Rialto, CA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Rialto Municipal Code Chapter 15.60 bars anyone from occupying a rental dwelling unit, or operating a motel, hotel or lodging house, without an unexpired, unrevoked biennial inspection certificate and payment of the city's fee (RMC 15.60.040(A)). Owners of buildings with two or more rental dwelling units must register the structure and each unit with code enforcement by the last business day of December, or immediately upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy (15.60.040(B)). A newly vacated unit cannot be re-rented until it is re-registered under the application process in 15.60.050, and owners must show proof of registration or exemption to utility companies before water, electric or gas service is connected (15.60.040(D)-(E)).

Once the application and fee are filed, a code enforcement officer inspects each unit for compliance with city codes, the Uniform Building and Fire Codes, and State Housing Law; a passing unit gets a certificate of clearance and then the biennial certificate, which must be posted in plain view in the manager's office, and failing to post it is a separate violation (15.60.050). The certificate lists the owner's name and contact information, the registration number and expiration date, and expires two years after issuance or upon a change of ownership (15.60.060).

Owners who miss the deadline owe a late registration fee of ten percent of the application fee for each month or part of a month they are late (15.60.051). Code enforcement inspects the exterior of every registered structure at least once every two years and may inspect the interior if it observes evidence of possible defects or extreme exterior dilapidation, though interior entry otherwise requires the owner's or occupant's permission or an inspection warrant under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1822.50 (15.60.070-15.60.071). Owner-occupied units are exempt from the program on request and confirmation of ownership, at no fee (15.60.100).