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.
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).
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.
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