Davis, CA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

010, state that Davis's reduced rental vacancy rate raises tenants' fear of reporting substandard and unsafe conditions, so the code proactively identifies problems instead of waiting on complaints. Substandard is defined by reference to dangerous physical conditions that violate the adopted Building, Fire and Residential Codes, State Health and Safety Code requirements, and the city's own nuisance and zoning rules, including deferred maintenance and accumulated trash and debris. 11 turns up code violations, the director issues a notice of violation to the owner, copied to the tenant, that identifies the violated sections, the range of penalties that can follow, and a correction deadline.

An owner who misses the deadline is referred to the nuisance abatement procedures of Chapter 23, which can include administrative or summary abatement. 080 separately makes it unlawful for an owner to raise rent, cut services, or evict a tenant in retaliation for reporting a possible code violation. 040(d)(2) confirms the article does not limit a tenant's right to sue for private nuisance or enforce lease terms. None of this displaces the state's own habitability standards under the Health and Safety Code, which apply independently of the city's registration program.