Housing Program

New! Apply Online with MyEHS
You can now apply for housing permits, pay invoices, and manage your permits online using MyEHS.

Payments cannot be made to or accepted by inspectors. Payments must be made in person at the Environmental Health Services office, by mail, by phone at (650) 372-6200, or online through the MyEHS Portal.

Safe, healthy housing is a shared responsibility between property owners and tenants. Property owners must maintain buildings in compliance with health and safety standards, while tenants help by keeping their living spaces sanitary and reporting concerns promptly. Environmental Health Services supports this partnership by conducting periodic inspections of multi-family dwellings to identify and address violations.

Property Owners and Managers

Prevent and address common housing violations before your next inspection, learn more about your responsibilities as a landlord, and find additional resources.

Tenants

Complaints

Environmental Health Services can only respond to complaints made about rental properties (apartment buildings of 4 units or more, or rental homes with water or septic system issues), hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, mobile home parks (within unincorporated San Mateo County), detention facilities, and organized camps. 

Environmental Health Services does not handle complaints in or about:

• The City of San Mateo, City of San Carlos, single-family homes, duplexes, or triplexes. If your complaint involves one of these areas or property types, contact your local code enforcement department directly.
• Townhomes or condominiums. Contact the owner, HOA, or obtain legal advice.
• Asbestos. Report asbestos complaints to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) by calling 1-800-334-6367 or online
• Housing Authority, HUD, or Section 8. Call the San Mateo County Department of Housing at (650) 802-3300.
   

Call (650) 599-1112 or use the Online Complaint Form to file a complaint about:

• Leaking roofs
• Faulty plumbing
• Inadequate heating
• Substandard electrical problems
• Pests (including rodents and cockroaches)
• Mold
• Lead

Healthy Homes

• Pests need water, food, and shelter to live, just like you. 
• Reducing moisture prevents and reduces mold growth. Your first action is to address the source of the moisture, which causes mold. 
• Explore what you can do to get rid of pests and mold. 

Employee Housing Operations

Program Overview

In general, employee housing is privately-owned housing that houses five or more employees and meets the following criteria:

• Living quarters are provided in connection with any work, regardless of whether rent is involved.
• Housing is located in a rural area that is:
  • Provided by someone who is not an agricultural employer, and
  • Provided for agricultural workers employed by any agricultural employer.

Complaints

For employee housing/farm worker complaints, call (650) 363-4404 or use the Online Complaint Form. For additional questions, contact  FarmworkerHousingSupport@smcgov.org.

Employee Housing Permit Application

Submit your Employee Housing Permit Application through the MyEHS Portal. You can also pay your application fee online through the portal.

If you’re unable to apply online with MyEHS, you can download and complete the Employee Housing Permit PDF application at smchealth.org/myehs (see Resources & PDF Applications).

Inspection

Environmental Health Services inspects employee housing prior to and during occupancy to assure compliance with the use, maintenance, and occupancy requirements established by the laws and regulations, as well as applicable sections of Title 24, California Building Standards Code. Inspections are also completed in response to complaints.

Laws

The State Law governing employee housing is entitled the “Employee Housing Act” and may be found in Division 13, Part 1 of the California Health and Safety Code, commencing with Section 17000. This Act establishes requirements for permits, fees, and responsibilities of employee housing operators and enforcement agencies, including Environmental Health Services.

Regulations

Title 25, California Code of Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3 includes specific requirements for the construction of housing, maintenance of grounds and buildings, minimum allowable sleeping space and facilities, sanitation, and heating. The provisions of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) govern the construction of permanent buildings used for employee housing. (See also State Housing Law for appropriate building standards.) The construction of mobile home and recreational vehicle lots within an employee housing facility is subject to provisions in the Mobile home Parks Act and regulations adopted by the Department for such facilities.

Employee Housing Resources

Employee Housing Regulations

hcd.ca.gov

Employee Housing Building Standards – CA Dept. of Housing and Community Development

Employee Housing Facility Inspection Information Booklet for Owners, Operators, and Residents

Resources from CA Dept. of Housing and Community Development 

Certificate of Non-Operation

Contact Information

For employee housing/farm worker complaints, call Aris Veloso, EHS IV Housing Program, work cell: (650) 463-6925, use the Online Complaint Form, or email FarmworkerHousingSupport@smcgov.org.

Organized Camps

An organized camp is a structured, often seasonal, outdoor group living experience designed for educational, recreational, or spiritual purposes, typically running for five or more days. 
Organized Camps Laws and Regulations