Cal. Civ. Code § 36-7-9-3
Ordinances adopting this chapter
Operative Text
Sec. 3. The legislative body of a municipality or county may adopt this chapter by ordinance. The ordinance must specify the executive department of the unit responsible for the administration of this chapter or establish such a department. However, in a municipality in which a commissioner of buildings was appointed to administer IC 18-5-5 (before its repeal on September 1, 1981), the commissioner of buildings is responsible for the administration of this chapter. The ordinance must also incorporate by reference the definition of "substantial property interest" in this chapter. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.28. Amended by Acts 1982, P.L.33, SEC.34; P.L.3-1990, SEC.126.
Indiana Code § 36-7-9-3 establishes the process by which a municipality or county may bring a specific state chapter on property standards into local effect through a formal ordinance. That ordinance must identify or create the local executive department that will oversee the chapter's administration, and it must incorporate by reference the chapter's definition of 'substantial property interest.' A special historical rule applies where a commissioner of buildings was already appointed under a prior law: that commissioner automatically takes on administrative responsibility without further action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 36-7-9-3, whether this chapter applies in a given locality depends on whether the local legislative body has adopted it by ordinance. Compliant property operators generally identify which local executive department has been designated as the administering authority in their municipality or county, since that department is the point of contact for inspections, notices, and compliance matters. Knowing which agency holds authority under the adopting ordinance helps operators respond appropriately to any enforcement activity.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 36-7-9-3 means that the protections and procedures of this chapter are only in force in localities where the governing body has passed an adopting ordinance. Tenants can check with their local government or a tenant-rights organization to determine whether their municipality or county has adopted this chapter and which department administers it. If the chapter is in effect locally, that designated department is generally the body to contact when raising concerns about property conditions covered by the chapter.
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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