Cal. Civ. Code § 17995.3

California Health and Safety Code

In Force
Verified 6/11/2026 · Next check 7/11/2026
CaliforniaHabitability & Repair

Operative Text

Cal. Civ. Code § 17995.3
Any person who is convicted pursuant to Section 17995 for a second or subsequent time within a five-year period for violations at the same property where such violations are determined by the trier of fact to be so extensive and of such a nature that the immediate health and safety of residents or the public is endangered and where the extent and nature of the violations are due to the defendant’s habitual neglect of customary maintenance and display a flagrant lack of concern for the health and safety of residents and the public, shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) and by imprisonment of not less than six months but not exceeding one year, provided also that the trier of fact finds at least four serious violations of the following categories of violations are involved:
(a)
Termination, extended interruption or serious defects of gas, water or electric utility systems provided such interruptions or termination is not caused by the tenant’s failure to pay such gas, water or electric bills.
(b)
Serious defects or lack of adequate space and water heating.
(c)
Serious rodent, vermin or insect infestation.
(d)
Severe deterioration, rendering significant portions of the structure unsafe or unsanitary.
(e)
Inadequate numbers of garbage receptacles or service.
(f)
Unsanitary conditions affecting a significant portion of the structure as a result of faulty plumbing or sewage disposal.
(g)
Inoperable hallway lighting.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

California Health & Safety Code § 17995.3 establishes enhanced criminal penalties for property owners who are convicted a second or subsequent time within five years for housing violations at the same property, when those violations stem from habitual neglect and pose an immediate danger to residents or the public. To trigger these heightened penalties, a judge or jury must find at least four serious violations drawn from a defined list of categories — such as utility failures, rodent infestations, structural deterioration, or sewage problems — that are not attributable to tenant conduct. A qualifying conviction can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and a jail sentence ranging from six months to one year.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on September 3, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17995.3, operators who have a prior housing-code conviction face significantly steeper criminal exposure if a second conviction at the same property occurs within five years and involves the specific aggravating factors the statute describes. Compliant property managers generally maintain continuous utility service, conduct routine pest control, address structural deterioration promptly, ensure adequate garbage service, and keep common-area lighting functional — precisely the categories enumerated in § 17995.3. Maintaining documented maintenance logs and responding to repair requests in a timely manner are practices commonly associated with operators who avoid the pattern of habitual neglect that this provision targets.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17995.3 reflects California's recognition that repeat, serious housing-code violations — including utility shutoffs, infestations, structural decay, and sewage failures — can rise to the level of criminal conduct when they reflect a landlord's ongoing disregard for resident safety. Tenants who observe conditions falling into the categories listed in § 17995.3 may report them to their local code enforcement agency or building department, which can initiate inspections and refer matters for prosecution. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help residents understand how documented violations at a property may be relevant to rent board complaints, habitability defenses, or other available remedies.

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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Related Rules

§ 8.60.130
Severability
§ 15.12.010
Definitions
§ 15.12.240
Temporary housing

Source Information