City of Oakland California

The Nuisance Abatement Program promotes the health and safety of Oakland citizens by preventing, identifying, and eliminating public nuisances.

What is a public nuisance?

A public nuisance is any criminal activity that violates health or safety, or that interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life. Types of activities include (but are not limited to):

Inadequate sanitation
Structural and electrical hazards
Abandoned or deteriorated property
Criminal activity
Excessive noise
Litter
Graffiti
Possession or drinking of open containers of alcohol in public
Poor weather protection
Public drunkenness
Fire Hazards
Zoning violations
Inadequate fire protection
Documented drug dealing
Loitering
Abandoned vehicles
Weeds & trash in yard

How do I report a nuisance?

You may file a report online or mail to:

Nuisance Abatement Division
City Administrator's Office
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 1st Floor
Oakland, CA 94612

Required Information:

• Description of the property (including address and owner information if you know it)
• A description of the nuisance and nuisance type (for example, crime, litter, excessive noise )
• Name of the person causing the nuisance, if you know it
• Length of time the nuisance has been occurring

Optional

• Community contacts: Neighborhood Services Coordinator or Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (if applicable)
• City department to which you first referred your issue
• Tracking number (if you have one), Code Complaint number or Police Report number or other assigned number (Fire, Planning, etc.)

What happens after a nuisance is reported?

Once you have submitted your information, we will investigate and try to resolve the situation. If the nuisance is not stopped, we may impose penalties such as fines or eviction.

What can I do if I am a landlord?

Oakland has experienced a significant problem with owners of rental property who have tenants committing illegal acts, or tenants who are using the property to further the illegal acts of others. This illegal activity presents a serious threat to the health, safety and welfare of other citizens.

The Nuisance Eviction Ordinance provides the City a process for remedying these nuisance crimes without displacing innocent tenants.

Types of crimes covered by the Nuisance Eviction Ordinance

• Drugs and controlled substances – any activity related to possession, sale, use or manufacturing
• Gang-related crime
• Violent crime or threat of violent crime

To Start the Nuisance Eviction Process

Send your nuisance referral to:

Greg Minor
Assistant to the City Administrator
Nuisance Abatement Division
City Administrator's Office
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 11th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
phone: (510) 238-6370
fax: (510) 238-7084 
email:gminor@oaklandnet.com

Required Information

• Police Report
• Name and address of tenant
• Location of incident
• Type of crime and proximity from residence

Recommended Information

• Name and contact information of neighborhood or community contact who had background information about the nuisance activity 

Resources

Public Nuisance Ordinance
Nuisance Eviction Ordinance