Verified for 2026 | Riverside & San Bernardino Counties
The Inland Empire presents a unique challenge for renters: Extreme Heat and Jurisdictional Confusion. Pests like Turkestan Roaches thrive in our 100°F+ summers, often invading homes with broken AC units.
Furthermore, because the IE is a mix of massive unincorporated county land and independent cities, tenants often call the wrong agency. If you live in Fontana but call San Bernardino County, they cannot help you. Use this guide to find the correct authority.
Who Do I Call? (Select Your County)
Riverside County
Code & Vector Control
City of Riverside: Dial 311
Unincorporated: (951) 955-2004
Vector (Rats): (951) 340-9792
San Bernardino County
Code & Vector Control
City of SB: (909) 884-4056
Fontana: (909) 854-8020
County Vector: (800) 442-2283
Quick Navigation:
1. The “City vs. County” Trap
The Inland Empire is a patchwork of cities. Code Enforcement only has authority within its own borders.
- If you live in a City (e.g., Fontana, Ontario, Moreno Valley): You must call that specific City Hall. The County will reject your claim.
- If you live in “Unincorporated” areas (e.g., Bloomington, Muscoy): You must call County Code Enforcement.
Pro Tip: Check your water bill. If you pay “City of Riverside Utilities,” call the City. If you pay a County district, call the County.
2. The “Double Violation”: Heat & Pests
In the IE, broken Air Conditioning is a habitability violation if the unit becomes dangerously hot. Pests love heat.
Using Heat to Force Pest Repairs
If you have roaches AND a broken AC, report BOTH simultaneously. Code Enforcement considers this an “Imminent Health Hazard” and prioritizes these inspections over simple bug complaints. Mentioning “unsafe temperatures” (over 85°F inside) often gets an inspector out within 24 hours.
3. Rent Control in the IE (AB 1482)
Unlike Los Angeles, most IE cities do not have local rent control boards. However, you are likely protected by the Statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).
- Rent Cap: Landlords cannot raise rent more than 5% + CPI (inflation) per year.
- Just Cause: If you have lived there for 12+ months, they cannot evict you for complaining about pests. They need a “Just Cause” (like non-payment) under Civil Code § 1946.2.
Facing Retaliation or Eviction?
If your landlord ignores the AB 1482 rules and attempts to evict you for a pest complaint, or if you need an emergency repair grant to use the “Repair and Deduct” remedy (Civil Code § 1942), local programs are available to help.
View Riverside Aid View San Bernardino Aid4. Pre-Inspection Checklist
When the inspector arrives in Riverside or San Bernardino, they are looking for “Harborage” (places where bugs hide). Don’t give them a reason to blame you.
- Garage Clutter: In the IE, people often store boxes in garages. Move these off the floor to prevent black widows and mice.
- Standing Water: Vector Control will fine you if you have green swimming pools or buckets of water breeding mosquitoes. Drain them before calling.
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
It’s complicated. West Valley Mosquito Control handles Ontario/Rancho. Northwest Mosquito Control handles Riverside/Corona. Call the main county line first, and they will route you to the correct independent district.
Be careful. While pests are habitability issues, AC is only considered mandatory if your lease says so or if the unit is “uninhabitable” due to extreme heat. Always consult Legal Aid of San Bernardino before withholding rent.
Check your address. If you live within city limits (e.g., Fontana, Riverside), call City Code Enforcement. If you live in an unincorporated area (e.g., Bloomington), call the County.
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.
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