Davis, CA Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)
Key Facts
- Complaint standard
- "Reasonable possibility" of violation
- Owner access window
- 21 calendar days
- Tenant notice
- 24 hours before entry
- Refused-entry remedy
- CCP §§ 1822.50-.57 warrant
- Retaliation banned
- Municipal Code § 18.11.080
Summary
A Davis tenant who reports code violations or a health and safety risk at a single-family rental triggers a city inspection under Municipal Code Section 18.11.050(f)(2)(B). If the owner or occupant blocks access, the city can pursue an inspection warrant rather than dropping the case.
The city shall conduct an inspection upon receipt of a complaint of code violations or health and safety risks existing at the single-family rental unit property where the city believes, in its discretion, that there is a reasonable possibility that such code violations or health and safety risks may be present. ... The owner shall not be in violation of this section if the tenant or occupant refuses to allow the inspection or otherwise refuses consent to enter the unit. In the event the tenant refuses entry, the city may seek alternate remedies to gain legal access. ... the city shall have recourse by means of every remedy provided by law to secure lawful entry and inspect the premises, including, but not limited to, securing an inspection warrant pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1822.50 through 1822.57, as may be amended.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4915048; v22 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
050(f)(2)(B) requires the city to inspect a single-family rental unit once it receives a complaint of code violations or health and safety risks, so long as the city believes there is a reasonable possibility such conditions exist. This is one of three ways an inspection can start under the article, alongside random compliance audits and staff-initiated inspections based on visible problems from the public right-of-way. Once triggered, the owner has twenty-one calendar days to provide the city access after receiving the inspection request, and must give any tenant at least twenty-four hours' written notice of the scheduled inspection, or notice as required under the lease.
57. Where the city has reasonable cause to believe conditions pose an imminent threat to life, health or safety, it can use any reasonable means the law allows to enter immediately. If the inspection finds violations, the city issues a written notice of violation to the owner, with a copy to the tenant, identifying the violated sections, potential penalties, and a correction deadline.
Violations & Fines
If a complaint-triggered inspection finds code violations, the owner receives a written notice of violation with a correction deadline; missing it moves the property into Chapter 23 nuisance abatement. A tenant isn't penalized for filing a complaint, and Section 18.11.080 makes it unlawful for an owner to retaliate against a tenant for reporting suspected violations to the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a bad rental condition to the city?
Can my landlord retaliate against me for complaining?
What if my landlord won't let the inspector in?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis
California rules heatmap·Compare Davis to another location·View the California rental inspections overview
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Tenant Complaint Process in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Yolo County handle tenant complaint process.