Cal. Civ. Code § 17981
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
An enforcement agency which institutes any action or proceeding pursuant to this article may, by verified complaint setting forth the facts, apply to the superior court for an order granting the relief for which the action or proceeding is brought until the entry of a final judgment or order.
California Health & Safety Code § 17981 authorizes an enforcement agency to seek a temporary court order from the superior court while a housing enforcement action is still ongoing. The agency does this by filing a verified complaint that lays out the relevant facts, and the court may grant interim relief before any final judgment is reached. This mechanism allows enforcement to have legal effect during the pendency of a case, not just after it concludes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17981, a compliant property operator understands that an enforcement agency does not have to wait for a final court ruling to obtain legally binding relief. Operators who receive notice of an enforcement action should be aware that interim court orders may impose obligations or restrictions during the proceedings. Property managers generally maintain records and respond promptly to agency communications to demonstrate good-faith efforts toward compliance throughout any pending action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17981 means that a government enforcement agency acting on housing violations can ask a court for immediate, temporary relief on a tenant's behalf even before a case is fully resolved. Tenants who are aware of ongoing enforcement actions in their building may inquire with their local code enforcement office or a tenant-rights organization to understand what interim protections may be in place. If conditions remain hazardous, tenants can also explore filing complaints with the relevant enforcement agency to prompt or support the kind of court action this provision describes.
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
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