“Which government offices should be contacted about mold problems?
On-screen: “Indoor mold painted over will grow back if the water problem is not fixed.”
People with mold in their home often do not know who can help them.
The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, does not send staff to visit the home and fix the problem.
CDPH and local Health Departments can provide information and support.
Usually, local government offices, sometimes called ‘Code Enforcement’ offices, will enforce rules about mold.
These city or county offices make sure that building owners follow rules and laws to keep buildings safe and healthy.
Usually, a Code Enforcement office is in the Building, Housing, or Planning department of a city or county.
Government code enforcers can visit the home.
They may tell building owners to fix mold they see, and water problems.
They can report building owners if they don’t fix the problems.
CDPH has a list of local code enforcement offices.
Visit: www.cdph.ca.gov/mold, for the link.
To find your local code enforcement office online you can search the internet for Code Enforcement and your city or county name.
CDPH can also help you find contact information for other groups that can assist you.
For more information, see the next videos in this series.
Visit the California Department of Public Health’s website, cdph.ca.gov/mold, for information about mold in the home.
This web page links to information on renters’ and building owners’ rights and responsibilities.
About
Series: “Mold in the Home Video Series is created by the Environmental Health Investigations Branch of the California Department of Public Health. It is designed to answer basic questions about mold in the home using plain language in English and Spanish.”
This Video: “A fourth animated video in the 6-part Mold in the Home video series. It explains that staff from local government code enforcement offices can visit the home and take action on visible mold and water problems causing mold. The California Department of Public Health provides educational materials and information through its helpline.”
Produced and published by the Environmental Health Investigations Branch of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Published November 7, 2022.
