City of Oakland
New legislation passed in 2018
Measure AA – Parcel Tax – A 1 Billion Dollar Tax Increase: Oakland City Council voted to pass this measure even though Oakland voters overwhelming rejected it. Stay tuned for updates.
PASSED: Measure Y – Remove Protections for Small Property Owners: EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 21, 2018
PASSED: Measure W – Vacant Property Tax – A $200,000,000 Tax Increase: *
Click here to read ordinance
Measure AA – Parcel Tax – A 1 Billion Dollar Tax Increase: Oakland City Council voted to pass this measure even though Oakland voters overwhelming rejected it. Stay tuned for updates.
- One of the largest parcel tax proposals in Oakland’s history ($198 per home and $135.25 per unit per year)
- $30,000,000 a year for 30 years will be distributed to organizations without accountability or a track record of success
- Homeowners are already paying for 6 separate parcel tax measures to support schools
- No guarantee the funds will be used for the stated purpose
- No public oversight and no program in place
PASSED: Measure Y – Remove Protections for Small Property Owners: EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 21, 2018
- Removes 2 and 3-unit owner-occupied exemption from Just Cause ordinance (Measure EE)
- Subjects owners to expensive legal battles just to have peace at home
- Pushes owners to remove properties from rental market, shrinking housing supply
- Grants city council new authority to add eviction defenses, making it harder for owners to keep control of properties
PASSED: Measure W – Vacant Property Tax – A $200,000,000 Tax Increase: *
- Imposes a parcel tax for properties in use less than 50 days during a calendar year
- Residential homes: $6,000 per parcel
- Non-residential & Undeveloped: $6,000 per parcel
- Condominium or duplex: $3,000 per vacant unit
- Parcel with ground floor commercial: $3,000 per parcel
Click here to read ordinance
2017 Ordinance Changes
The following changes to the Oakland Rent Ordinance were passed September 30, 2017:
- Capital improvements will no longer be based on 5 years, but rather “useful life”. Additionally, imputed financing costs will be allowed in a schedule, to be determined by the Rent Board. All other capital improvement restrictions remain in place.
- Extend waiting period for exemption from rent control for 2-3 unit owner-occupied buildings from 1 year to 2 years
- Renters will have 90/120 days, rather than 60 days, to contest rent increases depending on if a RAP notice has been served or not
- Language translation services will be provided by the Rent Board to all persons who request it
Measure JJ: Renter’s Upgrade Act – Approved with Majority Vote
Measure KK: Infrastructure Bond – Approved with More Than 2/3 Vote
Measure KK is an infrastructure bond, that will last 30 years and tax residents $70 per every $100,000 of assessed property value. This increase includes commercial, multi-unit and single-family dwellings and cannot be passed through to renters. For an average property value of $900,000, that means another $630 per year for 30 years. The City can pay staff salaries with this money. Bond proceeds can be given as loans or grants to nonprofits, corporations, and other government agencies.What is not spent in 10 years can be reallocated with a simple council resolution. This is effective next tax bill.
Click here to read ordinance
- Pre-petition for all increases above the annual allowable increase (CPI, currently 2%)
- No pre-petitioning needed for banking
- Just Cause will now include properties built before December 31,1995 (currently set at 1980)
- More power given to the Oakland Rent Board
- Substantial rehabilitation has much more restrictive requirements
- This measure is effective February 1, 2017
Measure KK: Infrastructure Bond – Approved with More Than 2/3 Vote
Measure KK is an infrastructure bond, that will last 30 years and tax residents $70 per every $100,000 of assessed property value. This increase includes commercial, multi-unit and single-family dwellings and cannot be passed through to renters. For an average property value of $900,000, that means another $630 per year for 30 years. The City can pay staff salaries with this money. Bond proceeds can be given as loans or grants to nonprofits, corporations, and other government agencies.What is not spent in 10 years can be reallocated with a simple council resolution. This is effective next tax bill.
Click here to read ordinance
Oakland Rent Adjustment Program
Oakland's Rent Adjustment Program (RAP) is the city department that implements the rent ordinance, manages disputes and other rental housing matters. Rental property owners must comply with the Oakland rent ordinance, including payment of mandatory annual RAP fees, petitioning for rent increases when they exceed the annual allowable increase, and more. Click on the links below to learn more.
Rent Board Contact Information and Hours
Rental Housing Ordinances & Information
Oakland's Rent Adjustment Program (RAP) is the city department that implements the rent ordinance, manages disputes and other rental housing matters. Rental property owners must comply with the Oakland rent ordinance, including payment of mandatory annual RAP fees, petitioning for rent increases when they exceed the annual allowable increase, and more. Click on the links below to learn more.
- Rent Adjustment Program Website (Oakland Rent Board)
- Pay the Rent Adjustment Program Fee, currently $68.00 per rental unit
- Owner Petition for Approval of Rent Increase
- Owner Petition for Exemption from Rent Adjustment Ordinance
Rent Board Contact Information and Hours
- 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313, Oakland, CA 94612
- Located on 6th Floor in the Housing Resource Center, Suite 6301
- Phone Number: (510) 238-3721 | Fax Number: (510) 238-6181
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5pm: Calls are generally limited to 10 minutes
- Drop-in hours:
- Mon & Wed from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Tues & Thurs from 10:00am to 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- No Drop in Services on Fridays
- Visits are generally limited to 10 minutes
Rental Housing Ordinances & Information
- NEW: Measure Y (effective December 21, 2018)
- NEW: Measure W (effective July 1, 2020)
- NEW: Seismic Retrofit Ordinance (effective ???)
- Measure EE (effective 2002)
- Municipal Codes or Ordinances (searchable database)
- Tenant Protection Ordinance
- Short-term Rentals FAQ
Business License
All Oakland rental property owners must obtain and pay for a rental business license
Apply for a Business License In Person, By Mail or Online
BUSINESS TAX OFFICE
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 1320
Oakland, CA 94612
Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (510) 238-3704
Legal/Permitted Units
Legal units must have a Certificate of Occupancy, which is a document that certifies that a residential building complies with all state and local building codes and is safe to live in.
If you don't know if your unit is up to code:
1) hire a contractor to inspect the property and/or
2) Contact the Oakland Planning and Building Department
Petition for Capital Improvements
Capital Improvement Petition Form
Questions? (510) 238-3721
Oakland City Council Meetings
Click here to see agendas and watch meetings
All Oakland rental property owners must obtain and pay for a rental business license
- With your initial application, you are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of $91.
- Business Tax must be paid ANNUALLY , no later than March 1st of each year.
- It is the taxpayer's responsibility to renew the business tax on time .
- FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE BUSINESS TAX ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS IS A MISDEMEANOR VIOLATION. A NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND/OR CITATION MAY BE ISSUED. A LIEN IS FILED ON RENTAL PROPERTY.
Apply for a Business License In Person, By Mail or Online
- CITY OF OAKLAND
BUSINESS TAX OFFICE
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 1320
Oakland, CA 94612
- Office hours:
Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (510) 238-3704
Legal/Permitted Units
Legal units must have a Certificate of Occupancy, which is a document that certifies that a residential building complies with all state and local building codes and is safe to live in.
If you don't know if your unit is up to code:
1) hire a contractor to inspect the property and/or
2) Contact the Oakland Planning and Building Department
Petition for Capital Improvements
Capital Improvement Petition Form
Questions? (510) 238-3721
Oakland City Council Meetings
Click here to see agendas and watch meetings
City of Oakland Resources
Other Oakland Resources
- Business Tax License
- Community and Economic Development Agency
- “Earthquakes Happen” Handbook for Oakland Owners
- Fire Prevention Bureau
Other Oakland Resources