Contents of Berkeley Municipal Code

Title 1 General Provisions
- Ch. 1.01 Code Adoption
- Ch. 1.04 General Provisions
- Ch. 1.12 City Jail
- Ch. 1.16 Right of Entry for Inspection
- Ch. 1.20 General Penalty
- Ch. 1.22 Human Rights Policy
- Ch. 1.24 Abatement of Nuisances
- Ch. 1.26 Violations Declared Public Nuisance
- Ch. 1.28 Administrative Citations
Title 2 Administration
- Ch. 2.04 City Council
- Ch. 2.06 Open Government
- Ch. 2.07 Revolving Door Restrictions
- Ch. 2.08 Officers’ and Employees’ Bonds
- Ch. 2.09 Lobbyist Registration and Regulations
- Ch. 2.10 Citizens Redistricting Commission
- Ch. 2.12 Election Reform Act
- Ch. 2.14 Elections – Instant Runoff Voting
- Ch. 2.16 Elections--Candidates’ Fees
- Ch. 2.18 Elections--Record of Community Service
- Ch. 2.20 Repealed by Ordinance No. 7022-NS
- Ch. 2.24 City Auditor’s Office
- Ch. 2.36 City Manager’s Department
- Ch. 2.38 City Manager--Rehabilitation Loans
- Ch. 2.39 City Manager--Commercial Loans
- Ch. 2.42 City Clerk Department
- Ch. 2.43 Office of Economic Development
- Ch. 2.44 Finance Department
- Ch. 2.45 Department of Information Technology
- Ch. 2.46 Human Resources Department
- Ch. 2.50 Health, Housing and Community Services Department
- Ch. 2.56 City Attorney’s Office
- Ch. 2.61 Planning and Development Department
- Ch. 2.62 Repealed
- Ch. 2.64 Police Department
- Ch. 2.65 Fire Department
- Ch. 2.72 Public Works Department
- Ch. 2.74 Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department
- Ch. 2.80 Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
- Ch. 2.86 Access to Corpus Information
- Ch. 2.88 Emergency Services, Disaster Council, and Disaster and Fire Safety Commission
- Ch. 2.90 Binding Review of Initiative and Referendum Petitions by the City Clerk as to Form
- Ch. 2.92 Permit and Service Fees
- Ch. 2.94 Public Safety Dispatchers
- Ch. 2.96 Judicial Review of Final Decisions Made by the City in Quasi-Judicial Proceedings
- Ch. 2.98 Disposition of Unclaimed Money Seized in Drug-Related Arrests
- Ch. 2.99 Acquisition and Use of Surveillance Technology
- Ch. 2.100 Police Equipment and Community Safety Ordinance
Title 3 Boards, Commissions and Committees
- Ch. 3.02 Automatic Termination of Appointments
- Ch. 3.04 Board of Library Trustees
- Ch. 3.08 Berkeley Animal Care Commission
- Ch. 3.12 Civic Arts Commission
- Ch. 3.16 Commission on Aging
- Ch. 3.24 Landmarks Preservation Commission
- Ch. 3.26 Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Commission
- Ch. 3.27 Children, Youth, and Recreation Commission
- Ch. 3.28 Planning Commission
- Ch. 3.32 Police Review Commission
- Ch. 3.36 Repealed
- Ch. 3.40 Zero Waste Commission
- Ch. 3.42 Youth Commission
- Ch. 3.48 Commission on the Status of Women
- Ch. 3.60 Industrial Development Authority
- Ch. 3.62 Commission on Labor
- Ch. 3.64 Interpreting City Charter Section 36 Concerning Membership on Boards and Commissions
- Ch. 3.66 Commission on Disability
- Ch. 3.68 Peace and Justice Commission
- Ch. 3.72 Loan Administration Board
- Ch. 3.74 Cable Television Task Force
- Ch. 3.76 Community Health Commission
- Ch. 3.78 Human Welfare and Community Action Commission
- Ch. 3.80 Abrogating Common Law Doctrine of Incompatible Public Offices with Respect to Membership on Two or More City Boards or Commissions and Prohibiting City Employees from Being Appointed to or Sitting on Boards and Commissions
- Ch. 3.82 Environment and Climate Commission
Title 4 Personnel
- Ch. 4.04 Personnel System
- Ch. 4.20 Fire Department Pension System
- Ch. 4.24 Police Department Pension System
- Ch. 4.28 Police and Fire Employees Pension
- Ch. 4.32 Pension Systems--Cost of Living Adjustment
- Ch. 4.36 Supplementary Retirement and Income Plan I
- Ch. 4.38 Supplementary Retirement and Income Plan II
- Ch. 4.39 Supplementary Retirement and Income Plan III
- Ch. 4.40 Employee Cafeteria Plan
- Ch. 4.42 Employee Dependent Care Assistance Plan
Title 5 (Reserved)
Title 6 Public Property
- Ch. 6.04 Berkeley Aquatic Park
- Ch. 6.08 Berkeley Municipal Wharf
- Ch. 6.12 Civic Center
- Ch. 6.13 Appropriation for Public Art for Municipal Capital Improvement Projects
- Ch. 6.14 Visual Art in Public Places
- Ch. 6.15 Restrictions on Barbecues and Fires on Public Property
- Ch. 6.16 Cemeteries
- Ch. 6.20 Marina Rules and Regulations
- Ch. 6.21 Mooring or Anchoring within the Water Boundaries of the City
- Ch. 6.24 Municipal Off-Street Parking Facilities
- Ch. 6.28 Public Parks--Traffic Regulations
- Ch. 6.32 Parks and Public Pathways--Use Restrictions
- Ch. 6.36 Recreation and Park Facilities--Rules, Regulations and Rental Charges
- Ch. 6.40 Public Housing
- Ch. 6.42 Public Parks and Open Space Preservation
- Ch. 6.46 Park Events
- Ch. 6.50 Prohibition on Feeding Wild Animals on Public Property
- Ch. 6.52 Moratorium on the Removal of Coast Live Oak Trees
Title 7 Finance, Revenue and Taxes
- Ch. 7.04 Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund
- Ch. 7.08 Park Acquisition, Development and Renovation Fund
- Ch. 7.10 Parks, Trees and Landscaping Maintenance Tax
- Ch. 7.12 Public Liability Fund
- Ch. 7.14 Catastrophic Loss Trust Fund
- Ch. 7.18 Expenditure Limitations
- Ch. 7.19 Development of Community Recreation Facilities by Non-Profit Organizations
- Ch. 7.20 Claims for Refund of Taxes and Assessments
- Ch. 7.22 Delinquency Dates for Taxes Payable Under Chapters 7.36, 7.48 and 9.04
- Ch. 7.24 Assessment and Tax Collection
- Ch. 7.26 Protecting Confidentiality of Taxpayer Information
- Ch. 7.28 Documentary Transfer Tax
- Ch. 7.32 Sales and Use Tax
- Ch. 7.36 Transient Occupancy Tax
- Ch. 7.40 Off-Street Parking Revenue Bonds
- Ch. 7.44 Renter Property Tax Relief
- Ch. 7.48 Parking Space Rental Tax
- Ch. 7.52 Real Property Transfer Tax
- Ch. 7.54 Empty Homes Tax
- Ch. 7.56 Library Relief Act of 1980
- Ch. 7.60 City of Berkeley Health, Recreation and Sports Facilities Financing Law
- Ch. 7.64 General Obligation Bonds
- Ch. 7.70 Utility Users Tax
- Ch. 7.71 Transportation Network Company User Tax
- Ch. 7.72 Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Product Distribution Tax
- Ch. 7.74 Revenue Bonds for Commercial and Residential Projects
- Ch. 7.76 Clean Stormwater Fund
- Ch. 7.80 Fire Prevention and Preparedness Assessment
- Ch. 7.81 Special Tax to Fund Fire Protection and Emergency Response and Preparedness
- Ch. 7.82 Fire Safety Services Tax
- Ch. 7.83 Fire, Emergency Medical Response, 9-1-1 Communications Services, Hazard Mitigation, and Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness Tax
- Ch. 7.84 Elmwood Business Improvement District
- Ch. 7.88 Emergency Services for Severely Physically Disabled Persons Tax
- Ch. 7.90 Emergency Medical Services Tax
- Ch. 7.92 Firearm and Firearm Ammunition Seller Tax
- Ch. 7.94 Property and Business Improvement District
- Ch. 7.96 Downtown Berkeley Business Improvement District
- Ch. 7.97 Berkeley Solano Avenue Business Improvement District
- Ch. 7.98 Special Tax Financing Law
Title 8 (Reserved)
Title 9 Business Licenses and Regulations
- Ch. 9.04 Business Licenses
- Ch. 9.08 Advertising Matter
- Ch. 9.12 Video Surveillance Systems
- Ch. 9.18 Bingo
- Ch. 9.22 Sale of Fur Products
- Ch. 9.32 Massage Therapy
- Ch. 9.36 Secondhand Merchandise Sales
- Ch. 9.40 Peddlers and Solicitors
- Ch. 9.48 Sidewalk Vending--Arts and Crafts; Flowers
- Ch. 9.49 Food Vending on Sidewalks and Rights-of-Way
- Ch. 9.50 Legal Rights for Legal Tender
- Ch. 9.52 Taxicabs and Automobiles for Hire
- Ch. 9.56 Franchises for Cable Communications Systems
- Ch. 9.58 Video Franchise Fees, Customer Service and Other Video-Related Matters Ordinance
- Ch. 9.60 Public Utility Franchises
- Ch. 9.64 Amusement Devices
- Ch. 9.68 Private Patrol Services
- Ch. 9.70 Burglar and Holdup Alarm Businesses
- Ch. 9.72 Firearms Dealers
- Ch. 9.78 Filming in Streets and Parks
- Ch. 9.80 Tobacco Retailers
- Ch. 9.82 Healthy Checkout
- Ch. 9.84 Responsible Beverage Service Training
- Ch. 9.88 Commuter Benefit Program
- Ch. 9.96 Requiring Notice Concerning Radio Frequency Exposure of Cell Phones
Title 10 Animals
- Ch. 10.04 Dog and Cat Licenses and Regulations
- Ch. 10.08 Poundmaster--Duties and Charges
- Ch. 10.12 Keeping, Care and Control of Animals
- Ch. 10.16 Animal Control Officers
- Ch. 10.20 Biting Animals
Title 11 Environmental Health
- Ch. 11.04 General Provisions
- Ch. 11.08 Definitions
- Ch. 11.12 Organization and Enforcement
- Ch. 11.18 Repealed
- Ch. 11.20 Bathing Places
- Ch. 11.28 Food Establishments
- Ch. 11.32 Rodent Control
- Ch. 11.36 Health and Safety Hazards
- Ch. 11.40 Abatement Procedures
- Ch. 11.44 Citations for Violations
- Ch. 11.48 Suspension or Revocation of Permits or Licenses
- Ch. 11.50 Berkeley Hazardous Waste Importation Regulation Act
- Ch. 11.52 Repealed
- Ch. 11.56 Development Limited on the Waterfront
- Ch. 11.58 Prohibition of Chlorofluorocarbon-Processed Food Packaging
- Ch. 11.60 Polystyrene Foam, Degradable and Recyclable Food Packaging
- Ch. 11.62 Regulation of Sale, Use and Recycling of Products That Utilize Ozone-Depleting Compounds
- Ch. 11.63 Regulating the Use of Carryout and Pre-Checkout Bags and Promoting the Use of Reusable Bags
- Ch. 11.64 Single Use Foodware and Litter Reduction
- Ch. 11.70 Body Art and Body Piercing Facilities
Title 12 Health and Safety
- Ch. 12.04 Health and Sanitation Permits and Fees
- Ch. 12.08 Beverages in Reusable Containers
- Ch. 12.20 Food Preparation in Hotels or Apartments
- Ch. 12.21 Cannabis Businesses: General Regulations
- Ch. 12.22 Cannabis Business Operating Standards
- Ch. 12.23 Cannabis General Regulations
- Ch. 12.24 Marijuana Policy
- Ch. 12.25 Cannabis Cultivation
- Ch. 12.26 Patients Access to Medical Cannabis Act of 2008
- Ch. 12.27 Medical Cannabis Dispensaries and Collectives
- Ch. 12.28 Poisoning
- Ch. 12.29 Precautionary Principle
- Ch. 12.32 Storage, Collection and Disposal of Waste
- Ch. 12.34 Curbside Refuse, Organics, and Recycling Collection
- Ch. 12.35 Organics Reduction and Recycling
- Ch. 12.36 Recycled Materials Collection Program
- Ch. 12.38 Recycling Policy
- Ch. 12.40 Litter, Debris and Noxious Plants
- Ch. 12.44 Trees and Shrubs
- Ch. 12.45 Solar Access and Views
- Ch. 12.48 Residential Rental Housing Safety Program
- Ch. 12.50 Fire Inspection Program
- Ch. 12.54 Ambulance Service
- Ch. 12.60 Blasting
- Ch. 12.68 Smoking in Public Conveyances
- Ch. 12.70 Smoking Pollution Control
- Ch. 12.72 Healthy Default Beverages Offered with Children’s Meals
- Ch. 12.76 House Cars
- Ch. 12.80 Prohibition of Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Buildings
- Ch. 12.84 Transportation of Radioactive Materials
- Ch. 12.88 Transfer of Medi-Cal Conversion Patients from Intermediate Care Facilities and Skilled Nursing Homes Prohibited
- Ch. 12.90 Nuclear Free Berkeley Act
- Ch. 12.92 Anti-Blight
- Ch. 12.94 Implementation of Health and Safety Code Sections 33333.4 and 33333.6 with Respect to Redevelopment Plans
- Ch. 12.96 Regulation of Changes in Health Care Facilities
- Ch. 12.98 Abandoned, Dismantled or Inoperative Vehicles
- Ch. 12.99 Wildfire Hazard Evacuation Risk Mitigation Ordinance
Title 13 Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
- Title 13 Div. I Offenses By Or Against Public Offices
- Title 13 Div. II Offenses Against The Person
- Title 13 Div. III Offenses Against Public Decency
- Title 13 Div. IV Offenses Against Public Peace
- Title 13 Div. V Offenses Against Property
- Title 13 Div. VI Consumer Protection
- Title 13 Div. VII Offenses By Or Against Minors
- Title 13 Div. VIII Weapons
- Title 13 Div. IX Rent Stabilization
- Title 13 Div. X Sale of Residential Properties
- Title 13 Div. XI Prohibited Animal Testing
- Title 13 Div. XII City Parking Lots
- Title 13 Div. XIII Offenses against the City
- Title 13 Div. XIV Miscellaneous
Title 14 Vehicles and Traffic
- Title 14 Div. I Traffic Regulations
- Title 14 Div. II Bicycles and Motorized Scooters
- Title 14 Div. III Preferential Parking
- Title 14 Div. IV Pedestrian Malls
- Title 14 Div. V Trip Reduction
Title 15 Hazardous Materials
- Ch. 15.04 General Provisions
- Ch. 15.08 Definitions
- Ch. 15.12 Hazardous Materials and Wastes Management
- Ch. 15.16 Wood Smoke Nuisance
Title 16 Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Property
- Ch. 16.04 Sidewalk Construction and Repair
- Ch. 16.06 Curbs and Sidewalks for New and Remodeled Buildings
- Ch. 16.08 Street Grades--Official Base
- Ch. 16.10 Excavations for Video and Telecommunications Systems
- Ch. 16.11 Telecommunications Carriers
- Ch. 16.12 Excavations
- Ch. 16.16 Street and Sidewalk Use Permits
- Ch. 16.18 Right-of-Way Encroachments and Encroachment Permits
- Ch. 16.20 Private Contracts for Street Work
- Ch. 16.24 Underground Utility Facilities
- Ch. 16.28 Numbering Buildings
- Ch. 16.32 Dwelling in Motor Vehicles on City Land
- Ch. 16.36 Retention of the Guardian Sculpture
- Ch. 16.40 Newsracks
- Ch. 16.44 Regulation of Newsracks on Public Property and the Public Right-of-Way in Commercial Areas Outside the Downtown
Title 17 Water and Sewers
- Ch. 17.04 Sewer Service Charges
- Ch. 17.05 Sewer Service Connection Fees
- Ch. 17.06 Drainage into Sewer System
- Ch. 17.08 Preservation and Restoration of Natural Watercourses
- Ch. 17.12 Flood Zone Development
- Ch. 17.16 Sanitary Sewers--Construction Requirements for Sanitary Sewers and Storm Drains
- Ch. 17.20 Discharge of Non-Stormwater into the City's Storm Drain System--Reduction of Stormwater Pollution
- Ch. 17.24 Abatement of Nonconforming/Substandard Sewer Laterals on Private Property
Title 18 (Reserved)
Title 19 Buildings and Construction
- Ch. 19.12 Municipal Solar Utility Program
- Ch. 19.14 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System Review Process
- Ch. 19.15 Expedited Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting
- Ch. 19.16 Repealed
- Ch. 19.20 Repealed
- Ch. 19.24 Repealed
- Ch. 19.28 Berkeley Building Code
- Ch. 19.29 Berkeley Residential Code
- Ch. 19.30 Berkeley Electrical Code
- Ch. 19.32 Berkeley Mechanical Code
- Ch. 19.34 Berkeley Plumbing Code
- Ch. 19.36 Berkeley Energy Code
- Ch. 19.37 Berkeley Green Code
- Ch. 19.38 Seismic Hazard Mitigation Program for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
- Ch. 19.39 Potentially Hazardous Buildings Containing Soft, Weak, or Open Front Stories
- Ch. 19.40 Berkeley Housing Code
- Ch. 19.44 Appeals
- Ch. 19.48 Berkeley Fire Code
- Ch. 19.50 Elevators--Buildings with Ten or More Units and Two or More Stories
- Ch. 19.60 Rental Units--Notice Required for Occupancy by Owner
- Ch. 19.62 Priority Permit Processing for Housing for Low and Moderate Income Persons
- Ch. 19.66 Waiver of Seismic Retrofitting Fees
- Ch. 19.72 Repealed
- Ch. 19.76 Moving Buildings
- Ch. 19.80 Minimum Security in the City of Berkeley
- Ch. 19.81 Building Emissions Saving
Title 20 Signs
- Ch. 20.04 General Provisions
- Ch. 20.08 Definitions
- Ch. 20.12 Permits
- Ch. 20.16 Regulations Generally
- Ch. 20.20 Residential District Regulations
- Ch. 20.24 Commercial District Regulations
- Ch. 20.32 Manufacturing District Regulations
- Ch. 20.36 Service Station Signs
- Ch. 20.40 Cannabis Business Signs and Cannabis Product Advertising
- Ch. 20.44 Maintenance of Signs
- Ch. 20.48 Repealed
- Ch. 20.52 Repealed
- Ch. 20.56 Repealed
- Ch. 20.60 Electric Signs
- Ch. 20.64 Nonconforming Signs
- Ch. 20.66 Tobacco Product Advertising
- Ch. 20.67 Alcohol Product Advertising
- Ch. 20.68 Enforcement--Penalties
Title 21 Subdivisions
- Ch. 21.04 General Provisions
- Ch. 21.08 Definitions
- Ch. 21.16 Tentative Maps (Five or More Parcels)
- Ch. 21.18 Vesting Tentative Maps
- Ch. 21.20 Final Maps (Five or More Parcels)
- Ch. 21.24 Parcel Maps (Four or Less Parcels)
- Ch. 21.28 Condominiums and Other Common Interest Subdivisions
- Ch. 21.32 Lot Line Adjustments
- Ch. 21.36 Dedications and Reservations
- Ch. 21.40 Design Requirements
- Ch. 21.44 Subdivision Improvements
- Ch. 21.48 Reversion to Acreage
- Ch. 21.52 Parcel Mergers
- Ch. 21.56 Correction and Amendment of Maps
- Ch. 21.60 Enforcement of Title Provisions
- Ch. 21.70 Exceptions
Title 22 Planning and Development Procedures
- Ch. 22.04 Master Plan
- Ch. 22.12 Neighborhood Commercial Preservation
- Ch. 22.16 Development Agreement Procedures
- Ch. 22.20 Mitigation and Fees--Conditions for Approval of Development Projects
Title 23 Zoning
- Title 23 Div. 1 General Provisions
- Title 23 Div. 2 Zoning Districts
- Title 23 Div. 3 Citywide Provisions
- Title 23 Div. 4 Permits and Administration
- Title 23 Div. 5 Glossary
Appendix A CITY OF BERKELEY BASELINE ZONING ORDINANCE (BZO) TABLE RELATING NEW ORDINANCE TO OLD ORDINANCE
Appendix B CITY OF BERKELEY BASELINE ZONING ORDINANCE (BZO) TABLE RELATING OLD ORDINANCE TO NEW ORDINANCE
Zoning Maps
- Official Zoning Map
- Plate 1
- Plate 2
- Plate 3
- Plate 4
- Plate 5
- Plate 6
- Plate 7
- Plate 8
- Plate 9
Tables
- Statutory References Statutory References
- Voter-Approved Ordinance List Voter-Approved Ordinance List
- Leases and Franchises Leases and Franchises
- Inventory of Property Owned by the City Inventory of Property Owned by the City
- Ordinance List and Disposition Table Ordinance List and Disposition Table