Blight Removal
One of the biggest detractors to the quality of life in some Oakland neighborhoods is blight. Examples:
- Deteriorating and unsafe buildings
- Inadequate sewers and street lighting
- Vacant, uninhabitable commercial space
- Dilapidated, overcrowded and unsafe housing
- Unsafe or unsanitary buildings
- Illegally dumped trash
- Graffiti
These conditions, and others, are a drain on the community and a hindrance to business investment.
The Oakland Housing Code and the Oakland Planning Code help the City fight blight. Code enforcement can force private owners to clean up, repair or tear down blighted property.
To report blight on private property, call (510) 238-3381. To report blight on public property, call (510) 615-5566 or e-mail PWACallCenter@oaklandnet.com. Or use this convenient online form.
If you witness illegal dumping on public property, help us by reporting the incident. Each year, the City of Oakland spends thousands of dollars to haul away tons of trash from the public right-of-way. We need your help to address this problem.
Foreclosed homes and residential buildings are likely targets for blight. To minimize the impact of vacant foreclosed property, the City requires owners, mortgagers or trustees to register these properties and monitor and maintain them. Learn more about the Vacant Building Registration Program, by calling (510) 238-3891.
The Neighborhood Project Initiative program is an annual community grant program that funds one-time, small-scale, community-initiated physical improvement projects. The projects must benefit the community and be located within one of the participating redevelopment project boundaries. The $5,000 to $10,000 grants support existing blight reduction and beautification efforts and encourage community participation in revitalizing our neighborhoods. The program grant cycle starts in the spring. Click here to learn more.
The Keep Oakland Beautiful program provides small grants ($200 to $500) through a pilot program that encourages local citizens and community groups to clean and beautify the city. Designed to foster local solutions and community improvement, the grant program has two funding cycles. Deadlines are April 30 (summer) and September 30 (winter). Examples of projects include the makeover of a park or beautifying a section of a neighborhood. Grants will be awarded to individuals or groups that demonstrate creativity and/or community renewal. Evidence of sustainability of the project after the grant funding ends is also a criteria. Click here to learn more.
If you and your neighbors want an ongoing role in maintaining an area that needs a little extra attention – such as a median strip or bus stop –, consider the Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Block programs. To learn more call (510) 238-7630 or click here.
If you are a property owner who has received a code compliance violation, call (510) 238-3381 to address cleanup. If your violation isn’t addressed within the allotted time, you may face cleanup fees and fines. Unpaid fines and fees will result in a lien on your property.
