CED Committee
July 14, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
AGENDA REPORT
Staff Recommends That The City Council Receive An Informational Report Regarding The Fiscal Year 2025-26 Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 Update On The Planning and Building Department's Code Enforcement Activities.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The primary goal of Code Enforcement is to promote public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring compliance related to property standards and community well-being. Its key objectives include maintaining safe and healthy living conditions, preserving community quality and appearance, ensuring property maintenance compliance, safeguarding property values, and preventing crime and vandalism through the regulation of vacant and abandoned properties.
Overall, Code Enforcement plays a vital role in fostering safe, healthy, and attractive neighborhoods within the City of Oakland (City). This Informational Report provides current information on the code enforcement activities of the Planning and Building Department (PBD) for the first and second quarters of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 (July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025). The PBD's Code Enforcement Division enforces compliance with building, housing, and zoning codes and regulations. It is important to note that although many other departments within the City enforce property-related regulations, such as Economic Workforce and Development Department (EWDD), Oakland Public Works Department (OPW), Oakland Fire Department (OFD), and Oakland Police Department (OPD), the data and work activities described in this report only pertain to PBD's enforcement activities under the Oakland Municipal Code (OMC).
TO: Elizabeth Lake, FROM: William A. Gilchrist,
Acting City Administrator Director, Planning &
Building Department
SUBJECT: FY 2025-26, Quarter 1 and Quarter 2
Update on Code Enforcement’s
Activities
DATE: May 21, 2026
City Administrator Approval Date:
Betsy Lake (Jul 1, 2026 15:28:12 PDT)
Jul 1, 2026
Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 2
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Purpose and Origin of Semi-Annual Code Enforcement Report
The City's FY 2015-17 Policy Budget contains a directive to provide an informational report on a quarterly basis to the City Council concerning the code enforcement activities of PBD. The purpose of the report is to update the City Council and the public on the range of code enforcement work being performed, the statistics related to those categories of enforcement, and key initiatives underway to improve the effectiveness of the Code Enforcement Division services.
At the Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee meeting on September 10, 2024, the CED provided direction to present this report semi-annually rather than on a quarterly basis This report follows the semi-annual basis as has been the adopted practice since the City Council’s September 10, 2024 direction.
The Code Enforcement Division of the Planning and Building Department (PBD) is dedicated to improving community livability through focused neighborhood revitalization efforts. Central to these initiatives is the reduction of blighted properties and the promotion of health and safety for residents and occupants of local structures. By having a direct focus on these concerns, Code Enforcement aims to foster a more vibrant and secure environment for all members of the Oakland community. During the current reporting period, Code Enforcement has played an active role as a collaborative partner in the Neighborhood Enhanced Services Team (NEST) program, which operates in East, West, and Central Oakland. The NEST initiative is designed to address the needs of High Priority Equity communities by deploying interdisciplinary teams that tackle a diverse array of neighborhood issues. Within NEST, Code Enforcement focuses its efforts on resolving problems related to several identified properties within specific service areas, thereby contributing to comprehensive strategies aimed at improving the quality of life for residents in these communities.
Beyond its engagement with NEST, the Code Enforcement Division also coordinates with the Abandoned Auto Task Force and the Encampment Management Team to address distinct challenges within Oakland. Through its partnership with the Abandoned Auto Task Force, Code Enforcement works to confront illegal business activities associated with vehicle thefts and vehicle stripping, reducing the prevalence of dismantled vehicles and improving the overall condition of Oakland’s neighborhoods. Meanwhile, collaboration with the Encampment Management Team enables Code Enforcement to provide mutual support in addressing blighted private properties, including evaluating operations for potential public nuisance status and implementing measures to clean up private property and city streets. These coordinated strategies help enhance safety and appearance throughout the community.
PBD has received an average of 1,837 complaints each quarter over the last 3 fiscal years. The lowest number of complaints occurred in FY 2022-23 Q2 where 1,319 complaints were received and the highest number of complaints received was in FY 2024-25, where 2,315 complaints were received. Factors that directly contributed to these averages include climatic changes including inclement weather. This data can be found on Attachment A, Slide 4.
Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 3
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
The City's Code Enforcement program aims to quickly and efficiently resolve property, building, and zoning code violations. Compliance timelines depend on violation complexity, owner cooperation, and appeals. The complaint-driven program's caseload fluctuates each quarter, as shown in Attachment A, Slide 4.
Complaint Submittal and Processing
Complaints are received through various channels including: Oak311, the Accela Online Permit Center, phone calls, emails, and walk-ins. These complaints are then forwarded to Code Enforcement administrative staff, who review each case and begin the enforcement process.
Depending on the details of the complaint, the property owner may receive either a Courtesy Notice, or staff may conduct an initial site inspection. For information about the number of first inspections conducted from Quarter 2 of FY 2022-23 to Quarter 2 of FY 2025-26, please refer to Slide 5 of Attachment A.
A Courtesy Notice is issued upon receipt of initial reports regarding minor blight or nuisance violations, such as noise disturbances, visible trash and debris, or other non-hazardous conditions. No property inspection is performed at this stage. Property owners are allotted twenty-one days to respond to the notice and may attest that the alleged violations are either unfounded or have been remedied by submitting the Property Owner Self-Certification form along with supporting photographs.
The initial inspection occurs upon receipt of a complaint and serves to determine whether the reported conditions constitute violations of the OMC. Details regarding initial inspections are provided in Attachment A, Slide 6. If a violation is confirmed during the site visit, a Notice of Violation (NOV) is issued, outlining both the violations and the corrective actions required.
NOVs may be issued for various reasons, including unpermitted work, unsecured or deteriorated vacant buildings, graffiti, hazardous conditions on private property, and unresolved repeated violations. Following the issuance of a NOV, subsequent inspections, known as "re- inspections" or "monitoring inspections," are conducted to verify that violations have been addressed. These follow-up inspections are detailed on Attachment A, Slide 6.
If the case does not constitute an imminent hazard, then the City allows corrective action to be taken without the assessment of fees for a 30-day period (plus five extra days for mailing) from the date of the NOV. For persistent non-compliance (when the owner does not abate the complaint by the compliance date stated on the NOV), the City initiates and continues to apply fines until abatement of the violation is achieved. The City will record the NOV with the County to alert potential interested parties to the existing violations. Properties that contain substandard conditions as defined by OMC 15.08.340 will escalate toward an Order to Abate or to a Declaration of Substandard and Public Nuisance. These actions carry substantial assessments and consequences, such as the demolition of a structure. The temporary or permanent relocation of occupants of a structure also may become necessary whenever there is unpermitted construction of a residential dwelling unit, depending on the extent of the corrections needed and the impact on habitability during the corrective construction.
Recipients of a NOV are given the right to appeal the violation(s). Such appeals must be filed within 21 days (plus five extra days for mailing) from the issuance date of the NOV. See Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 4
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
Attachment A:
• Slide 7 for the “Enforcement Actions for Compliance and Abatement”.
• Slide 9 for “Abated and Closed” Cases Reported between Quarter 2 of FY 2024-25 and Quarter 2 of FY 2025-26
• Slide 10 for “Abated and Closed” Cases Distribution by year cases were opened
• Slides 13 to 15 for the “Average Case Management Duration” (or timeframe for abatement), by category, for Quarters 1 and 2 of FY 2025-26.
• Slide 16 for “Total Open Cases” at the end of Quarter 2 of FY 2025-26.
• Slide 17 provides data on “Enforcement Fees Assessed” to gain compliance for Quarter 2 of FY 2024-25 to Quarter 2 of FY 2025-26.
• Slide 18 provides data on “Enforcement Fees Assessed and Collected” to gain compliance for Quarter 2 of FY 2024-25 to Quarter 2 of FY 2025-26; expressed as an amount of funds received, as well as a percentage of funds received based upon what has been assessed.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
The PBD Code Enforcement Program directly relates to the Citywide priorities of 1) holistic community safety and 2) housing, economic, and cultural security by providing the means and methods to verify and correct violations of the OMC as they relate to minimum maintenance standards for private property under the categories of property blight and graffiti, building maintenance, and zoning, as discussed below.
Code Enforcement Categories
Before outlining Code Enforcement categories, it is important to clarify which violations fall outside Code Enforcement jurisdiction. Code Enforcement only handles issues on private property, for example, items stored on a residential driveway that create a blighted condition or an attractive nuisance. If the same problem occurs on public property, like parks or sidewalks, it is managed by OPW. This also applies to the location of graffiti and similar violations. Below is an overview of Code Enforcement categories for reportable violations on private property.
Property Blight and Graffiti: It is unlawful for any person or corporation whether as owner or occupant in possession of the property to maintain any property in a blighted condition per OMC Chapter 8.24. A blighted property (i.e., residential, commercial, or industrial property) is one that exhibits a lack of maintenance, livability, and appearance that does not promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community. Blight includes: abandoned or unsecured buildings and structures; abandoned construction projects; dilapidated, deteriorated buildings; broken or missing windows, doors, fencing, signs, or retaining walls; defaced buildings; Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 5
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
overgrown vegetation; trash and debris; unclean, unsanitary property; garbage bins left in public view; open storage; property that creates a dangerous condition (i.e., erosion controls); unstable soil conditions; parking and storage of trailers, campers, recreational vehicles, boats, unregistered, inoperative vehicles, appliances, furniture, etc. Per OMC Chapters 8.24.050 and
8.10.110, complaints regarding blight and graffiti on residential, industrial, or commercial properties, as well as privately-owned vacant lots are inspected and issued a NOV. As mentioned above, illegal dumping of items on the street and sidewalk is commonly reported to the Code Enforcement Division of PBD, but this violation falls under the enforcement responsibility of OPW. In those instances, PBD makes a referral to OPW. Graffiti and other built environment-related issues on public property also fall under the enforcement responsibility of OPW.
Building Maintenance: It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building, structure, portion thereof, or real property or cause or allow the same to be done in violation of this Chapter 15.08 of the OMC. The provisions of the Code apply to real property and to all residential and non-residential buildings used, or designed or intended to be used, for human occupancy and habitation and all accessory buildings and structures on the same lot or parcel. Such occupancies in existing buildings may continue as provided in the Oakland Building Construction Code, except where the Building Official has issued an order to vacate after such structures are found to be substandard and public nuisance as defined in this Chapter, 15.08.030 of the OMC. While enforcement of blight is commonly straight-forward, building maintenance issues may require extensive investigation and research, as well as coordination with other departments like OFD, EWDD and Housing and Community Development (HCD), and guidance from the City Attorney’s Office to confirm the City's options under a range of enforcement scenarios. The City Attorney is an essential partner in the successful enforcement and resolution of PBD’s cases.
Zoning: It is unlawful to establish, substitute, expand, construct, alter, move, paint, maintain or otherwise change any structure, or to create or change lot lines, except in conformity with the Oakland General Plan per Chapter 17 of the OMC (Section 17.010.3). Regulations related to compliance and use for residential, commercial, and industrial zone designations include unpermitted business in residential areas, excessive signage/advertising signage, fencing height, construction noise, persistent noise, and other unapproved activity. Enforcement includes the issuance of Courtesy Notices, NOVs and enforcement noticing described under Building Maintenance to gain compliance.
Table 1 provides a general sample and categorization of the types of violations that come in as complaints.
Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 6
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
Table 1. Types of complaints by category
Property Maintenance (Blight)
(OMC 8.24)
Building Maintenance
(OMC 15.08)
(Minor) Zoning
(OMC Title 17)
Trash / Debris Unpermitted work Business in
residential zone
Graffiti Mold Construction noise
outside of permitted
hours
Overgrown vegetation Plumbing Fencing
(height/other)
Abatement and Case Clearance Issues
During FY 2025-26 Quarters 1 and 2, Code Enforcement received 2,146 and 1,763 complaints, respectively. Slide 16 of Attachment A depicts, for Quarters 1 and 2 of FY 2025-26 the caseload in each complaint category and open cases at the end of the last reporting period (Quarter 4 of FY 2025-26), new cases opened, cases abated and closed, as well as open cases at the end of both semi-annual reporting periods in question.
Code Enforcement violations are often viewed as similar, yet each case presents unique circumstances that necessitate distinct strategies and procedures for resolution.
As depicted in Table 2 below, at the end of Quarter 2, in the Property Maintenance (blight) category, open case volumes decreased from the previous reporting period (Quarter 1 and Quarter 2). Open case volumes decreased about 14 percent within the Building Maintenance category, while the number of open cases decreased 12 percent in the Zoning category.
Mitigating the growth in open cases is an identified focus area for the Code Enforcement Division.
Table 2. Growth of open cases by category: Quarter 1 and 2 of FY 2025-26 Property Maintenance
(Blight)
Building Maintenance (Minor) Zoning
Open cases decreased 10
percent through Quarter 2
from the last report, going
from 2,339 open cases to
2,111open cases.
In terms of abatement,
1,799 cases were opened
while 2,087 cases were
abated and closed.
Open cases decreased 13
percent through Quarter 2
from the prior report, going
from 3,227 open cases to
2,803 open cases.
In terms of abatement,
1,403 new cases were
opened, while 1,827 cases
were abated and closed.
Open cases decreased 12
percent through Quarter 2,
going from 769 open cases
to 677 open cases.
In terms of abatement, 703
new cases were opened
while 795 cases were abated
and closed.
The previous report for Quarters 3 and 4 of FY 2024-25 reflected an ongoing rise in cases.
Although Code Enforcement had improved its operational capacity and efficiency, which helped Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 7
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
slow down the increase in open cases, there was still notable growth, especially in the zoning category. As described in this report, increased operational capacity and efficiency resulted in a reduction in open cases, which is the primary goal.
PBD routinely monitors operational performance metrics and workload indicators to assess staffing needs for inspection and administrative functions. Resources are strategically allocated and work assignments are periodically redistributed to maintain operational effectiveness, address priority community concerns, and ensure critical services are delivered efficiently.
Code Enforcement Fees
Slides 17 and 18 of Attachment A reflect the volume of cases with violations that necessitated the imposition of fees and fines, over a one-year period. As depicted in those slides, enforcement fees collected have generally increased as the Code Enforcement Division’s capacity increased. Even the collection of monies owed from delinquent property owners is generally increasing through end of the previous reporting period, Quarter 2, having the highest percentage of funds collected based upon actual fees assessed. Why that particular quarter saw a higher amount collected can be explained by contributing factors such as the fact that Code Enforcement transferred Priority Lien amounts to the County of Alameda late in Quarter 1.
Amounts owed to the City then, theoretically, get paid along with property taxes in November (or Quarter 2). Code Enforcement is committed to ensuring that the costs of services provided are fully covered by fees and fines paid by delinquent property owners, and not the public at large.
Fees and penalties increase for property owners who don't comply, helping the City recover inspection and administrative costs. These charges are imposed only after communication efforts fail. The appeal process helps establish protections for property owners' rights.
Invoicing and Fees:
In Quarter 1 - 1,128 cases were invoiced, while in Quarter 2, this number decreased to 591 cases, reflecting a compliance trend. To emphasize this point, these fees and fines encourage property owners to address and abate code violations. The fees and fines assessed and collected are directly related to the costs incurred in remedying properties that generate public complaints. Ultimately, these costs are borne by non-responsive property owners who either: 1) do not appeal the violation notices they receive, or 2) lack valid reasons to contest those notices.
Key Initiatives
The following bullet points briefly outline key initiatives—such as new methods, partnerships, technical training, personnel updates, programs, and permitting efficiencies—that will affect the Code Enforcement Division’s ability to close cases. Some of these key initiatives are highlighted in Attachment A, Slide 19. Several programs will temporarily increase Code Enforcement’s caseload, while others should reduce complaints over time. For example, hiring additional Inspectors and staff has helped lower individual workloads, whereas enforcing new standards for lead-based paint is likely to raise the caseload.
Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 8
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
Increased recruitment efforts and improved interdepartmental coordination will be reflected by a gradual decline in the number of open cases. Expanding the Inspector staff is essential. To support this effort, PBD continues to prioritize hiring with assistance from the Human Resources Department through a continuous recruitment process for the Specialty Combination Inspector positions and the reestablishment of the Assistant Code Enforcement Inspector classification.
The goal is to strengthen staffing levels within Code Enforcement and increase overall departmental capacity.
Additionally, PBD onboarded three exempt limited duration employee (ELDE) Code Enforcement Inspector Assistants to help manage the workload more effectively and is planning to fill an additional three Office Assistant II positions, along with one Administrative Assistant, to further bolster the department’s staffing.
As of the end of Quarter 2, the department filled three ELDE positions. The increase in the number of resolved cases during this period is primarily attributed to staffing up. The department remains committed to expanding its staffing resources to better address the growing case volume.
As a result of staffing -up the Code Enforcement unit, PBD’s service delivery has improved inspection response and abatement times from the last reporting period. For example, in the last reporting period PBD had an average of 26 days from case intake to abatement for blight complaints, while the current reporting period shows a reduction to 17 business day, a 35 percent improvement (see Attachment A, Slides 13 to 15).
Staff Coordination, Training and Hiring
The Code Enforcement Division holds weekly internal staff meetings and facilitates a scheduled bi-weekly meeting with other City departments including OFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau, City Attorney’s Office, EWDD, and HCD to address effective and timely responses for complex cases.
o The Acting Principal Inspection Supervisor and Senior Inspectors in the Code Enforcement Division frequently participate in meetings with the Chief Building Official, Acting Inspections Manager, other staff, and representatives from the City Attorney’s Office, OPW, Encampment Management Team, and other departments and divisions.
These ongoing meetings help to clarify strategies for ensuring compliance or determining whether to escalate enforcement actions on complex cases, depending on the specific issues involved.
o Code Enforcement Inspectors regularly participate in training to improve their knowledge and skills related to their duties. This includes customer service training, Situational Awareness Training, and collaborations with Alameda County Public Guardian (Adult Protective Services and Children and Family Services) and the Oakland Police Encampment Management Team (EMT) unit. These training sessions help inspectors better navigate the complexities and interpersonal dynamics inherent in their profession.
o To enhance efficiency and adapt to staffing changes, Inspectors and administrative staff are continually cross-trained in different focus areas. In some cases, team members Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 9
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
have been reassigned to various units, such as Residential Inspections, Code Enforcement, or Commercial Inspections.
o In Quarters 1 and 2, Code Enforcement added three ELDE Code Enforcement Inspector Assistants. During the reporting period, there was also: one Senior Public Service Representative, one Administrative Analyst I, two Administrative Analyst II’s, two Administrative Assistants, and three Office Assistants assigned to work on the abatement of the 4,706 cases that have been abated and closed during this period, detailed on Attachment A, Slide 9.
Digital Enhancements
Inspections App: The Code Enforcement Division in collaboration with PBD Digital Division has completed development of the Code Enforcement Inspector App, which went live on March 1, 2024. The app has since been used exclusively for all field work, and the automation has shown to reduce the time inspectors spend in the office typing notices and has allowed for gradual increases in inspection capacity as staff continue to improve the app. This is reflected in Attachment A, Slide 6 where the quarterly number of first inspections began to rise (beginning in Quarter 3 of FY 2023-24) above the long-term trend to settle at 1,200 to 1,300 inspections per quarter.
The use of the app and the creation of automated Notices of Violation have led the Code Enforcement Division to discover the need for Address Parcel Owner (APO) information to be updated more frequently in Accela, to ensure that any changes in legal ownership are captured in a more timely manner. Currently, the contract between Accela and the City only allows for APO information to be updated quarterly. The Code Enforcement Division needs, at minimum, monthly updates to comply with legal noticing requirements as per OMC 15.08.110. Doing so would also reduce the number of corrections, amendments, and the re-mailing of notices that administrative staff have to undertake, thereby reducing a source of additional delays in the process of property owner notification. As of this reporting period, this is still an on-going conversation.
Notwithstanding this operating constraint and minor issues, work continues to take place with the app to improve efficiency and accuracy. Highlights of the Code Enforcement Inspector App include:
• Reduced time spent by inspectors in the office generating Notices of Violations manually.
• Ability to create a NOV instantaneously upon resulting inspection in the field. • Checklist-based violation documentation based on the OMC, with specific violation images and corrective action populated for each violation identified. • The ability to create “favorites” of common notes for staff to copy and paste their most used inspection results and a streamlined process to easily result the inspection in the field.
• The ability for emergency structural assessment responders dispatched by Oakland Fire to easily document and create cases in the field during their response.
Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 10
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
Finally, there are plans underway to expand the Code Enforcement Inspector App’s capabilities by adding Exterior Elevated Element enforcement as per the legal requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 721 and SB 326.
Implementation of Recent Laws and Regulations
Code Enforcement operations are regularly impacted by the adoption of new or revised Municipal Codes or by new State or Federal laws and programs. The adoption of superseding jurisdictional laws can lead to adjustments in how complaints may be legally processed, how complaints are categorized, the manner in which inspections are performed, and the legal requirement for prioritization, escalation, or penalties for certain violations. The most recent laws and programs include:
• Lead Based Paint Hazard Abatement Standards adopted into the OMC in December 2022: require all residential properties built before 1978 to obtain permits to confirm practices consistent with federal and state regulations are followed when presumed lead-based paint is disturbed due to painting and or construction activities.
• Adoption of Assembly Bill (AB) 838 – This requires local agencies to promptly respond to tenant complaints about substandard or unsafe housing conditions when a complaint is reported to the City.
• Standards for Delayed Enforcement for Accessory Dwelling Units and Joint Live/Work Quarters (JLWQ) adopted into the OMC in December 2022: when correction of violations is not necessary for health and safety, this Delay of Enforcement provides properties with non-compliant spaces to obtain a five-year period to bring the property into full compliance as long as minimum health and safety regulations are in place, as required by state law.
• Adoption of AB 548, which enhances code enforcement procedures as they relate to inspection protocols when a substandard condition is found in multi-unit residential buildings. This bill requires that Code Enforcement Divisions reasonably attempt to inspect other units at a property where an affected unit has been found.
• Proactive Rental Inspection Program (PRIP): The development of the Proactive Rental Inspection Program (PRIP) is underway and is being coordinated to align with the launch of the Equitable Lead Hazard Abatement Program (ELHAP). Similarly, the Planning and Building Department (PBD) is collaborating closely with Housing and Community Development (HCD) colleagues to ensure seamless integration and effective interface between both programs.
Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 11
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this Informational Report.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No public outreach has been conducted for this informational report beyond the required posting to the City’s website.
COORDINATION
This report was prepared in coordination with the City Administrator’s Office and the Office of the City Attorney.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
This is an informational report, so there are no actions requested of the Council. The following areas of impact and opportunity are noted for further consideration.
Economic: Code enforcement activities have economic benefits by preserving quality of life and ensuring safety for Oakland residents, business owners, and visitors.
Environmental: Code enforcement activities have environmental benefits by enforcing codes designed to protect the environment and residents from adverse environmental impacts.
Race & Equity: Enforcement activities can have equity implications. For example, with the current complaint-based system, people with access to the system are more likely to submit complaints. Conversely, historically marginalized communities living in substandard conditions may be reluctant to submit complaints and may need outside assistance to make their buildings safer. With AB 548 cited in this Report (Implementation of Recent Laws and Regulations) , PBD is taking an incremental step towards proactive inspection to supplement the current complaint-based system to better achieve equity in safe, affordable, and healthy housing.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff recommends that the City Council receive an Informational Report regarding the FY 2025- 26 Quarters 1 and 2 update on the Planning and Building Department’s Code Enforcement activities.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Cecilia Muela, Chief Building Official, at 510- 238-6315.
Elizabeth Lake, Acting City Administrator
Subject: Code Enforcement Quarterly Report: FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2 Date: May 21, 2026 Page 12
CED Committee
July 14, 2026
Respectfully submitted,
William Gilchrist (Jul 1, 2026 14:03:50 PDT)
WILLIAM A. GILCHRIST
Director, Planning and Building Department
Reviewed by:
Cecilia Muela, Chief Building Official
Planning and Building Department
Prepared by:
Michael Johnson, Administrative Analyst II
Planning and Building Department
Anita Dharnidarka, Business Analyst III
Planning and Building Department
Luke Gunari, Specialty Combination Inspector
Planning and Building Department
Attachments (1):
A: Quarterly Code Enforcement Data and Statistics FY 2025-26, Quarters 1 and 2.
Attachment A
Code Enforcement Bi-Annual Report
FY 2025-26
Quarter 1: Jul – Sep 2025
Quarter 2: Oct – Dec 2025
Mariano Rojo
Acting CE Inspections Supervisor
Planning and Building Department
City of Oakland 2
• Quarterly Complaint Volume by Category
• Initial and Re-Inspections by Category
• Average Case Resolution Time
• Enforcement Actions Issued
• Enforcement Fees Assessed
• Cases Abated and Closed
• Total Open Cases at the End of Quarter
• Additional Online Resources
Contents
City of Oakland 3
Top Complaints by Category
Blight / Property
Maintenance
[OMC 8.24]
Housing
Maintenance
[OMC 15.08]
Zoning
[OMC Title 17]
Trash / Debris Unpermitted work Business in residential zone Graffiti Mold Fencing (height, other)
Overgrown vegetation Lack of adequate heat Construction noise outside of permitted hours
Trash/recycle bins left
curbside past collection day Plumbing Equipment setback Use of gas-powered leaf
blower Electrical Livestock, e.g. roosters
City of Oakland 4
Quarterly Complaint Volume by Category
FY 2023 Q4 – FY 2026 Q2
695 669
1070 1070
850 840
1202
1334
908 918
1134
1024
777
387
559
544 599
522
648
648
675
595 664
562 708
695
237
167
224
278
200
226
349
306
243
288
356
414
291
1,319
1,395
1,838
1,947
1,572
1,714
2,199
2,315
1,746
1,870
2,052
2,146
1,763
0 200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2400
Blight Housing Maintenance Zoning
FY 23 FY 23 FY 23 FY 24 FY 24 FY 24 FY 24 FY 25 FY 25 FY 25 FY 25 FY 26 FY 26 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 City of Oakland 5
Initial Inspections
FY 2023 Q2 – FY 2026 Q2
404 335 425 420 410 436
583
1026
598
465 506
382 331
342 483
475 514 441
651
565
674
737
623 572
619 658
149 91
110
153
110
147
149
159
154
167 200
162 169
0 200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
FY23
Q2
FY23
Q3
FY23
Q4
FY24
Q1
FY24
Q2
FY24
Q3
FY24
Q4
FY25
Q1
FY25
Q2
FY25
Q3
FY25
Q4
FY26
Q1
FY26
Q2
Blight Housing Zoning
City of Oakland 6
Enforcement
Category
Blighted
Property
(Including
graffiti)
Housing
Maintenance
Zoning
(Including
Noise)
Total
Initial
Inspections 713 1,277 331 2,321
Re-Inspections
and Monitoring
Inspections
2,231 5,630 766 8,627
Total
Inspections 2,944 6,907 1,173 10,948
Inspections (site visits)
Q1 and Q2 Jul – Dec 2025
City of Oakland 7
Enforcement
Action Definition Cases
Clean-up
Contract
An agreement with the owner agreeing to pay
the cost of City-facilitated clean-up. 8
Notice of
Repeat
Violation
The same or similar violation has been verified
within 24 months. 2
Stop Work
Order Stops unpermitted work or work beyond scope 92
Compliance
Plan
A path to compliance that includes fees and
abatement measures. 33
Enforcement Actions Issued
Q1 and Q2 Jul through Dec 2025
Code Enforcement: Before & After #1
City of Oakland 9
Abated & Closed*
FY 2025 Q2 – FY 2026 Q2
*Includes non-actionable (referred to other agencies)
and referred cases (multiple complaints)
1,395
847 862
1,087 997
962
527 543
883 944
322
230 312
432 363
0 500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
FY 25 Q2 FY 25 Q3 FY 25 Q4 FY 26 Q1 FY 26 Q2
Blight Housing Zoning
City of Oakland 10
Abated & Closed
FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26
Distribution by Year Case was Opened
1.5%
45 2.7%
81 6.1%
183
89.7%
2,678
FY 22 FY 23 FY 24 FY 25
Each Bar represents the percentage of
cases, opened in various fiscal years, that
were abated and closed in Quarters 1 and
2 of FY 2025-26.
City of Oakland 11
Code Enforcement: Before #2
August 19, 2025
City of Oakland 12
Code Enforcement: After #2
November 6, 2025
City of Oakland 13
Average Case Resolution - Blight
Q1 and Q2 Jul to Dec 2025
Average time from complaint intake, initial inspection, NOV, to violation abatement within the quarter:
17 Business Days
ABATEMENTCASE
INTAKE
INITIAL
INSPECTION
NOTICE OF
VIOLATION
SENT
8 Days 5 Days 40 Days
City of Oakland 14
Average Case Resolution - Housing
Q1 and Q2 Jul to Dec 2025
Average time from complaint intake, initial inspection, NOV, to violation abatement within the quarter:
12 Business Days
ABATEMENTCASE
INTAKE
INITIAL
INSPECTION
NOTICE OF
VIOLATION
SENT
6 Days 10 Days 40 Days
City of Oakland 15
Average Case Resolution - Zoning
Q1 and Q2 Jul to Dec 2025
Average time from complaint intake, initial inspection, NOV, to violation abatement within the quarter:
13 Business Days
ABATEMENTCASE
INTAKE
INITIAL
INSPECTION
NOTICE OF
VIOLATION
SENT
7 Days 13 Days 33 Days
City of Oakland 16
Type
Open
Cases at
End of Q4
New Cases
through Q2
Abated
and
Closed
Open Cases
End of
Quarter 2
Blight 2,339 1,799 2,087 2,111
Maintenance 3,227 1,403 1,827 2,803
Zoning 769 703 795 677
Total 6,335 3,905 4,709 5,591
Total Open Cases
FY 2025-26 Q1 and Q2 - Jul through Dec
2025
City of Oakland 17
Enforcement Fees Assessed
Quarter Cases
Invoiced
Fees
(Includes
Bonds)
Bonds for
Compliance
Plan
FY25 Q2 370 $2,046,324 $23,000
FY25 Q3 626 $2,348,799 $103,500
FY25 Q4 965 $2,852,366 $81,000
FY26 Q1 1128 $2,500,831 $76,501
FY26 Q2 591 $2,184,114 $94,000
FY 2024-25 Q2 – FY 2025-26 Q2
City of Oakland 18
Enforcement Fees Assessed/Collected
Quarter Cases
Invoiced
Fees
(Includes
Bonds)
Funds
Received
Percentage
of Funds
Collected
FY25 Q2 370 $2,046,324 $1,282,540 62%
FY25 Q3 626 $2,348,799 $674,246 28%
FY25 Q4 965 $2,852,366 $1,186,950 41%
FY 2024-25 Q2 – FY 2025-26 Q2
FY26 Q1 1128 $2,500,831 $2,298,237 91%
FY26 Q2 591 $2,184,114 $4,092,509 187%
City of Oakland 19
• Digital Enhancements: Code Enforcement Inspector App -Reduces Inspector time on tedious administrative tasks
• Rapid permits allow for ease of obtaining permits that are required for compliance where there is no structural work involved.
• Collaborative work with the EMT to address blighted properties where an encampment exists or where there may be a potential for encampment growth
• Collaborative work with OFD Prevention Bureau to address properties in blighted or hazardous conditions requiring a expeditious response anda preventive response
• Collaborative work with EWD to identify code compliance hazards, unpermitted work, and/or zoning violations
• Proactive Rental Inspection Program: Coordinated with Equitable Lead Hazard Abatement Program and focusing on older rental housing and marginalized tenants within that type of housing
Key Initiatives
City of Oakland 20
• Notice of Violations available to public at
https://aca.accela.com/OAKLAND/Cap/CapHome.as
px?module=Enforcement&TabName=Enforcement
• Previous Code Enforcement Reports are
available at https://www.oaklandca.gov/Planning-
Building/Code-Enforcement-Services/City-of-
Oakland-Quarterly-Building-Code-Enforcement-
Reports
Additional Information