Barstow, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 5.91 § 5.91.090

(a) Owners of all residential rental units shall obtain and maintain a valid and current certificate of compliance. All residential rental units that do not have a certificate of compliance, and their owners, shall be in violation of this chapter.
(b) A certificate of compliance shall be issued for all residential rental units upon completion of the following:
(1) The residential rental unit property has been inspected an approved by the building official or designee.
(2) Any existing code violations have been corrected and/or repaired with proper permits and inspections.
(3) The repair request form and maintenance request log is complete and approved by the building official. On properties with an on-site manager's unit or a management office, the maintenance request log shall be maintained at that location. On properties with no on-site manager's unit or management office, it shall be maintained at a location designated by the building official. The maintenance log shall at all times be available for review when requested by the building official or designee.
(4) The residential rental unit property is posted as follows:
(i) One to four units. A property management posting a sign as defined in section 5.91.030 , above shall be posted in a prominent outdoor location and in a manner approved by the building official. If the property owner as a private individual manages the unit(s), no posting is required. However, contact information must be identified on the registration application. Any change in contact information shall be made within 30 days of the change. Failure to update the contact information shall be considered a violation of this Code.
(ii) Five or more units. The onsite manager unit or management office, if any, shall be identified in a manner approved by the building official. A property management posting sign as defined shall be posted in a prominent outdoor location and in a manner approved by the building official.
(5) All residential rental unit registration and inspection fees are paid in full.
(6) A current complete registration application is on file with the building official.
(c) Issuance of a certificate of compliance shall not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the habitability or complete compliance with the city housing and property maintenance standards, including, but not limited to, the California Residential Code, Uniform Building Code and local codes, and the occupant of any residential rental unit shall not rely on the certificate of compliance as such a guarantee or warranty. The certificate of compliance shall contain a notice to this effect. The city shall not assume any liability to any person by reason of the inspections required by this chapter or the issuance of a certificate of compliance. Certificates of compliance shall expire on the expiration date shown on the certificate and shall be renewed prior to such date. The building official shall determine the expiration dates of certificates of compliance and inspection frequency based upon the nature of violations found during the residential rental unit inspections, the following registration and inspection frequency schedule, in conjunction with his review of past compliance violations within the preceding 12 months.
Registration and inspection frequency schedule.
Single family or detached.
• New construction--certificate of occupancy issued within the preceding six months: No registration fee.
One year.
• Conversion of existing unit(s): Registration fees at 100 percent.
One year.
• No violations: Registration fees due as prescribed in the master fee schedule. Each year. After two years of no violations, inspections may be extended to two years. Registration fee may be reduced by 50 percent.
• Violations: Registration fees at 100 percent.
One year.
Multiple family--Three units and above.
• New construction or conversion of existing units--Certificate of occupancy issued within the preceding six months: Registration fees at 100 percent.
One year.
• No violations: Registration fees due as prescribed in the master fee schedule. Each year. After two years of no violations, inspections may be extended to two years. Registration fee may be reduced by 50 percent.
• Violations: Registration fees at 100 percent.
One year.