Cal. Civ. Code § 17995.2
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
Any person found in contempt of a court order or injunction pursuant to the provisions of this part for a second or subsequent time within a five-year period for violation at the same property is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
California Health & Safety Code § 17995.2 establishes a criminal penalty for repeat contempt of court in housing enforcement matters. When a person is found in contempt of a court order or injunction under this part of the Health and Safety Code more than once within a five-year window—and both violations involve the same property—that conduct rises to the level of a misdemeanor. The misdemeanor carries a potential fine of up to $5,000, up to six months of imprisonment, or both.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17995.2, a landlord or property manager who has already been held in contempt of a housing-related court order or injunction faces significantly heightened exposure if a second contempt finding occurs at the same property within five years. Operators who maintain properties in compliance with court orders and injunctions generally avoid the circumstances that trigger this criminal misdemeanor provision. Keeping detailed records of remediation efforts and court-ordered corrections at each property is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17995.2 can be relevant to tenants living at a property where a landlord has previously been found in contempt of a housing court order or injunction. If conditions at the property suggest a continued or renewed violation of such an order, tenants may report concerns to local code enforcement or housing authorities, who have the ability to pursue contempt proceedings that could trigger this provision's criminal penalties. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how prior court orders at a property may affect their current situation and what reporting options are 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.
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