Housing

• Housing Operating Permit Fees

Open All Questions

• Is heating required in a rental unit?

  Yes, the Uniform Housing Code requires heating facilities capable of maintaining a temp. of 70 degrees in all habitable rooms. The local Building Department must approve the devices or appliances.

• If I notified my landlord about a leaking roof and the leak has not been fixed, can you help me?

  Our department responds to health and safety code violations under provisions of the State Health and Safety Code. Our inspectors do not make the repairs but require the property owner take care of the health and safety code violations.

• My landlord wants to evict me because I am withholding my rent. I am withholding my rent because my landlord won't fix the window. Can you help me?

  Our department will respond to health and safety code violations but we do not get involved with tenant/landlord issues. If you need assistance in this area, contact Marin County Mediation Services at (415) 473-7454, Marin County Law Library at (415) 472-3733 or Legal Aid of Marin at (415) 492-0230

• My rental unit has lots of problems. I need an inspector to come and check them out. My landlord doesn't like me so I haven't told him about the problems. Can you send someone to check the apartment?

  You must first report the problems you are having to your landlord in writing to allow them an opportunity to remedy the situation. If your landlord does not make the repairs, you may then call our office.  If you need assistance in tenant/landlord issues, contact Marin County Mediation Services at (415) 473-7454  

• My neighborhood is infested with rats. Does the county have a department I can call to get rid of the rats?

  The Marin Sonoma Vector Control District can assist you. They can be reached at the Mosquito Abatement Office, 595 Helman Lane, Cotati, CA 94931, 1-800-231-3236.

• I need to have my water tested. Can I bring a sample to your office?

  No, we do not have equipment for testing. Contact your local water district office or Marin County Public Health Laboratory at 707-784-4410 or Marin Public Health Laboratory Services for for more information.

• Complaint Submission Form to the EHS
• Multi-Unit Housing Permit Application
• California State Housing Law
• Tenant and Landlord Rights & Responsibilities - a booklet provided from the California Department of Consumer Affairs
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Devices - Frequently Asked Questions
• Marin County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
• Indoor Air Quality a Source of Potentially Significant Human Exposure to Pollutants
• Mold in the Home - National Center of Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - a source of mold information English | Español
• Legal Aid of Marin
• For information and to submit a complaint to Marin Housing Authority (MHA)
• For information and referrals regarding smoking in multi-unit housing: http://www.smokefreemarin.com/smoke-free-housing/
• For information and referrals regarding indoor air quality in homes: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/protect-indoor-air-quality-your-home
• California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH)
• For free consultation help controlling rodents in homes: Marin Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control
  
• For insect identification and information: Marin Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control (707) 285-2200
• Bed bug control and prevention guidance for tenants and property owners
• For information about Marin County’s tenant-landlord dispute resolution ordinance and assistance: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/housing/dispute-resolution
• For information about mold in homes: CDPH Mold Español | Mold Booklet 2021
• Science-based advice video on mold remediation, prevention and control
• For a letter template, notifying your landlord of substandard condition(s): Sample Tenant-Landlord Complaint Letter
• Free Legal Advice with a licensed attorney
• SB 721 – California law requiring the inspection of balconies and stairways on multi-unit residential rental properties

EHS - MHA Online Complaint Submission Requirements

• All complaints submitted to EHS must be at the request of the tenant experiencing the complaint.
• You will be required to provide your MHA work order number regarding this complaint. If you do not have a work order number, please call MHA to obtain the work order number to associated with this complaint 415-390-2094.
• Currently EHS is only accepting complaints regarding Major Health and Safety violations. If the complaint type "other maintenance emergencies" is selected EHS’s response will be on a case-by-case basis.

Complaint Submission Form Instructions

1. Complete the Online Complaint Submission Form (see link below).
2. Fill out name, address (including apartment number), phone number and email address.
3. Select preferred contact method.
4. Select type of complaint(s).
5. Answer the question: Have you submitted your complaint to MHA? It is required that you submit your complaint to MHA and allow MHA an opportunity to resolve the complaint prior to submitting your complaint with EHS.
6. If the answer selected is Yes, you have submitted your complaint to MHA, then continue providing the date the complaint was submitted to MHA, work order #, and complaint details.
7. If the answer selected is No, you have not submitted your complaint to MHA. You will be directed to contact MHA Resident Services by calling 415-390-2094 to obtain your work order # to continue submitting your complaint to EHS.
8. If available, please download photos pertaining to the violation(s) and/or repairs identified in this complaint by clicking on the box below.

Submit Complaint