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Merced council adopts multiunit inspection procedure policy required by state law
Summary
City Council voted unanimously to adopt a city policy implementing state requirements for multiunit residential inspections under AB 548/Health & Safety Code §179970.7; council asked staff to revisit specific time‑frame language after public feedback.
The Merced City Council unanimously adopted a formal inspection‑procedure policy March 16 to implement requirements of Assembly Bill 548 as codified in California Health & Safety Code section 179970.7.
City Attorney Craig Cornwall and staff said the policy establishes an objective inspection checklist and a process for documenting substandard units, determining whether adjoining units require inspection, issuing notices of violation and tracking re‑inspections. The policy is designed to align the city’s procedures with state law and to provide consistent criteria for code enforcement and building inspectors.
Tenant advocates and councilmembers pressed staff to add more specific timelines for drafting notices, setting cure periods and scheduling reinspections. Councilmember Harris and others argued for fixed expectations (for example, a target 30‑day window to issue a notice and a prompt re‑inspection), while the city attorney and chief cautioned that rigid deadlines can be hard to meet given reliance on contractors and the variety of repair types. City manager McBride said notices to tenants will include time frames for corrective actions and staff will work to provide status updates when repairs are delayed.
Councilmember Smith moved and the council approved resolution 2026‑17 establishing the inspection‑procedure policy; the motion passed unanimously. Staff and councilmembers said they will return with any targeted revisions on time‑frame language after implementation experience and consultation with enforcement staff.
The adopted policy requires code enforcement to document violations, determine when adjoining‑unit inspections are necessary, and maintain inspection records. It does not itself add new fines but clarifies the city’s process for inspection, notice and subsequent remedies under existing law.
