Substandard housing: regulations.

(1) Existing law specifies that any building, including any dwelling unit, shall be deemed to be a substandard building when a health officer determines that, among other things, an infestation of insects, vermin, or rodents exists to the extent that it endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the public or its occupants, or there is a lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities. This bill would authorize a local enforcement agency, including an environmental agency, housing department, or building department, to make these determinations, as specified, in addition to a health officer. (2) Existing law provides that the housing or building department of every city, county, or city and county is required to enforce within its jurisdiction all of the State Housing Law. Existing law further provides that the health department of every city, county, or city and county, or any environmental agency or local building department, may enforce regulations related to lead hazards, as specified, and is required to coordinate enforcement activities with other interested departments and agencies in order to avoid unnecessary duplication. This bill would specify that a local housing department is authorized to enforce regulations related to lead hazards.