Verified for 2026 | City of Bakersfield & Kern County Public Health
Renting in Bakersfield comes with two extreme challenges: Intense Heat and Persistent Pests. During the summer, Turkestan Roaches migrate indoors seeking water, while Roof Rats scramble into attics to escape the sun.
Many Bakersfield landlords try to claim that “Air Conditioning is a luxury, not a right.” This is often false. If your AC breaks, it can be considered a habitability violation under state law if it creates an unsafe condition.
Who Do I Call? (City vs. County)
Interior Pests (City)
Bakersfield Code Enforcement
Call for Roaches, broken AC units, or plumbing leaks inside the City limits.
📞 (661) 326-3712Roof Rats & Mosquitoes
Kern Mosquito & Vector
They handle exterior vectors. Call them for rats in the attic, green pools, or mosquito swarms.
📞 (661) 589-2744Quick Navigation:
1. The “AC Trap”: Is Cooling Mandatory?
California law does not explicitly require landlords to install AC. However, Bakersfield summers are dangerous. Here is how the law protects you:
The Maintenance Rule
If it was there when you moved in, they must fix it.
Under Civil Code § 1941.1, landlords must maintain all “mechanical appliances” supplied at the start of the tenancy. If your apartment came with central air or a wall unit, a broken AC is a legal breach of your lease.
Health Hazard: If the indoor temperature creates a health risk (e.g., over 90°F inside), Code Enforcement may cite the unit for “Lack of Proper Ventilation.”
Facing Eviction or Need Financial Aid?
If your landlord is retaliating against you for a pest or AC complaint, or if you need an emergency repair grant to use the “Repair and Deduct” remedy (Civil Code § 1942), there are local programs available to protect Kern County tenants.
View Bakersfield Assistance Programs & Legal Aid2. Roof Rats: Kern County’s #1 Pest
Kern County has a massive population of Roof Rats (Fruit Rats). They are famous for running along power lines and entering attics through small gaps.
Who pays? If the rats are entering through a structural defect (hole in the roof, broken vent screen), the landlord is 100% responsible. You cannot “clean” your way out of a roof rat infestation; it requires exclusion work.
3. How to File a Code Complaint
If your landlord ignores your written request (text/email) for 14 days, you should file a complaint.
- Step 1: Call the 24-Hour Complaint Line: (661) 326-3712.
- Step 2: Provide your address and the issue (e.g., “Substandard Housing – Cockroach Infestation”).
- Step 3: An officer will be assigned. You must be home to let them in, or they cannot verify interior bugs.
4. Oildale & Unincorporated Areas
Bakersfield is surrounded by “Unincorporated” communities like Oildale, Rosedale, and Greenacres. If you live here, the City of Bakersfield cannot help you.
Who to Call: You must call Kern County Code Compliance at (661) 862-8603. They enforce the county ordinances, which are slightly different but still follow state health laws.
5. Official Demand Letter Generator
Before calling Code Enforcement, you must provide written notice to your landlord. Use our tool below to instantly generate a legally formatted Civil Code § 1941.1 demand letter.
Civil Code 1941.1 Demand Letter Generator
Instantly generate a legally formatted notice to send to your landlord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with caution. The “Repair and Deduct” remedy allows you to spend up to one month’s rent on repairs. However, you must give the landlord “reasonable notice” (usually 30 days, or less in emergencies like a heatwave). Document everything before doing this.
No. Services are funded by property taxes. They provide free mosquito fish and will inspect your property for rat entry points (though they won’t seal the holes—that’s the landlord’s job).
Yes. If rats are entering the home through structural defects like roof holes or broken vents, the landlord is legally responsible for sealing the entry points and removing the pests.
Taking Action into Your Own Hands?
If the city ordered your landlord to fix the problem, or if you are repairing and deducting, ensure you hire a reputable, SPCB-licensed company to guarantee the job is done right and you have the proper legal invoices.
View Bakersfield Pest Control Pros