Albert Lopez
Planning Director
Planning

Code Enforcement


Welcome to the Code Enforcement Web page. We work with our unincorporated communities to protect residents' quality of life, tenant's rights to safe and habitable housing, to keep neighborhoods clean and safe, free of blight and nuisance and to protect property values by enforcing land use regulations.

The Code Enforcement Division primarily enforces the following ordinances in the Unincorporated Areas of Alameda County:

To file a complaint please use our Code Enforcement Complaint Form.

Code Enforcement Program

The County's Code Enforcement Staff works together with neighborhood associations, residents, housing providers, rental housing tenants, and business owners to eliminate those situations that could lead to unsightly and decaying conditions.

Rental Inspection Pilot Program Until December 31, 2024.
Reactive complaint system to improve service to tenant complaints of housing Quality, Maintenance concerns and Substandard Code Violations in the Unincorporated Alameda County.

  • Approved by the Board of Supervisors on March 2023.
  • Inspect, identify, and enforce habitability and housing code violations.
  • Provide referrals.
  • Collect data - to see what type of system can be in place after the pilot program.

Code Enforcement Procedures for the Ordinance Violations

This information is intended as a convenient reference to increase your understanding of the Code Enforcement process and assist you, your business and your neighborhood association in promoting a safe, healthy and attractive community.

  • After receiving a complaint, staff will conduct a site visit to verify and document (photo) the alleged violation normally within 3 to 5 days.
  • If violations are verified, staff will send a "Notice of Violation" letter to the property owner and a copy to the tenant if applicable.
  • For violations that are not abatable, staff will apply fines to the property owner. These fines will increase with time until the violation is corrected.
  • After the time specified for correcting the violation has elapsed, (in most cases 3 - 15 days) staff will conduct a re-inspection. If the violation(s) is corrected, the case is closed. If the violation(s) is not corrected staff may send a "Final Notice to Abate" letter together with a "Hearing Notice" that lists the violation, address, date and time of the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) "Nuisance Hearing." A re-inspection fee is assessed at this time.
  • On the Monday prior to the Board of Zoning Adjustments nuisance hearing, staff will conduct a re-inspection. If the property is not in compliance, staff proceeds with a staff report to present to the Board of Zoning Adjustments hearing.
  • At the hearing before the BZA, staff presents a report that includes details of the violation(s), staff's actions and any other detailed information that may be necessary. Staff will recommend the action required and a timeframe for the owner to abate the violation(s) (not to exceed 60 days). A $50 hearing fee is assessed at this time.
  • If BZA agrees with staff, the property is declared a "public nuisance" and an abatement "order" is issued. The order specifies the violation, the methods to correct the violation and the timeframe in which the violation is to be corrected.
  • If after the time(s) specified in the abatement order(s) elapses and the property is still not in compliance, staff will proceed with an abatement whereby a County approved contractor is hired to clean up the property for abatable violations.
  • An inspection and abatement warrant may be obtained if consent to enter the property to perform the abatement was sought and not obtained or denied by the property owner.
  • For violations that are not abatable, staff will apply fines to the property owner. These fines will increase with time until the violation is corrected.
  • All abatement cost, staff time and administrative fees are billed to the property owner. If the bill is not paid, a lien is placed on the property and is collected with the yearly tax bill.

Property owners can appeal the fines and fees applied for non-compliance within the timeframe specified in the failed re-inspection notice (usually within 10 days). If the appeal is accepted a BZA Hearing will be scheduled. A $50 fee is required.

Decisions made by the BZA can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors (usually within 10 days) from the BZA hearing date. A $25 hearing fee is required.

If you have any questions regarding the information listed here or other procedures or violations regarding Code Enforcement, please call (510) 670-5460 or email PlanningCode.Enforcement@acgov.org.

NOTE: Code Enforcement has jurisdiction over private property. Dumping on the street should be referred to the Public Works Agency and abandoned vehicles on the street should be referred to the Sheriff's Department.