pond, or other body of water is not attended, filtered, or otherwise maintained such that the water has become Polluted Water. (Ord. No. NS-300.932, 12-18-18)
Sec. B38-12. - Graffiti. Any property that contains conditions in violation of Division B27 of this Code constitutes property blight.
(Ord. No. NS-300.932, 12-18-18)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
The County's Community Preservation ordinance treats a building in a state of disrepair as property blight. Exterior walls, retaining walls, or roof coverings that are broken, deteriorated, fail to provide weather protection, or show evidence of termite or rodent infestation or dry rot qualify, but only if the condition is visible from a public area or a neighboring property and persists for more than 96 hours. Broken or missing windows and doors that create a hazard or invite trespassers are blight too. The rule applies only to privately-owned parcels in Urban Residential or Commercial zoning districts in the unincorporated county; it does not reach property inside San Jose, Palo Alto, or the county's other 13 cities.
Violations & Fines
Owners who allow disrepair to continue face nuisance abatement under Division A1 Chapter III and administrative remedies under Division A37, including fines and County-ordered repair or cleanup at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside San Jose or Palo Alto?
How long must infestation be visible before it counts as blight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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