Codes and Ordinances
Oakland is one of several California cities to have adopted a "sunshine" ordinance. These ordinances attempt to provide the public with greater opportunities to access public meetings and information. They also create special obligations on City employees to ensure these opportunities are fulfilled.
The Oakland Sunshine Ordinance and the State of California's open meeting law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, contain specific requirements to ensure that the public has an effective right to learn about, attend, and participate in public meetings. With few exceptions, all city boards, commissions, and their respective committees must conduct their business publicly and provide ample notice of the items to be considered.
In addition, the Oakland Sunshine Ordinance, together with the California Public Records Act, governs how and under what circumstances the City must respond to requests for public information.
For assistance in meeting the specific requirements of the Brown Act, the Public Records Act and the Oakland Sunshine Ordinance please refer to the guide in the Public Ethics Commissions section of this website.
Oakland Municipal Code - A Codification of the General Ordinances of the City of Oakland, California up to date through Ordinance No. 13016, passed May 18, 2010. This Code is organized to make the laws of the city as accessible as possible to city officials, city employees and private citizens.
Oakland Planning Code - A Codification of the General Planning Ordinances of the City of Oakland, California up to date through Ordinance 13028, passed July 20, 2010.
