Inspection Time Frames 

Beginning March 1, 2020, Residential Rental Inspection Services will make every attempt to post a daily inspection schedule.  If you do not see your scheduled inspection on the list or a list is not available, please call (831) 420-5100 to confirm your two-hour window. Inspection time frames are subject to change on a case-by-case basis such as inclement weather or short staffing.

Scheduled Inspections

Inspections are scheduled a minimum of twenty one (21) days in advance. The inspection letter containing the inspection information is mailed to the owner on record or to the preferred contact provided on the registration form. A canceled inspection or missed inspection may result in an addition fee of $127.00.

To reschedule an inspection or if you require special accommodations, submit your request at least five (5) business days prior to the inspection date/time listed on the inspection notice to rental@cityofsantacruz.com. Please provide the OWN number and address of the rental.

Preparing for Your Inspection  

To prepare for the inspection, review the checklist to verify all applicable items are in compliance. Handouts with specific information (i.e. water heater, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarm, etc.) are available on the main Rental page.  

• Ensure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are operational.

• Ensure all areas, rooms and structures on the property are accessible.

• Ensure all animals are restrained at the time of the inspection.

• Provide access information prior to the inspection if the building has a secure entry (i.e. gate code).

About Inspections

The property owner, property manager or a representative, 18 years of age or older, must be present for the duration of the inspection. The tenant is not the representative unless they have agreed to do so with the property owner and/or manager and the tenant may choose to be present during the inspection.

The inspector will follow the items on the Checklist to visually inspect the interior of each unit and the exterior of the property. The inspector will verify maintenance is performed and the unit is not in a substandard condition that does not meet minimum standards established by local and state laws including the use of spaces not intended as habitable space, and overcrowded, unsanitary and/or unsafe housing that renders a housing unit unfit or unsafe for occupancy.  

After the Inspection

The inspector will update the records with either an approved inspection result indicating no items were noted as requiring corrections or with a correction required result. Rental units receiving an approved inspection result will receive a certificate of compliance approximately 2 weeks after the inspection results have been entered in the system. Rental units receiving a correction required result will receive further information from the inspector identifying the item corresponding to the checklist.  The inspector will determine a reasonable length of time to complete the correction. Depending on the correction a secondary inspection may be scheduled to verify the corrections have been completed. When all corrections have been successfully performed and the rental unit receives an approved inspection result a certificate of compliance will be sent.

Please contact the inspector if you have any questions as our main priority is to help you successfully complete repairs and/or corrections.

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