Cal. Civ. Code § 17920.6
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
As used in this part, “housing appeals board” means the board or agency of a city or county which is authorized by the governing body of the city or county to hear appeals regarding the requirements of the city or county relating to the use, maintenance, and change of occupancy of hotels, motels, lodginghouses, apartment houses, and dwellings, or portions thereof, and buildings and structures accessory thereto, including requirements governing alteration, additions, repair, demolition, and moving of such buildings if also authorized to hear such appeals. In any area in which there is not such a board or agency, “housing appeals board” means the local appeals board having jurisdiction over such area.
California Health & Safety Code § 17920.6 establishes what the term 'housing appeals board' means within the state's housing law framework. It refers to the local city or county body authorized to hear appeals about rules governing the use, maintenance, occupancy changes, and physical alterations of residential and lodging properties. Where no such dedicated body exists, the role falls to whatever local appeals board has jurisdiction over that area.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17920.6, property owners and managers operating hotels, motels, apartment houses, or other dwellings should identify the correct local body empowered to hear housing-related appeals in their jurisdiction. A compliant operator generally confirms whether their city or county has a designated housing appeals board or whether appeals route through a general local appeals board. Knowing which body holds authority under § 17920.6 is a foundational step in navigating any formal appeal of local housing requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17920.6 defines the 'housing appeals board' as the local body that can hear challenges to city or county housing requirements affecting properties like apartments, hotels, and dwellings. Tenants who believe a local housing requirement has been misapplied or violated may have a path to raise concerns before this board, whether it is a dedicated housing appeals body or a general local appeals board with jurisdiction under § 17920.6. Tenant-rights organizations in your area can help identify which board applies and what procedural options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.