Rental Housing Safety Program

About the Program

In 2019, the Modesto City Council passed Ordinance 3703, creating a citywide Rental Housing Safety Program. If you own a residential rental housing unit that you rent out, you are responsible for ensuring that your units meet housing safety standards. 

How to Register Your Rental Property

All residential rental properties are required to be registered with the City of Modesto.  Owners are required to update their registration whenever there is a change of ownership or contact information. You can register your property online by submitting the form below, or you may fill out and mail in the printable PDF form.

Fees

There are no fees to register a rental property.  Failure to register your rental property may result in penalties

City of Modesto Periodic Audit Inspections

This program also requires that all residential rental housing units undergo periodic inspections to ensure proper maintenance and to prevent situations that could adversely affect the quality of life in the City. To accomplish this, the ordinance requires an annual audit of up to ten (10) percent of the rental housing units.  

Property owners will be notified by the City of Modesto Building Safety Division by mail if their rental unit has been selected for an audit inspection. Upon completion of the Audit inspection, a $100 inspection fee per unit to be inspected will be invoiced.  A unit shall not pass inspection until the fee is paid to the City of Modesto.

  1. Fair Housing & Complaints
  2. Frequently Asked Questions

Fair Housing

Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, familial status (presence of children), age, or physical disability. If a housing provider discriminates against someone based on any of these factors, that person has the right to seek help. 

If you feel you have experienced housing discrimination, there are resources available to you:

Residents may submit a complaint to the City of Modesto.