California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat, water, electricity, and sanitation. If repairs fail after notice, a tenant may repair and deduct up to one month's rent under § 1942 or withhold rent.
Civil Code § 1941 requires a landlord to "put it into a condition fit for such occupation, and repair all subsequent dilapidations... which render it untenantable." Section 1941.1 lists required features: effective waterproofing, working plumbing, hot and cold running water, heating, electrical lighting, sanitary premises free of vermin, and floors, stairways, and railings in good repair. In Green v. Superior Court (1974), the California Supreme Court held this warranty is implied in every residential lease and is a defense to nonpayment. Under § 1942, if the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable time (30 days presumed) after notice, the tenant may repair and deduct the cost, not exceeding "one month's rent," "not... more than twice in any 12-month period."
Breach lets a tenant repair-and-deduct, withhold rent, sue for damages and rent abatement, or raise habitability as a defense in an unlawful detainer. Substandard conditions can also trigger code-enforcement penalties and, in serious cases, civil penalties under tenant-protection statutes.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Pittsburg, CA
Pittsburg restricts RV, boat, and trailer storage in residential areas through zoning regulations in Municipal Code Title 18. Recreational vehicles and trail...
Pittsburg, CA
Open burning prohibited in the Bay Area under BAAQMD Regulation 5. Pittsburg falls within BAAQMD jurisdiction. Subsurface fires (peat, vegetation) must be ex...
Pittsburg, CA
Wood-burning fire pits subject to BAAQMD Spare the Air restrictions. When alerts are called, all wood burning is illegal indoors and outdoors throughout the ...
Pittsburg, CA
All Pittsburg residences must have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor, plus carbon monoxide alarms outside...
Pittsburg, CA
Pittsburg is one of the few Contra Costa cities that permits state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks. Sale and discharge are allowed only from noon on July ...
Pittsburg, CA
Pittsburg encourages drought-tolerant landscaping. CA Civil Code 1940.10 and 4735 prohibit landlords and HOAs from penalizing tenants or homeowners for droug...
See how Pittsburg's repairs & habitability rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.