Hercules, CA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum heat
- 68°F in habitable rooms and bathrooms
- Occupiable work spaces
- 65°F minimum while occupied
- Screen mesh
- 16 mesh per inch minimum
- Electrical service
- 60-amp, 120/240V, three-wire minimum
- Violation class
- Infraction, or misdemeanor by election
- Enforcing agency
- Contra Costa County Building Official
Summary
Hercules requires landlords to keep rental units heated to at least 68°F in habitable rooms and bathrooms under its local amendment to the Property Maintenance Code. Owners who fail to supply heat, maintain screens, or meet minimum electrical service face code enforcement as an infraction or misdemeanor.
Amending Section 602.3, "Heat Supply," to read: Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat sufficient to maintain a temperature of not less than 68° F in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 555, passed March 25, 2025).
Full Breakdown
Hercules Municipal Code Chapter 5 (Title 9) amends the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code with local heat, ventilation and electrical standards that apply directly to rental housing. 3, "Heat Supply," to require every owner or operator who rents, leases or lets a dwelling unit or sleeping unit, expressly or by implication agreeing to furnish heat, to supply heat sufficient to maintain not less than 68°F in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms. 4 sets a 65°F minimum for occupiable work spaces while occupied. 14 to require insect screens of at least 16 mesh per inch on every door, window or other outside opening serving habitable rooms or food areas, with self-closing screen doors, unless an approved alternative such as an air curtain is used.
3 so exit doors must be readily openable from the egress side without keys or special knowledge. These standards are administered under Chapter 9-1, which designates the Contra Costa County Director of Building Inspection, acting as the City's building official, and the City Manager, Community Development Director or City Engineer as the enforcing authorities while the County provides building inspection services to Hercules under contract. A property owner may appeal an order to the three-member Board of Appeals established in Chapter 9-2, whose members are appointed by the City Council for two-year terms.
Violations & Fines
Section 9-1.03 makes any violation of Title 9, including the Property Maintenance Code amendments, an infraction unless the Code states otherwise, and the City may instead prosecute a violation as a misdemeanor. Section 1-4.01 sets the general penalty schedule for misdemeanors and infractions citywide. A person who begins work, such as an unpermitted heating or electrical repair, before obtaining a required permit is subject to a double permit fee under Section 9-1.03. Continuing work after a stop-work order triggers an administrative citation under the procedure in Section 1-4.02.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature must my landlord maintain in Hercules?
Who enforces property maintenance standards in Hercules?
What happens if a landlord ignores a heat or maintenance violation?
Are window screens required in Hercules rentals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hercules
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Repairs & Habitability in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle repairs & habitability.