Barstow, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 5.91 § 5.91.010

The City Council of the City of Barstow finds and declares that there exist in the City of Barstow substandard and unsanitary residential buildings and dwelling units with the physical conditions and characteristics of which violate state and local housing and technical codes and render them unfit or unsafe for human occupancy and habitation, and which are detrimental to or jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of their occupants and the public.
The city council further finds and declares that the existence of such substandard buildings and dwelling units threatens the physical, social, and economic stability of sound institutions, necessitates disproportionate expenditures of public funds for remedial action; and destroys the amenity of residential areas and neighborhoods and of the community as a whole. The city council has determined requiring all properties within the City of Barstow with rental residential units to be registered with the city and inspected serves these legitimate governmental interests.
For these reasons, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the City of Barstow: (a)
That it is in the public interest of the people of Barstow to protect and promote the existence of sound and wholesome residential buildings, dwelling units, and neighborhoods by the adoption and enforcement of such standards, regulations, and procedures as will remedy the existence or prevent the development or creation of dangerous, substandard, or unsanitary and deficient residential buildings and dwelling units; and
(b) That the adoption of this chapter protects and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Barstow.
It is further the intent that the inspection requirements will be self-funded by the required annual regulatory permit fee as per the master fee schedule.