Bed Bug Answers

San Francisco · city enforcement on top of California law

Bed bug law in San Francisco. Who’s responsible, and how to report it.

California’s statewide law already bars renting a unit the landlord knows is infested and requires written bed bug disclosure — and San Francisco adds fast city enforcement. Owners must respond to a complaint within 72 hours, and the Health Department will cite them if they don’t. Here is what applies in SF, each point sourced. For who pays and your other remedies, see the California page.

What applies in San Francisco

California Civil Code § 1954.602–.603

No renting a known-infested unit

Statewide, a landlord may not show, rent or lease a unit they know has a current bed bug infestation, must give every tenant written bed bug information and a reporting procedure, and must share a pest operator’s findings within two business days. California AB 551

SF Health Department rules

Owner must respond within 72 hours

San Francisco requires a property owner to respond to a tenant’s bed bug complaint by hiring a licensed pest control operator to investigate within 72 hours and treat as needed. SFDPH

The teeth

A Notice of Violation

If the owner doesn’t follow the Director’s Rules, the Department of Public Health issues a Notice of Violation with a deadline to act. SFDPH

How to report bed bugs in San Francisco

  1. Notify your landlord in writing

    Report it to the owner or manager in writing and keep a copy. Start with our what-to-do-tonight guide and log the dates and photos. California AB 551

  2. If it isn’t handled, file with 311

    File a bed bug complaint with 311; you’ll get a tracking number. If the owner doesn’t act, the SF Department of Public Health’s Code Enforcement program (415-252-3805) can inspect and cite. SF311 · SFDPH

  3. Know who pays

    California puts the cost on the landlord unless you caused it. The California page covers habitability, deadlines and rent remedies before you act.

Where this comes from

  • San Francisco Dept. of Public Health — Bed Bug Prevention and Control; Director’s Rules; complaints. sfdph.org
  • SF311 — report bed bugs and track the case. sf.gov
  • California Civil Code §§ 1954.601–1954.605 (AB 551) — the statewide backdrop. See the California analysis.

Reviewed against state and city guidance on . Confirm the current Director’s Rules and code before relying on them. This is sourced guidance, not legal advice.