city of oakland
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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 the Ordinance |
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2017 Ordinance Changes
The following changes to the Oakland Rent Ordinance were passed September 30, 2017:
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.
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
- 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.
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 $101.00 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
Tenant Protection Ordinance
The Tenant Protection Ordinance (“TPO”) provides tenants legal recourse if they are harassed by their property owner.
The TPO is meant to deter harassment by property owners. The TPO provides civil remedies for violations. Definitions of
what is considered harassment can be found here.
The TPO requires owners to post a notice of the TPO in rental units located in a building with an interior common area. The
notice must be placed in at least one such common area in the building using the form prescribed by the City Staff.
Click here to download the notice.
Before a Tenant may file a violation of the TPO, the Tenant must first notify the Owner of the problem. The tenant must allow
fifteen (15) days for the owner to correct the problem. The owner can notify the tenant that the repairs will take more than
fifteen (15) days. In this case, the owner must provide a reasonable time period for completion. If the repair takes more than
fifteen (15) days, the tenant may file if the owner does not take steps to start addressing the problem. The tenant may also
file if the owner does not follow through to complete the repairs with reasonable diligence.
The Tenant Protection Ordinance (“TPO”) provides tenants legal recourse if they are harassed by their property owner.
The TPO is meant to deter harassment by property owners. The TPO provides civil remedies for violations. Definitions of
what is considered harassment can be found here.
The TPO requires owners to post a notice of the TPO in rental units located in a building with an interior common area. The
notice must be placed in at least one such common area in the building using the form prescribed by the City Staff.
Click here to download the notice.
Before a Tenant may file a violation of the TPO, the Tenant must first notify the Owner of the problem. The tenant must allow
fifteen (15) days for the owner to correct the problem. The owner can notify the tenant that the repairs will take more than
fifteen (15) days. In this case, the owner must provide a reasonable time period for completion. If the repair takes more than
fifteen (15) days, the tenant may file if the owner does not take steps to start addressing the problem. The tenant may also
file if the owner does not follow through to complete the repairs with reasonable diligence.
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
CITY OF OAKLAND
FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT AGENCY
BUSINESS TAX OFFICE
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 1320
Oakland, CA 94612
Office hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (510) 238-3704
Apply for an Oakland Business License Online
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:
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
FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT AGENCY
BUSINESS TAX OFFICE
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 1320
Oakland, CA 94612
Office hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (510) 238-3704
Apply for an Oakland Business License Online
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:
- Hire a contractor to inspect the property and/or
- 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
Zero Waste
Zero WasteOakland multifamily properties with five or more units are required to provide recycling and composting collection service to their tenants. The Oakland Recycles Zero Waste contracts* provides all the services you need to comply with Alameda County’s Mandatory Recycling Ordinance (MRO) and the State of California’s Mandatory Commercial Recycling law. Effective January 1, 2017, the MRO notification/penalty phase for composting goes into effect. Now is the time to get your composting program in place with help from Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc.
The MRO penalty phase for recycling has been in effect since 2012.
To request recycling assistance, contact California Waste Solutions at (510) 625-5263.
*Oakland Municipal Code requires property managers to provide residents access to all franchised collection services. (OMC 8.28.140.D)
See our Zero Waste page for more information.
Zero WasteOakland multifamily properties with five or more units are required to provide recycling and composting collection service to their tenants. The Oakland Recycles Zero Waste contracts* provides all the services you need to comply with Alameda County’s Mandatory Recycling Ordinance (MRO) and the State of California’s Mandatory Commercial Recycling law. Effective January 1, 2017, the MRO notification/penalty phase for composting goes into effect. Now is the time to get your composting program in place with help from Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc.
The MRO penalty phase for recycling has been in effect since 2012.
To request recycling assistance, contact California Waste Solutions at (510) 625-5263.
*Oakland Municipal Code requires property managers to provide residents access to all franchised collection services. (OMC 8.28.140.D)
See our Zero Waste page for more information.