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

San Jacinto's rental habitability rules work by reference. Sections 5.62.070 and 5.62.080 of the Municipal Code require residential nonowner occupied properties to meet the exterior building and property maintenance standards and the interior maintenance standards found in the 'applicable codes and standards.' Section 5.62.020(A) defines that phrase as the minimum standards governing residential rental property in the San Jacinto Municipal Code, California Housing Code, California Building Code, California Fire Code, California Health and Safety Code, or the California Code of Regulations. 'Maintenance standards' are those governing the physical appearance and condition of both the exterior and interior areas of dwelling units.

A nonowner occupied property is a residential dwelling unit where the owner gives another temporary possession and use and does not reside. Section 5.62.030 reaches parking lots, driveways, landscaping, accessory structures, fences, walls, swimming pools, hot tubs and spas. The stated purpose in § 5.62.010 is to identify substandard property and ensure rehabilitation or elimination of properties that do not meet minimum building and housing code standards or exterior maintenance standards, or are not safe to occupy, while targeting properties where violations are a habitual condition without unduly burdening responsible owners.

Under § 5.62.060, structures and premises that fail the standards must be altered or repaired to reach compliance or demolished. Owners of buildings subject to inspection pay an annual inspection fee set by city council resolution; § 5.62.050 says the fee finances only the inspection and administration of the program, and unpaid fees can be recovered with interest and penalties through nuisance abatement or municipal tax lien procedures.

Owners can enlist in the good neighbor investment commitment under § 5.62.140, which brings a code enforcement inspection before each rental agreement and a report of code violations and recent police activity at the property, for a fee. Newly constructed buildings are exempt for two years from the certificate of occupancy under § 5.62.040.