On October 9, 2015, California’s Governor signed Senate Bill 655 which adds visible mold growth to the list of conditions defining substandard housing in the state’s Health and Safety Code.
The bill specifies that visible mold growth, as determined by a health officer or a code enforcement officer, is a substandard condition. The bill will provide local enforcement agencies with clear authority to address mold complaints and to require the cleaning and removal of moldy materials and the remediation of moisture intrusion problems. It will also mean that code enforcement officers need expertise in mold assessment and remediation. Rules for the implementation of the law have not been created as of November 1, 2015
