Imperial County, CA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Imperial County Code Sec. 91006.01(C)
- Default duty
- Owner, unless lease shifts it
- Enforcing officials
- Building Official & Env. Health Director
- Entry hours limit
- No entry 9pm-6am without consent
Summary
Imperial County's building code makes every property owner responsible for preventing and exterminating insect and rodent infestations on their own building, not just the tenant.
Every owner shall furnish and maintain required sanitary facilities and devices, equipment, or facilities for the prevention of insect and rodent infestation, and where infestation has taken place, shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests when such extermination is not specifically made the responsibility of the occupant by law or ruling.
Every occupant of a dwelling unit in addition to being responsible for keeping a clean, sanitary, and safe condition that part of the dwelling or dwelling unit or premises which he occupies and controls, shall dispose of all his rubbish, garbage, and other organic waste in a manner required by the health ordinance and approved by the Director.
1.Section R109.1 of the California Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows: "All buildings or structures within this Code and all construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and the Director in accordance with the manner provided by this Code and Section 110 of the California Building Code and all appropriate provisions of the law."
2.Section R104 of the California Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows: "Whenever the term Building Official is used in this Chapter, it shall be deemed to mean Building Official or Director of Imperial County Division of Environmental Health."
(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 7, 8, 12-15-20)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Section 91006.01(C) of the county's California Residential Code amendments puts the extermination duty on the owner: furnish and maintain equipment to prevent insect and rodent infestation, and pay for extermination once infestation occurs, unless a lease specifically shifts that job to the occupant. Occupants still must keep their own unit clean and dispose of rubbish and garbage properly. The Building Official and the Director of the county's Division of Environmental Health share authority to enforce this duty and may enter a dwelling to check compliance, though an occupied unit can't be entered between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. without consent.
Violations & Fines
Failing to control an infestation is a Residential Code violation the Building Official or Environmental Health Director can order corrected, and refusal can bring a citation under Section 91006.02.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to exterminate rats or bugs in a rental in Imperial County?
Can inspectors enter my home to check for infestation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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