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

Section 15.34.070 amends Chapter 6 of the International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by the City. Section 602.2 requires that, where the winter design temperature is below 60°F, every dwelling unit have heating facilities capable of maintaining 68°F, measured three feet above the floor and two feet from exterior walls, in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms; cooking appliances cannot be used to meet this duty, and installing one or more portable space heaters does not achieve compliance either. Section 602.3 goes further for rentals specifically: every owner or operator of a building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units, whether under an express or implied term, must furnish heat capable of maintaining that same 68°F minimum in all habitable rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms occupied by tenants.

The same chapter amendment also governs related habitability items in the rental unit: Section 502.5 requires public toilet facilities to stay in safe, sanitary, working condition; Section 505.1 requires every sink, lavatory, bathtub, shower, drinking fountain and water closet to connect to an approved water system and be supplied with hot or tempered and cold running water; and Section 604.2 requires dwelling units to be served by a three-wire, 120/240-volt, single-phase electrical service rated at a minimum of 100 amperes. Enforcement runs through the Building Official under the Community Development Department's code enforcement program, which can issue a notice of violation and order compliance under Section 107 as amended at § 15.34.020.