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

010 adopts by reference Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Edition, including its appendix, prepared by the International Conference of Building Officials as amended by the State Building Standards Commission, as the housing code of the City of Merced; three certified copies are kept on file with the city clerk. That 1997 UHC text sets the substantive habitability floor the city enforces against rental and owner-occupied dwellings alike, covering structural soundness, sanitation, light, ventilation, and occupancy conditions. 020 backs the adoption with its own penalty clause, making it unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to violate any provision of the housing code or any code adopted by reference, punishable under the general penalty chapter.

030 creates a Building and Housing Board of Appeals with express jurisdiction over Building Code, Housing Code, Administrative Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Fire Prevention Code, and Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code determinations. The Board has five members appointed by the city council on at least five affirmative votes, at least three of whom must be registered or licensed design, engineering, construction, or inspection professionals, serving staggered four-year terms; the Chief Building Official sits as a non-voting ex officio secretary. The Board must adopt its own hearing rules, meet at least once a year or as called, and issue written findings; once it rules, the decision of the Board is final and conclusive on all matters decided, and the Chief Building Official must proceed in accordance with that ruling.