Cal. Civ. Code § 17971
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
The owner, or authorized agent of any owner, of any building or premises may enter the building or premises whenever necessary to carry out any instructions, or perform any work required to be done pursuant to this part, the building standards published in the State Building Standards Code, and other rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this part.
California Health & Safety Code § 17971 establishes that a property owner, or someone acting on the owner's behalf, has the legal authority to enter a building or premises when entry is needed to follow official instructions or complete work required under the state's housing and building standards laws. The provision ties the right of entry directly to compliance obligations — meaning entry is authorized when it serves the purpose of meeting regulatory requirements, not for general or unrelated purposes. This rule operates within the broader framework of California's building standards and housing regulations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17971, compliant operators generally ensure that any entry made for the purpose of carrying out required repairs, inspections, or code-compliance work is clearly connected to an obligation arising under state building or housing standards. Authorized agents — such as contractors or property managers — may exercise this entry right on the owner's behalf, provided their entry is tied to fulfilling a specific regulatory requirement. Operators typically document the nature of required work and the basis for entry to demonstrate that access was taken within the scope this provision allows.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17971 defines a specific, limited basis on which an owner or their agent may enter a rental property — namely, to carry out work or instructions required under state building and housing standards. Tenants should be aware that this provision does not override other California laws governing notice requirements for landlord entry, and an entry that falls outside the scope of required compliance work may not be authorized under this section. Tenants who believe entry rights are being exercised improperly can look into filing a complaint with a local code enforcement agency, raising the issue with a rent board if one exists in their jurisdiction, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information.
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.
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