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

Article XXVII (Sec. 14-102 through 14-107) defines HABITABILITY as conditions, including hot water, electric service, heating, electrical hazards, and infestation, that impair the tenant's quality of life, and defines a REPEAT OFFENDER as a responsible person with three or more confirmed violations at one property in three years, three violations across different commonly-owned properties in three years, or one unresolved violation lasting three years or more. Once the code compliance manager notifies an owner of enrollment, Sec. 14-106 requires an initial meeting, an initial inspection, and a notice of violation giving up to 30 days to cure (extendable for good cause), followed by mandatory yearly re-inspections billed at a Council-set fee.

Enrolled properties face civil citation fines doubled up to $1,000 per violation, and if repairs still are not completed after re-inspection, the city attorney can pursue a court-appointed receiver to take over the property. Owners may refuse an inspection, but the code official can then seek an administrative inspection warrant under Cal. Code of Civil Procedure Sec. 50 et seq. An owner may appeal enrollment to a hearing officer by filing a written request with the city clerk within 15 days of notice, with the hearing officer required to give at least ten days' notice of the hearing date.

Sec. 14-107 keeps a property registered until it passes two consecutive inspections at least 12 months apart with no violations, or, after a sale, becomes compliant within 90 days.