Union City, CA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- 1997 Uniform Housing Code + CA amendments
- Enforcing agency
- Building Inspection Division
- First infraction fine
- $150
- State conflict rule
- HCD regulations control
- Effective date
- January 1, 2020
Summary
Union City enforces the Uniform Housing Code with California amendments as its local Housing Code, setting space, occupancy, structural, and mechanical standards for residential buildings and authorizing repair or demolition of substandard housing.
The Uniform Housing Code with State of California amendments, 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), Whittier, California, are hereby adopted by reference as the Housing Code of the City of Union City, regulating space and occupancy standards; structural, mechanical, exiting and other residential requirements; providing for the repair, rehabilitation or demolition of substandard residential buildings and prescribing penalties for the violation of said Code within the City of Union City. Where conflicts exist between the Uniform Housing Code and the state department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) regulations, the HCD regulations shall apply.
B. One copy of said Code has been filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Union City at 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, California, and the same or identical copy thereof, not less than one in number, shall at all times be kept on file for similar use.
C. The rules, regulations and provisions, requirements, orders and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force on January 1, 2020. (Ord. 872-19 § 3, 2019)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Union City Municipal Code § 15.60.010 adopts the 1997 Uniform Housing Code with California amendments as the city's Housing Code, governing space and occupancy limits, structural and mechanical soundness, exits, and other residential habitability requirements citywide. The code authorizes the city to require repair, rehabilitation, or demolition of substandard residential buildings. Where the Uniform Housing Code conflicts with California's Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) regulations, HCD's rules control. The Building Inspection Division, within Economic and Community Development, administers and enforces the code inside city limits, effective January 1, 2020.
Violations & Fines
Violations are cited as infractions: $150 first offense, $300 second, $600 third (charged as a misdemeanor), per Union City Municipal Code § 15.60.040, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Union City have its own rental habitability code?
What happens if a rental unit violates the Housing Code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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How other cities in Alameda County handle repairs & habitability.