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

SCCC § 15.18.010 adopts the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, published by the International Code Council, in full, expressly incorporating it as though set forth in the chapter, and designates it the 'Property Maintenance Code' for the City of Santa Clara. § 15.18.020 folds the City's prior Housing Code into that same instrument: any reference to the 'Housing Code' elsewhere in the Santa Clara Municipal Code is now read as a reference to the Property Maintenance Code, reflecting the repeal of the standalone Housing Code at Chapter 15.25.

Because the IPMC governs minimum conditions for existing residential and nonresidential structures, including sanitation, light and ventilation, structural soundness, and maintenance of exterior and interior surfaces, its adoption sets the baseline habitability standard code enforcement applies to rental housing in Santa Clara. Administration follows the Administrative Code adopted at Chapter 15.05, and Property Maintenance Code violations fall under Title 15's general enforcement provision, § 15.80.010, which lets the City Attorney's office pursue violations criminally, civilly, or administratively under SCCC § 1.05.070. Before a code enforcement officer issues an administrative citation for a structural or similar condition that does not create an immediate danger to health or safety, § 1.10.030(d) requires giving the responsible party at least five business days to correct the condition.