About the Program
The Rental Housing Inspection Program (RHIP) was designed to inspect all residential rental properties within the unincorporated area of Sacramento County on a routine and comprehensive basis to assure the overall quality of the rental unit meets the requirements of the Health and Safety Code. This includes educating property owners, property managers and tenants about those requirements. Refer to the checklist on
How to Comply with the Rental Housing Inspection Program.
Each rental property is required to be registered with the program. Should the property consist of multiple parcels, a separate registration form is needed for each parcel. Properties not registered are subject to administrative penalties. The Sacramento County Code 16.20.400 allows for property owners that meet the minimum requirements to self-certify their properties. The property owner can request for inspections conducted by Code Enforcement. Cost recovery fees may be applied when violations are found. Some rental properties may be exempt from the inspection portion of the program, and owners can complete the Application for Exemption from inspection form online; provide proof of exemption; and complete the
RHIP Registration Form online.
If the property is no longer a rental and is considered owner occupied, you must still complete an Exemption form online and provide proof of the exemption.
What to Expect
Do You Have Rental Property in Sacramento County? Learn what to expect for the first steps of the Sacramento County Rental Property Audit Process.
Property owners approved for self-certification
Property owners are subject to random audits by Code Enforcement. The property owner and manager (if applicable) will be notified of the inspection date and timeframe when selected for an audit. Required documentation must be available for review at the scheduled time. An exterior inspection of the property will also be done, and if necessary, a random unit inspection will occur. Based on the audit inspection findings the property will either be “Cycle Completed” or be referred for a property inspection.
Property owners without self-certification
Property owners and managers (if applicable) will be notified by letter advising of the scheduled inspection date, which will occur a minimum of 14 days from the date of the letter, unless there are priority violations found. If the property is a multi-family property, a secondary notice may be posted at the site to inform tenants of the upcoming inspection. Properties not meeting the minimum health and safety code requirements will be given a Notice of Violation and a correction date for re-inspection to ensure compliance. Cost recovery fees are applied when violations are found.
How to Register/File Exemption
Begin the process to register your rental property. If the property is already registered and the information on file is no longer accurate, you must complete a Registration Form.
If the property is believed to be exempt from Rental Housing inspections, please
complete an exemption form online and provide the required documentation.
Fees
Annually, the required Rental Housing Code Compliance (RHCC) fee is assessed as part of the County Utility Bill. The fee is $16.00 per rental unit, per year and normally part of the first utility bill of the year. If your property is no longer a rental unit, complete the RHIP Exemption Form online.
*Please note: Properties not covered under the County Utility Billing Department, the RHCC fee will be assessed by the Department of Revenue & Recovery.
Training
As part of the Rental Housing Inspection Program, the California Apartment Association provides a County approved Self-Certification training course that is required for all persons conducting their own inspections on behalf of the property owner. At the end of the course the attendee is given a certification that is valid for 5 years. Learn more at Education • California Apartment Association (caanet.org).
Contact us
RHIP@saccounty.gov
916-876-9020 phone / 916-874-8409 fax
10481 Armstrong Ave, Suite 110
Mather, CA 95655
Forms
Additional Information
Agencies/Resources
Sacramento County Fair Housing Resources
Tenants and landlords seeking help with disputes, legal advice or other housing related information and regulations can find helpful resources at
Sacramento County’s Fair Housing web portal. Fair Housing laws include the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, and also prohibit certain forms of discrimination in the sale and rental of housing.
