Modesto Rental Housing Safety Program: July 2026 Operations

Modesto Rental Housing Safety Program: July 2026 Operations Update¶

Official source: https://www.modestogov.com/m/newsflash/home/detail/1712
Source retrieved: 2026-09-28
Date window: Official City newsroom update posted July 31, 2026; it reports 2025 inspections and explains the current rental-unit registration and inspection program.
Scope retained: Official City operational update: owners register rental units, periodic safety inspections occur, and the program protects tenants through maintenance standards. It is not a rent cap, eviction rule, general housing-code substitute, or a decision about an individual rental property.

Limitation: This is a date-bounded official operational guidance snapshot, not the full municipal code. Verify the live official source, property-specific coverage, exemptions, and any later rate, fee, or deadline before relying on it.

Exceptions & meaning →

Official guidance snapshot¶

Modesto Rental Housing Safety Program: July 2026 Operations Update¶

Source: https://www.modestogov.com/m/newsflash/home/detail/1712

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News Flash

Quality of Life for Modesto Renters and Protection of Investment for Property Owners

News Flash

Quality of Life for Modesto Renters and Protection of Investment for Property Owners

Newsroom

Posted on July 31, 2026

In 2019, the Modesto City Council passed Ordinance 3703, creating a citywide Rental Housing Safety Program (RHSP) to ensure safe and adequate housing conditions for renters in the City of Modesto. The program was thoughtfully designed with the needs of tenants and property owners in mind, through partnerships with the California Apartment Association, California Rural Legal Assistance, and Faith in the Valley, a local community-based organization.

What does this mean for rental property owners?

The RHSP requires residential rental property owners to register each rental property unit with the City through the registration form on the City’s website. Registered properties will undergo periodic inspections to ensure proper maintenance and to prevent situations that could adversely affect the quality of life in our community. To accomplish this, the ordinance requires an annual audit of up to ten 10 percent of the rental housing units.

The City may also mail property owners a notice that includes the registration application, and owners will have 30 days from the date of the notice to submit their information online or by mail. Incomplete forms will be returned for correction with an additional 30 days allowed, and failure to register on time may result in penalties ranging from $100 to $1,000 per property, depending on how late the submission is.

If a rental unit is selected for a safety inspection, the property owner will be notified by the City of Modesto Building Safety Division through mail, at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled inspection. After an inspection is completed, a $100 fee per unit will be invoiced to the property owner. If the fee is not paid, the unit will not pass inspection. If an issue is found with the unit, property owners must make repairs within 30 days following the inspection and submit proof of correction.

Property owners are required to self-certify that they have inspected their units and meet the required standards annually. According to the City Ordinance, the City may select properties owned by frequent Health and Safety Code violators, as well as randomly choose properties within certain census tracts based on statistical data or prior case information.

In 2025, 2,554 properties were inspected, and 617 units were identified with violations. The top 3 violations discovered were electrical deficiencies, water heating issues, and smoke detector violations. City staff successfully brought 87% of violating units into compliance through proactive inspections and consistent follow-ups with property owners.

How does the RHSP benefit property owners?

Property owners benefit from clear standards, predictable inspections, and long‑term protection of their investment.

Regular inspections may help identify small issues before they become expensive repairs.

Meeting State safety standards may lower the risk of tenant complaints.

Units that pass may be exempt from another city inspection for two years.

How does the RHSP benefit tenants?

The program ensures tenants remain safe without being financially or administratively burdened.

Inspections check for proper maintenance to prevent conditions that could adversely affect quality of life.

The program may reduce the burden on tenants who may fear reporting unsafe conditions.

Tenants can request a certificate of compliance to confirm a rental has been properly registered and inspected.

By providing a consistent and comprehensive system of safety inspections, the City of Modesto is preserving quality housing while protecting both tenants and property owners.

To learn more about the Rental Housing Safety Program and to register your rental property, visit the City’s website.