Highland, CA Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Highland Municipal Code § 15.52.090 carries the request and complaint paths for the Residential Rental Enhancement Program. Under subsection D, the owner or occupant of any residential rental unit subject to the chapter can request that the city conduct both an interior and exterior inspection at any time. If the city is unable to obtain consent from the occupant, it can seek a court order to inspect the interior. Inspections other than those the chapter requires are building and safety special inspections made at the expense of the requesting owner.

Subsection E covers complaints. The city can conduct additional inspections before a business license certificate expires if it reasonably believes a violation exists, and those inspections can rest on, though are not limited to, complaints from occupants, local agencies or other third parties. The city gives notice of the inspection and follows the subsection D procedures. The text prints no complaint form or filing deadline.

What follows an inspection is set by § 15.52.080(D). When violations are noted, the city sends written notice to the owner, the local property manager and each affected rental unit within 15 working days following the inspection or within a reasonable time thereafter. The notice includes a reinspection date and a statement that the lessor cannot retaliate against a lessee under Civil Code Section 1942.5. Violations must be corrected within 30 days of receipt of the notice, or as the director approves or requires. If they are not corrected by the reinspection date, an administrative citation issues under HMC § 2.56.050 and the certificate is withheld.

Tenants also hold a document right: under § 15.52.090(F), an existing or prospective tenant can request the business license certificate and the owner or manager shall produce it. Program records other than business licenses are kept by the code enforcement division and are available to the public as state law or city ordinance allows (§ 15.52.030). For buildings with four or more rental units, § 5.34.030 declares certain tenant-caused offenses a nuisance.