Cal. Civ. Code § 410.600
Inspection upon Request
Operative Text
(A) The board of health shall inspect a dwelling unit or rooming unit and common areas upon
receipt of a written, oral, telephonic, or electronic request for inspection from an occupant of that
dwelling or rooming unit. The board of health shall conduct this inspection regardless of
whether:
(1) The occupant requesting the inspection has previously notified the owner of the alleged
condition;
(2) There is an eviction, litigation, or other dispute pending between the owner and the
occupant; or
(3) The occupant requesting the inspection is anonymous or requests the board of health
keep their name confidential.
(B) The board of health shall investigate complaints or requests for inspection concerning a
residence received from a person who is not an occupant of that residence to determine if there
is sufficient cause for an inspection. The investigation may consist of a visual assessment from
a public way, record review, or contact with the occupants, owners, managers and/or
maintenance staff by telephone or in person. Upon completion of the investigation, the board
of health shall either conduct an inspection or, if it determines there is no justification for an
inspection, record the decision as required by 105 CMR 410.600(D).
(C) The board of health shall use its best efforts to schedule and complete an inspection at a
time mutually satisfactory to the occupant and the board of health.
(1) The inspection shall be conducted within one business day after the receipt of a request
if alleged conditions include violations enumerated in 105 CMR 410.630(A).
(2) The inspection shall be conducted within five business days after receipt of a request if
alleged conditions do not include any of the violations enumerated in 105 CMR 410.630(A).
(D) The board of health shall keep a record of all requests for inspections, which shall include,
but need not be limited to, the following:
(1) Name of the person requesting the inspection if provided, which may be kept
confidential by the board of health;
(2) Time and date of each request;
(3) Location of the residence;
(4) The nature of the alleged violation(s);
(5) Date the inspection is conducted; and
(6) Any decision not to conduct an inspection requested by a person who is not an occupant.Under 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.600, the local board of health is required to inspect a dwelling or rooming unit when an occupant submits a request — whether written, oral, by phone, or electronically — regardless of any pending eviction, litigation, or dispute between the owner and occupant, and even if the requesting occupant wishes to remain anonymous. When a complaint comes from someone who is not an occupant, the board must first investigate to determine whether a full inspection is warranted. Inspections must generally be completed within one business day for the most serious alleged conditions, or within five business days for other concerns, and the board must maintain records of all requests and outcomes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should be aware that under 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.600, a board of health inspection can be triggered by an occupant's request at any time — including during an active eviction or legal dispute — without the occupant first notifying the owner. Compliant operators typically maintain properties in a condition that can withstand inspection on short notice, particularly for conditions that fall under the emergency category referenced in 105 CMR 410.630(A), which require a board response within one business day. Keeping open lines of communication with tenants about maintenance concerns is a practice commonly associated with reducing the likelihood of formal inspection requests.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.600, occupants have the right to request a board of health inspection of their dwelling or rooming unit through any means — written, oral, phone, or electronic — and the board is required to conduct that inspection even if an eviction or other dispute is ongoing, and even if the occupant requests anonymity. For conditions that may qualify as serious violations under 105 CMR 410.630(A), the board is expected to respond within one business day, while other concerns must be addressed within five business days. Tenants who want to understand their options may consider contacting their local board of health directly, reaching out to a tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a housing attorney familiar with Massachusetts sanitary code enforcement.
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 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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