Cal. Civ. Code § 38-12-1003
Bed bugs - inspections - treatments - costs.
Operative Text
(1) If a landlord obtains an inspection for bed bugs, the landlord must provide written notice to the tenant within two business days after the inspection indicating whether the dwelling unit contains bed bugs. (2) If a qualified inspector conducting an inspection determines that neither the dwelling unit nor any contiguous dwelling unit contains bed bugs, the notice provided by the landlord pursuant to subsection (1) of this section must inform the tenant that if the tenant remains concerned that the dwelling unit contains bed bugs, the tenant may contact the local health department to report such concerns. (3) If a qualified inspector conducting an inspection determines that a dwelling unit or any contiguous dwelling unit contains bed bugs in any stage of the life cycle, the qualified inspector shall provide a report of the determination to the landlord within twenty-four hours; except that, for any such determination that is made by a qualified inspector licensed by the commissioner of agriculture pursuant to article 10 of title 35, the qualified inspector shall provide the report in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner of agriculture pursuant to said article 10. Not later than five business days after the date of the inspection, the landlord shall commence reasonable measures, as determined by the qualified inspector, to effectively treat the bed bug presence, including retaining the services of a pest control agent to treat the dwelling unit and any contiguous dwelling unit. (4) Except as otherwise provided in this part 10, a landlord is responsible for all costs associated with an inspection for, and treatment of, bed bugs. Nothing in this section prohibits a tenant from contacting any agency at any time concerning the presence of bed bugs.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-12-1003, when a landlord arranges a bed bug inspection, the results must be communicated to the tenant in writing within two business days. If bed bugs are found in the unit or an adjacent unit, the landlord must begin reasonable treatment measures — including hiring a pest control professional — within five business days of the inspection. With limited exceptions, the landlord bears all costs for both the inspection and the treatment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1003 places clear procedural and financial obligations on property operators who conduct bed bug inspections. A compliant operator delivers written notice of inspection results to the tenant within two business days, and if bed bugs are confirmed anywhere in the affected or adjoining units, retains a qualified pest control agent and commences treatment within five business days. Operators also cover all associated inspection and treatment costs, except where the statute expressly provides otherwise.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1003 gives tenants the right to receive written notice of bed bug inspection results within two business days and, if an infestation is found, to have the landlord begin remediation at the landlord's expense within five business days. If an inspection comes back negative but concerns remain, tenants are entitled to be informed in writing that they may contact the local health department. Tenants may also reach out to any relevant agency at any time about bed bug concerns, and tenant-rights organizations can help explain available options if a landlord does not meet these obligations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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