Register Your Rental 

If the online Rental Property Registration form is not working, please print the form and return by mail.

• The City of Davis requires all rental properties to be registered with the Rental Resource Program according to Article 18.11 of the Davis Municipal Code. No owner may rent a single-family or multi -family rental unit to a tenant unless it is registered with the city (18.11.040 18.11.050).      

• Every time contact information for the owner(s) or the property manager changes, this information needs to be updated through the Property Owners Registration form online within 60 days except when there is a change in ownership then the owner(s) shall comply with Section 18.11.110.

   

• Owners who live more than 50 miles from Davis, will need to add contact information for a person or property manager living within 50 miles of Davis when registering. This must be a person who has full authority to act on behalf of the owner and cannot be a tenant.

• For exemptions to the registration requirement (18.11.030), please fill out the Standard Rental Licensing Exemption Affidavit and return it to the Rental Resources Program for determination of approval.

Forms and Notifications

The following forms and notifications must be provided to tenants by landlords or property managers.

• Prior to commencement of a tenancy and/or lease renewal of a rental unit, owner must provide tenant(s) with information regarding Renters' Rights and Responsibilities on a form provided by or approved by the City. 

• Within five business days of the commencement of a tenancy, the owner/agent and tenant(s) shall conduct an inspection of the property using the Move In/Move Out Checklist provided by the City or on a form approved by the City. Within ten days of completion of the move-in inspection, the owner shall provide a copy of the completed and signed rental housing move-in inspection form to each tenant. The signed form does not need to be submitted to the city, but should be retained by the owner and the tenant(s) for the duration of the tenancy.

• In addition, landlords and property manager must ensure they are keeping up to date with notifications required by the state that must also be provided to tenants.  For more information about this, please refer to the California Tenants’ Handbook which was last updated in 2020. For more recent notifications, please refer to “What Disclosures Do Landlords in California Need to Give Tenants?” from NOLO.com. For a quick chart, please refer to Mandatory Landlord Disclosures.

Maintenance of Rental Property

• Landlords and property managers are required to maintain their rental unit in a condition fit for the “occupation of human beings.” In addition, the rental unit must “substantially comply” with building and housing code standards that materially affect tenants’ health and safety.

• Landlords and property managers are required to ensure their exterior property is free from blight.

• It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or allow on his or her premises leaky or faulty water fixtures or water using or distributing devices to which city water is connected, so that city water is wasted thereby. The failure to repair or disconnect such faulty device shall be sufficient cause for the disconnection of city water from such premises by the director of public works until such repairs have been made and after such disconnection, water shall be reconnected only in accordance with the provisions of Section 39.02.140. (Code 1964 § 8-2.403)

 According to Davis Municipal Code 18.11:

• “If the owner does not reside in the area, the owner must provide emergency contact information, including a manager within fifty miles of the city, with full authority to act on behalf of the owner, which cannot be a tenant of the single-family rental unit.”

•  "If the owner does not reside in the area, the owner must provide emergency contact information, including a local contact for a manager within fifty miles of the city, with full authority to act on behalf of the owner, which cannot be a tenant of the multifamily rental unit.”

Annual Rental Resources Fees

• Single-Family (1-4 units) fees are billed on the January City Services invoice.  The fees listed on the bill are titled Rental Resources Fee and total $60 which includes:
  • $25 Single-Family Business License fee
  • $30 Single-Family Rental Program fee
  • $50 Single-Family Inspection Program fee

• Multi-Family fees are included on the annual Business License Renewal invoice and pay on a graduated scale depending on the number of units. The amount listed is the total fee owed, not a per unit cost.
  • 5-10 units: $40
  • 11-20 Units: $50
  • 21-50 Units: $70
  • 51-100 Units: $90
  • 101+ Units: $100

For questions about business licenses, please contact  financeweb@cityofdavis.org or 530-757-5651.

The Rental Resources Program fees cannot be passed onto the tenant in accordance with 18.11.050 (a) (1) of the Davis Municipal Code. 

Inspections

Single-Family units are required to participate in a random inspection program. The purpose of the inspection program is to ensure the unit is safe and habitable.

• Inspections may occur on a periodic basis with random audits, if a complaint is received or at City staff direction.

• The City will conduct a random compliance audit to determine if all required documents and fees have been completed and properly submitted or retained, including the registration form, the completed and signed move-in inspection form, and registration and inspection fees. The City may also verify that the property has no record of outstanding code violations. In the event the City determines that an owner is not in compliance with any of these items as a result of a random compliance audit, the rental unit shall be inspected by the City.

  
  

• In addition to the random compliance audits, the City will be authorized to conduct an inspection of rental properties at any time deemed necessary to assure compliance with all applicable state and local laws.

• A Building Inspector will inspect interior and exterior conditions. The focus will be on identifying substandard conditions that do not meet minimum standards as established by state and local laws. The owner/agent and tenants may be present during the inspection.

• If the inspection reveals any state and/or local code violations, the owner/agent will receive a Notice of Violation noting the items needing correction. If the property passes inspection, they will be issued a Rental Housing Inspection Certification.

2025 Education and Events 

Landlord Education Forum - Changes in Landlord/Tenant Laws on July 29, 2025

Changes in Landlord/Tenant Laws on July 29, 2025

Video Presentation Changes in Landlord/Tenant Laws July 29, 2025

2023 Education and Events 

 Landlord Education Forum - Fair Housing on May 22 & June 14 

Landlord Education Forum – Fair Housing

Landlord Engagement Event on April 25

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Landlord Education Forum - Security Deposits on April 18

Landlord Property Manager Security Deposits

Landlord Education Forum - An In-depth Look at Leases on February 21

Landlord Education Forum - Leases