Torrance Municipal Code Art. 3 Rodent Control

a) Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context clearly indicates a different intention, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this Article, have the meanings indicated in this Section:

b) Place includes land, a place, a building or a structure.

c) Possess includes control, own, lease, occupy, possess or have charge or domination over.

d) Rodents means rats, mice, gophers and ground squirrels.

The health officer of the City may inspect all places for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are infested with rodents and whether the requirements of this Article, as to their extermination and destruction, are being complied with. However, no building occupied as a dwelling, hotel or rooming house shall be entered for inspection purposes, except between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.

No rubbish, waste or cast-off materials of any kind shall be placed, left, dumped or permitted to accumulate or remain in any building or place, or upon any premises, so that they may afford food or a harboring place for rodents.

All boxes, lumber, paper and other materials in buildings, places or premises shall be removed or shall be stored or piled so as to eliminate rodent harborage.

Sheds, coops, hutches, barns and similar buildings shall be so maintained as to avoid and eliminate rodent harborage.

All buildings, places and premises shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and free from rodents.

All buildings used, or intended for use, for human habitation or occupancy shall be ratstopped by such maintenance and repairs as are necessary to eliminate or prevent rodent infestation.

Rodent extermination by trapping, poisoning or other suitable means shall be diligently done to eliminate rodent infestation in any building or on any premises where evidence of rodent infestation is found.

Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed as applying to land used primarily for the production of agricultural or horticultural crops or the raising of livestock, poultry or rabbits, unless such land or the adjoining land is infested in whole or in part with rodents.

It shall be unlawful for any person within the City limits to maintain any building, lot, premises, vehicle or any place in such an unsanitary condition as to permit the breeding or harboring therein or therefrom of rodents. Any place so infested and maintained shall be deemed a nuisance.

(Added by O-933; Amended by O-959)

No person shall occupy or maintain, or cause or permit another person to occupy or maintain any building, lot, premises, vehicle or any other place in such a condition as to permit the breeding or harboring therein or thereon of fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches, lice, flies, mosquitoes or any other vermin.