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Environmental Health

Hotel & Emergency Shelter Program

The Environmental Health Section's Hotel and Emergency Shelter Program provides a coordinated and comprehensive approach to preventing health problems caused by unhealthy environmental conditions in hotels and shelters. The goal of the Hotel and Emergency Shelter Program is to ensure that hotels, single room occupancy hotels, emergency shelters, transitional homes, drop-in centers and drug treatment centers maintain safe, sanitary and habitable conditions at all times. In addition, our staff provide training and other resources to hotel owners, tenants, community centers and the general public. If we do not have authority to correct a hazard, we can help residents by making referrals to other public agencies and health professionals. Where possible, we provide services in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tagalog.

Program Activities and Services

  • Conduct routine health and safety inspections and respond to tenant complaints in hotels, including single room occupancy hotels, shelters, boarding houses, and hostels.
  • Provide training and educational materials to tenants and landlords and connect tenants to other city supportive services.

Making a Complaint

If you would like to make a complaint regarding a public health nuisance in a hotel or emergency shelter, click here.

Related Agency

Department of Building Inspection - The Division of Housing Inspection is responsible for structural, safety and construction issues in all buildings, including hotels.

Fire Department - The Fire Department is responsible for all fire safety issues in hotels and some housing and cluttering issues are referred to the Fire Department.