For renters · LA County agency directory
Who to Call About Mold in Your LA Rental: LA County Agency Directory
If your rental is in the City of Los Angeles, call the LA Housing Department (LAHD) at (866) 557-7368. In unincorporated areas and most cities that use County health inspectors, call LA County Public Health, Environmental Health, at (888) 700-9995. Long Beach, Pasadena, Vernon, Santa Monica, Glendale and Torrance handle complaints through their own city offices.
Verify before calling, numbers change. Last checked October 2026. Last updated October 2026.
How jurisdiction works
Why does it matter whether I live in the city or the county?
“Los Angeles” on your mailing address doesn’t tell you which agency inspects your unit. LA County has 88 cities plus large unincorporated areas, and housing complaints go to whichever government has authority over your street. Calling the wrong office usually just means a referral and a lost week, so it’s worth two minutes to get it right.
There are three basic situations:
City of Los Angeles
Hollywood, Koreatown, Venice, the San Fernando Valley, San Pedro, Boyle Heights, South LA and the Palisades are all inside the City of LA. Rental housing complaints go to LAHD Code Enforcement, which inspects for free.
County areas and County-code cities
Unincorporated communities such as East LA, Altadena and Topanga, plus cities that adopted the County Health Code, are covered by LA County Public Health, Environmental Health, through its Lead and Mold Hazards program.
Cities with their own system
Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon run their own health departments, outside County authority. Glendale and Torrance haven’t adopted the County housing standards, so the County can’t enforce there. Santa Monica has its own code enforcement.
Not sure which side of a city line you’re on? Your property tax bill or the city named on your lease usually settles it. If you’re still unsure, call the County line: if your address isn’t theirs, they can tell you who it belongs to.
The directory
Who do I call about mold in my apartment, by city?
Find your city or neighborhood below. Where we list a number, it was checked in October 2026, but agencies change lines and menus, so confirm it on the agency’s own website before you rely on it. Where no number is listed, call city hall or use the city’s 311 service and ask for housing or code enforcement.
| If your rental is in… | Agency | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| City of Los Angeles (Hollywood, Koreatown, Westlake, Mid-City, Venice, Mar Vista, Playa del Rey, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, the Valley, Boyle Heights, South LA, San Pedro, Pacific Palisades) | LA Housing Department (LAHD) Code Enforcement | Code & Rent Helpline: (866) 557-7368 |
| Unincorporated LA County (East LA, Altadena, Topanga and other unincorporated communities) | LA County Public Health, Environmental Health (Lead and Mold Hazards) | (888) 700-9995 or the online complaint form |
| Cities that use County health inspectors (including Culver City, Malibu, Downey, Santa Clarita) | LA County Public Health, Environmental Health | (888) 700-9995 or the online complaint form |
| Burbank | LA County Public Health, Environmental Health (local office) | (818) 557-4187 |
| Long Beach | Long Beach Code Enforcement (the city also has its own health department) | (562) 570-2633 |
| Pasadena | Pasadena Public Health and Code Compliance (own health department) | Code Compliance: (626) 744-8633 |
| Santa Monica | Santa Monica Code Enforcement | (310) 458-4984 |
| Vernon | City of Vernon health department (own health department) | Call city hall or use the city’s 311 service |
| Glendale | City of Glendale code enforcement (County housing standards not adopted) | Call city hall or use the city’s 311 service |
| Torrance | City of Torrance code enforcement (County housing standards not adopted) | Call city hall or use the city’s 311 service |
| Any other city in LA County | Usually LA County Public Health, but some cities handle housing themselves | Start with the County line, (888) 700-9995, or ask your city hall |
Verify before calling, numbers change. Last checked October 2026. Confirm on the agency’s website; LAHD is at housing.lacity.gov and County Public Health at publichealth.lacounty.gov.
In an emergency, don’t wait for a mold inspector
If water is actively pouring in, there’s sewage backing up, or someone is having trouble breathing, deal with that first: call your landlord’s emergency line, the building’s water shutoff, or 911 for a medical emergency. A mold complaint is for conditions that need fixing, not for an emergency in progress.
Before and during the call
What should I say when I call about mold?
Inspectors hear a lot of calls. A clear, specific report gets scheduled faster. Have these ready before you dial:
- The full address and unit number, plus the owner’s or property manager’s name if you know it.
- Where the mold is and how big it is, for example “bathroom ceiling, about 2 by 3 feet, and the bedroom closet wall.”
- The likely cause, if you know it: a roof leak, a plumbing leak behind the wall, water coming in around a window.
- How long it’s been there and when you first told the landlord, ideally in writing.
- What the landlord did: nothing, a promise, or painting over it.
- Who lives there, especially young children, older adults, or anyone with asthma or a weakened immune system. Some agencies move faster when health is involved.
A simple script works: “I rent an apartment at [address]. There’s visible mold on [location] caused by [leak]. I told my landlord in writing on [date] and it hasn’t been fixed. I’d like to file a complaint and request an inspection.”
Ask for a complaint or case number and write it down with the date and the name of the person you spoke with. Keep dated photos with something in the frame for scale. If you haven’t notified your landlord in writing yet, do that now; our LA renter mold guide walks through the notice step.
After you file
What happens after I file a mold complaint?
The process is similar across agencies, though the details and speed vary. Here’s the general path:
- IntakeThe agency logs your complaint and gives you a case number. LAHD aims to contact you within 72 hours, or 24 hours for urgent conditions.
- InspectionAn inspector visits the unit, looks at the mold and the moisture causing it, and notes any other code problems. The inspection is free to tenants.
- Notice to complyIf the inspector confirms a violation, the owner gets a written order listing what must be fixed and by when.
- Repair periodThe owner must fix the source and the damage. In the City of LA, owners typically get up to 30 days.
- Re-inspectionThe inspector returns to confirm the work. If it isn’t done, the case can escalate to fees, hearings or further enforcement.
Why the inspection matters legally
Since SB 655 took effect in 2016, visible mold growth is listed as a substandard housing condition under California Health & Safety Code 17920.3, except minor mold on surfaces that normally get wet, like a shower. A written inspection report and notice to comply create an official record. Under Civil Code 1942.4, a landlord who fails to fix a cited condition can owe damages, and Civil Code 1942.5 bars retaliation against tenants who complain.
How long does all of this take?
Expect a first contact within days, an inspection within a few weeks depending on workload, and a repair deadline measured in weeks rather than days. Urgent health or safety conditions are usually prioritized. If you hear nothing, call back with your case number and ask for a status update.
Paid testing
Do I need my own mold test before calling an agency?
Usually not. If the mold is visible, the free government inspection is the right first step, and you don’t have to pay anyone to get your landlord’s attention. California never set numeric mold exposure limits, so a lab number isn’t what triggers a code violation; visible growth and its cause are.
A paid independent mold inspection can help when mold is hidden inside walls, when you smell it but can’t see it, when you need documentation for a legal dispute or a doctor, or after the landlord says the job is done and you want proof. Air quality testing with an outdoor control sample is the usual way to check that. See what a mold inspection costs in Los Angeles before you decide; a written quote depends on the unit and number of samples.
If your mold started with a leak or flood, our page on water damage and mold explains why fixing the water comes first.
FAQ
Questions renters ask about reporting mold in LA
Who do I call about mold in my apartment in Los Angeles?
In the City of Los Angeles, call the LA Housing Department Code and Rent Helpline at (866) 557-7368. In unincorporated LA County and cities that use County inspectors, call LA County Public Health, Environmental Health, at (888) 700-9995. Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Vernon, Glendale and Torrance use their own city offices.
Can I get a free mold inspection as a renter?
Yes. Housing inspections by LAHD, LA County Public Health and city code enforcement offices are free to tenants. The inspector checks for visible mold and the moisture causing it, and can order the owner to make repairs.
How long does my landlord have to fix mold?
It depends on the agency and the notice to comply. In the City of Los Angeles, owners typically get up to 30 days after an LAHD inspection. Urgent health and safety conditions can get shorter deadlines.
Can my landlord retaliate if I report mold?
California Civil Code 1942.5 prohibits retaliation, such as raising rent, cutting services or starting an eviction, because a tenant complained to a government agency. Keep copies of your complaint and case number. If you think you’re facing retaliation, contact a tenant legal aid group such as Bet Tzedek.
Can I withhold rent for mold in California?
Withholding rent is risky without legal advice. California Civil Code 1942 allows repair and deduct, up to one month’s rent and no more than twice a year, after proper notice. Talk to a tenant attorney or legal aid group before withholding or deducting anything.
Is mold the tenant’s fault or the landlord’s?
Landlords must keep rentals habitable and fix leaks and other building defects that cause mold. Tenants are expected to report problems promptly and limit everyday moisture, like running bathroom fans. An inspector looks at the cause when deciding what the owner must fix.
Do landlords have to disclose mold in California?
Under the Toxic Mold Protection Act, Health and Safety Code 26147, landlords who know of mold that is a health threat must disclose it in writing to current and prospective tenants.
What if I call the wrong agency?
You’ll usually be told which agency covers your address and referred there. It costs time, not your case. Check your lease or property tax bill for the city name first, and verify phone numbers on the agency’s website because they change.
Sources
- LA Housing Department (LAHD), complaint and inspection process: housing.lacity.gov
- LA County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health housing inspections: publichealth.lacounty.gov
- California Health & Safety Code 17920.3 (SB 655) and 26147; Civil Code 1941, 1942, 1942.4 and 1942.5
- US EPA, mold resources: epa.gov/mold
This page is general information, not legal advice. Verify before calling, numbers change. Phone numbers last checked October 2026. Last updated October 2026.
Need documentation or a second look?
The agency inspection is free and should come first. If you need hidden mold found, independent testing for a dispute, or proof the repair actually worked, call (213) 659-0672. We’ll tell you honestly whether paid testing will help your situation.
Serving all of Los Angeles County · Open 24/7 · (213) 659-0672