Cal. Civ. Code § 17980.4
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
(a) Whenever the enforcement agency sues for the expenses involved in the execution of any order, it may join in the same suit and claim any civil remedy for the violation of any provisions of this chapter. Joint or several judgments may be had against one or more of the defendants in the suit, as they or any of them may be liable in respect of all or any of these claims. The expenses of executing the order, and any judgment in any abatement suit provided for in this chapter, and the several judgments that may be recovered for any of these expenses and judgments, until the same are paid or discharged, shall be a lien like other judgments, pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 697.010) of Division 2 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (b) Nothing in this section or in Sections 17980.1 to 17980.3, inclusive, shall be deemed to relieve the owner of any civil or criminal liability incurred or any duty imposed by reason of acts or omissions of the owner prior to the appointment of any receiver, nor shall anything contained to those sections be construed to suspend during the receivership any obligation of the owner for the payment of taxes or operating and maintenance expenses of the dwelling or any obligation of the owner or any other person for the payment of mortgages or liens. The remedies pursuant to this section or Sections 17980.1 to 17980.3, inclusive, shall be in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
California Health & Safety Code § 17980.4 establishes that when an enforcement agency pursues legal action to recover the costs of carrying out a housing-code compliance order, it may simultaneously seek other civil remedies for related violations in the same lawsuit. Any resulting judgments — including those for abatement expenses — attach as liens against property in the same manner as other civil judgments under California law. Importantly, the provision makes clear that a property owner's pre-existing civil or criminal liabilities, tax obligations, mortgage payments, and other duties are not erased or paused by enforcement proceedings or a receivership; the remedies available under § 17980.4 stack on top of whatever other legal remedies already exist.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17980.4, a compliant property owner understands that enforcement agency lawsuits can bundle cost-recovery claims with broader civil remedy claims in a single action, and that judgments can be entered jointly or severally against multiple responsible parties. Operators generally keep current on taxes, mortgage obligations, and maintenance costs because § 17980.4 explicitly preserves those duties even when a receiver has been appointed. Property managers familiar with this provision also recognize that unresolved code violations can result in judgment liens attaching to the property, making early remediation of habitability issues a standard part of risk management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17980.4 reinforces that tenants and enforcement agencies are not limited to a single legal avenue when a property owner fails to comply with housing orders — multiple remedies can be pursued simultaneously, and the owner's obligations do not disappear during any receivership period. Tenants living in properties subject to enforcement actions may find it useful to contact their local code enforcement or rent board to understand how ongoing proceedings under § 17980.4 could affect their housing situation. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how lien provisions and cumulative remedies under this section may relate to broader habitability protections available under California law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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