Imperial County, CA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum heat
- 68°F required
- Maximum cooling
- 75°F required
- Applies to
- All habitable structures, owned or rented
- Coverage area
- Unincorporated Imperial County only
Summary
Imperial County requires every habitable structure in the unincorporated area, rented or owned, to have a working heating and cooling system that holds 68-75°F.
All habitable structures (conventional or manufactured) on property that is located within the unincorporated areas of the County of Imperial shall include a functional, heating and air-conditioning system that will maintain indoor temperatures of the structure at a minimum temperature of 68°F for heating and a maximum 75°F for cooling.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
The county's building regulations mandate that all habitable structures, conventional or manufactured, in the unincorporated area include a functional heating and air-conditioning system capable of maintaining a minimum 68°F in winter and a maximum 75°F in summer. The requirement applies regardless of tenancy, so a rental unit lacking working climate control fails the standard just as an owner-occupied home would. Enforcement runs through the building official under Title 9's building regulations, alongside the county's general building-code violation and citation authority.
Violations & Fines
A habitable structure without a functional heating and cooling system able to hold 68-75°F violates § 91002.39; the building official can cite the owner, with penalties up to $1,000 or six months jail under § 91002.32.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my rental have to have air conditioning in Imperial County?
Does this rule apply inside El Centro or Calexico?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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