El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 16.30 Certificate of Compliance (residential Rental)

Before a business license as required in Section 4.32.260 can be issued to an owner or agent for the rental of any residential unit, a valid certificate of compliance must be obtained by the owner or agent from the person designated as housing administrator.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

To obtain such a certificate of compliance the owner or agent shall file with the housing administrator a written application on a prescribed form and accompanied by a fee to cover the cost of inspection, in accordance with the city's master fee schedule.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

Within twenty working days after the application is received, the housing administrator shall inspect the unit to determine compliance with the city's codes and ordinances. If the unit is in compliance with such codes and ordinances, the housing administrator shall issue a certificate of compliance.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

A. The certificate of compliance shall state:

1. The date of issue;

2. The description of the unit;

3. The address of the unit;

4. The name of the person to whom it is issued; and

5. That the unit complies with the provisions of applicable codes and ordinances so far as could be revealed by inspection.

B. The certificate shall expire at the end of two years or at such earlier date as set forth in the certificate.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

Where an inspection discloses such unit is not in compliance with such codes and ordinances, the housing administrator shall give written notice of each deficiency to the owner. No certificate of compliance shall be issued to the owner until all deficiencies are corrected. If the owner fails to correct all such deficiencies within six months after the application was filed, such application shall expire.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

Upon a showing of good cause, the housing administrator may issue a temporary certificate of compliance for a portion or the entire unit prior to correction of all the deficiencies.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

Other than the inspection fee required under Section 16.30.020 there shall be no fee required for a certificate of compliance.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

The owner shall be responsible for making the unit available for inspection by the city. If the occupant of the unit does not consent to the entry for such inspection, the housing administrator shall seek an inspection warrant pursuant to the state Code of Civil Procedure.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

Any person aggrieved by the determination of the housing administrator under this chapter may appeal to the board of appeals in the manner provided in the housing code.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

The housing administrator may promulgate written rules and regulations pertaining to the enforcement and implementation of this chapter. During declared emergencies, nothing in this chapter shall prevent the housing administrator from taking such temporary action as is, in his or her judgment, within the spirit and intent of this chapter and the adopted rules and regulations.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)

An owner or tenant may voluntarily request a housing code inspection. Upon receipt of the fee required by Section 16.30.020, the city shall complete such inspection. Any deficiencies which shall be discovered by such inspection, shall be corrected by the owner within six months.

(Ord. 97-7 Div. 2 (part), 1997.)