Protecting Tenants from Unsafe Living Conditions

Learn how to identify unsafe housing, understand your rights, and take action in Riverside County.

Riverside County, like many parts of California, faces a severe shortage of affordable housing. Unfortunately, some property owners take advantage of this crisis, leaving tenants in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. This page helps you recognize these situations, understand your legal options, and connect with resources that can help.

Common Unsafe Housing Situations

Urban Housing Concerns

  • Leases signed before tenants can view the property.
  • Cockroach or rodent infestations.
  • Plumbing or sewage leaks.
  • Mold in walls and ceilings.
  • Neglected outdoor spaces filled with debris.

  • And more

Rural Housing Concerns

  • Dilapidated mobile homes in unpermitted parks.
  • Unsafe water supplies (possible contamination).
  • DIY electrical systems prone to failure.
  • Septic systems that overflow during rain.
  • Lack of trash service leading to waste buildup and pests.

  • And more

Know Your Rights

If you live in a city within Riverside County, City Code Enforcement can inspect properties, issue violations, and levy fines. Filing a complaint starts the process — without one, there may be no citation, and landlords often claim nothing needs to be fixed. If you need more information or would like to attend a Know Your Rights Workshop, click here or call (951) 888- 2039.

List of City Code Enforcement Agencies in Riverside County

If you’re experiencing unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions, your city’s Code Enforcement Division can inspect the property and issue violations. Filing a complaint is often the first step.

Banning

📞 (951) 922‑3180
🌐 Banning Code Enforcement

Beaumont

📞 (951) 769‑8520
🌐 Beaumont Code Enforcement

Cathedral City

📞 (760) 770‑0340
🌐 Cathedral City Code Compliance

Coachella

📞 (760) 398‑3502
🌐 Coachella Code Enforcement

Corona

📞 (951) 739‑4970
🌐 Corona Code Enforcement

Desert Hot Springs

📞 (760) 329‑6411 ext. 335
🌐 DHS Code Compliance

Hemet

📞 (951) 765‑2339
🌐 Hemet Code Enforcement

Indio

📞 (760) 391‑4123
🌐 Indio Code Enforcement

Jurupa Valley

📞 (951) 332‑6464
🌐 Jurupa Valley Code Enforcement

La Quinta

📞 (760) 777‑7000
🌐 La Quinta Code Compliance

Menifee

📞 (951) 723‑1500
🌐 Menifee Code Enforcement

Moreno Valley

📞 (951) 413‑3340
🌐 Moreno Valley Code Compliance

Murrieta

📞 (951) 461‑6330
🌐 Murrieta Code Enforcement

Palm Desert

📞 (760) 776‑6360
🌐 Palm Desert Code Compliance

Palm Springs

📞 (760) 322‑8380
🌐 Palm Springs Code Compliance

Perris

📞 (951) 385‑4131
🌐 Perris Code Enforcement

Rancho Mirage

📞 (760) 324‑4511
🌐 Rancho Mirage Code Enforcement

Riverside (City)

📞 (951) 826‑5633
🌐 Riverside Code Enforcement

San Jacinto

📞 (951) 487‑7330
🌐 San Jacinto Code Enforcement

Temecula

📞 (951) 694‑6444
🌐 Temecula Code Enforcement

Unincorporated Riverside County: 📞 (951) 955‑2004  |  🌐 Riverside County Code Enforcement

State Legal Action Against Negligent Landlords

The California Attorney General has taken legal action against certain landlords for unsafe conditions.

Protecting Yourself from Retaliation

Landlords cannot threaten you or withhold repairs as retaliation. If your landlord:

  • Threatens to call immigration or CPS.
  • Ignores serious health and safety issues.
  • Intimidates you for reporting problems.

You can file anonymous complaints with your local code enforcement department.

If you are living in unsafe housing, we can help.