Cal. Civ. Code § 16-41-20-4
Orders to vacate dwellings
Operative Text
Sec. 4. Whenever the state department, the local board of health, or county health officer determines that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation, the state department, local board of health, or county health officer may issue an order requiring all persons living in the dwelling to vacate the dwelling within not less than five (5) days and not more than fifteen (15) days. The order must mention at least one (1) reason for the order.
Under Ind. Code § 16-41-20-4, when a state or local health authority determines that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation, it has the power to issue a formal order requiring all occupants to leave. The order must give residents between five and fifteen days to vacate, and it must state at least one reason justifying the action. This provision establishes both the authority to compel evacuation and the minimum procedural requirements that must accompany such an order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Ind. Code § 16-41-20-4 means that property owners whose units are found unfit for human habitation can face a government-issued vacate order, giving occupants as few as five days to leave. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in a condition that meets habitability standards so that health authorities have no basis to issue such an order. Landlords who receive a vacate order should take note of the stated reason(s), as those findings typically signal specific conditions that must be remediated before the dwelling can be reoccupied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 16-41-20-4 gives tenants the assurance that any official order to vacate must come with a written reason and must allow at least five days—but no more than fifteen—to leave the dwelling. If you receive such an order, reviewing the stated reason(s) can help you understand what health authority made the determination and on what grounds. Tenants facing a vacate order may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand what options exist, including whether the order was properly issued and what relocation or other remedies may be available.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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