Oakland

POINT OF SALE ORDINANCES

SEWER LATERAL ORDINANCE
In January the City of Oakland began requiring sewer lateral inspections prior to a home being sold. Additionally, inspections also are required for remodeling projects of $100,000 or more, and when a property owner changes the size of their water meter.

This point-of-sale requirement is in response to a court order from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is requiring the East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD) repair damaged sanitary sewer pipes to prevent untreated waste from being released into the San Francisco Bay. EBMUD is in turn passing the responsibility to individual property owners who will have to obtain a certificate from EBMUD showing their sewer laterals are not damaged and are connected properly.

SIGN ORDINANCE/RESTRICTIONS

Do not obstruct any public right of way. For more information contact the Planning and Zoning Office at (510) 238-3437. It is the standard that agents do not pull permits for temporary Open House signs.

SPECIAL STUDY ZONE

Yes. Fire Hazard Zones and Earthquake Zones exist within the city of Oakland. For more information contact the Engineering Department for Earthquake Zone information – 238-2259, and the Fire Department for Fire Hazard Zones – 444-1616.

BONDS OR ASSESSMENTS

For information on the special assessment zones, call the Department of Finance – 238-3201. There is a school bond, call The Oakland Public Schools – 836-8582.

RENT CONTROL

See below for the information on the Rent Adjustment Program that would affect rents.

LANDLORD RESPONSIBLITY

There is a Notice to tenants of the Rent Adjustment Program. Owners are not required to file a copy of the notice with the City (the Rent Adjustment Program). Landlords should give this notice to their tenants at the beginning of their tenancy and with each subsequent rent increase. They should keep a copy for their records in the event the tenant files a Petition to contest a rent increase. It is also important that landlords keep a record of these notices if the property sold – the new owner needs to know that the tenant(s) have been given this notice, or as you note, they could be penalized. For more information contact the Residential Rent Adjustment Program at 238-3721.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES