San Mateo County, CA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Local Registration
- Not required
- Habitability Law
- Civil Code §1941.1
- Lead Disclosure
- Pre-1978 required
- Inspections
- Complaint-based
- Agency
- SMC Environmental Health
Summary
Unincorporated San Mateo County does NOT have a rental registration program. Landlords must comply with state habitability laws (Civil Code §1941.1) and the California Building Code. Business license required only for property management companies, not individual landlords.
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the increase. In determining the lowest gross rental amount pursuant to this section, any rent discounts, incentives, concessions, or credits offered by the owner of such unit of residential real property and accepted by the tenant shall be excluded. The gross per-month rent
Full Breakdown
San Mateo County has not adopted a rental housing inspection or registration program for unincorporated areas. Landlords are not required to register units with the County. However, all rental units must meet state habitability standards under Civil Code §1941.1 including weatherproofing, plumbing, hot/cold water, heating, electrical, clean/sanitary buildings, adequate trash receptacles, and working smoke/CO detectors. Pre-1978 buildings require federal lead-based paint disclosure (Title X). Bedbug notification required under Civil Code §1954.603. Mold, asbestos, and flood disclosures apply. The Health Policy and Planning Division responds to habitability complaints. San Francisco International Airport noise overlay may require sound attenuation disclosure for properties near SFO. Short-term rentals are separately regulated (see STR permit requirements).
Violations & Fines
Habitability violations: tenant may repair-and-deduct (Civil Code §1942), withhold rent, or sue. Health Department can condemn uninhabitable units. Landlord may face civil penalties up to $5,000 per unit for willful violations. Failure to disclose lead paint: federal penalties up to $19,507.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical penalties for violating rental registration rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
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