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

010 adopts 'in total as the law of the city except as provided by this chapter' the Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, with one copy on file with the City Clerk. 020 leaves use of the chapter 'at the sole discretion of the city,' letting it supplement or work alongside other code chapters such as the dangerous-buildings and nuisance-abatement provisions. 050 delete and amend specific numbered sections of the adopted Uniform Housing Code, most notably rewriting the appeal procedure: a person with a recorded interest in a substandard building has 30 days from service of a notice and order to file a written appeal with the Building Official, and failing to appeal waives the right to a hearing.

Once an appeal is filed, the Hearing Officer must set a hearing between 10 and 60 days out, give the appellant at least 10 days' written notice, and may grant continuances of up to 30 days. 060 adds that the Building Official's notice, order, and any written report are 'prima facie evidence' at the hearing, and the Hearing Officer's written decision to uphold or cancel the order is final. Costs of any city-ordered repair work can become a special assessment against the property or a personal obligation of the owner, at the legislative body's discretion.