Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQs: Regarding the City Council’s (and Other Local Legislative Bodies’) Return to In-Person Meetings and Their Members’ Participation by Teleconference under the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s Open Meeting Law
FAQs: Regarding the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s Open Meeting Law
FAQs Regarding the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s Open Meeting Law (March 9, 2023)
FAQs: Regarding Oakland Independent Redistricting Commission and the Map for Council and School Board Districts for the 2022 Elections
FAQs Regarding the Oakland Independent Redistricting Commission and the Map for Council and School Board Districts for the 2022 Elections (January 10, 2022)
FAQs: Regarding Oakland’s Travel and Hospitality Worker Right to Recall Ordinance, (Effective May 26, 2021)
The Oakland City Council amended the Oakland Municipal Code (“OMC”), to require certain travel and hospitality businesses to rehire their laid-off workers before offering workers’ positions to new hires. The ordinance requires employers who are rehiring for laid off positions to offer the positions first to laid-off employees who are qualified for the positions and allow them at least ten days to respond to the offer.
FAQs Regarding Oakland’s Travel and Hospitality Worker Right to Recall Ordinance (May 26, 2021)
FAQs: Protecting Workers and Communities During a Pandemic – COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (Effective May 12, 2020)
The Oakland City Council passed this emergency ordinance in response to the extraordinary public health threat caused by COVID-19 and the urgent need to limit its spread. The ordinance sets forth sick leave requirements for employees in Oakland not covered or inadequately covered by the federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act.
FAQs Protecting Workers and Communities During a Pandemic – COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (July 22, 2020)
FAQs: Regarding Civil Rights with Regard to Harassment and Discrimination Against Oaklanders During Shelter in Place
We know that hundreds, if not thousands, of residents across California — particularly Californians of Asian heritage and residents with disabilities — have reported harassment, discrimination, and assault related to COVID-19. It is important during this public health emergency to continue to be vigilant in complying with and enforcing prohibitions against all forms of discrimination, prohibitions which remain enforceable and in place. These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are offered to (1) make sure all Oaklanders know their rights with regard to harassment and other forms of illegal discrimination; (2) explain to all locally regulated entities — such as landlords, businesses, and contractors — what their responsibilities are with respect to harassment and discrimination; and (3) affirm the City Attorney Office’s commitment to addressing instances of illegal harassment or discrimination.
FAQs Regarding Civil Rights with Regard to Harassment and Discrimination Against Oaklanders During Shelter in Place (June 15, 2020)
FAQ: Protecting Survivors of Domestic and Other Interpersonal Violence or Abuse During Shelter in Place
In response to the current pandemic of novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), on March 16, 2020 the Alameda County Public Health Department issued a Shelter-In-Place Order requiring Alameda County residents, including the residents of Oakland, to remain in their homes except for certain designated exceptions. While these measures are necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, they can pose serious risks for residents who are experiencing domestic and/or interpersonal violence while sheltering in place. These Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) are intended to clarify the current shelter-in-place requirements as they relate to residents facing domestic or other interpersonal violence.
FAQ regarding Protecting Survivors of Domestic and Other Interpersonal Violence or Abuse During Shelter in Place (April 8, 2020) (Revised June 23, 2020)
FAQ: Oakland’s Hotel Workers Protection & Employment Standards Ordinance (Effective Dec. 23, 2018)
In 2018, Oakland voters overwhelmingly passed Measure Z, establishing workplace protections for hotel workers.
FAQ regarding Oakland’s Hotel Workers Protection & Employment Standards Ordinance (July 16, 2019)
FAQ: Oakland's 2004 Cannabis Regulation and Revenue Ordinance, and the Authority/Duties of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission
The measure, passed by voters in 2004, established a policy making private adult cannabis offenses Oakland's "lowest law enforcement priority," and created an 11-member committee to oversee the policy's implementation. This FAQ provides updated general information about the committee's authority and duties.
FAQ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (April 17, 2019)
FAQ: Tenant Relocation Rights when Owner Moves Into Rental Property
On January 16, 2018, the City Council adopted an ordinance (Ordinance No. 13468 C. M.S.) which requires that rental property owners covered under the Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (OMC 8.22.300) pay relocation benefits to tenants when the owner seeks to evict the tenant to move the owner or qualifying relative into the unit.
Read the FAQ regarding owner/relative move-ins (Issued March 6, 2018; revised issued May 29, 2019)
FAQ: Charter Amendment Creating the Oakland Police Commission (Measure LL)
In November 2016, Oakland voters passed Measure LL, an amendment to the Oakland City Charter adding new section 604 to Article VI, which establishes a 7-member Oakland Police Commission and the Community Police Review Agency. This memorandum answers frequently asked questions about the Charter amendment.
Read the FAQ regarding the Police Commission Charter Amendment (October 10, 2017)
Supplemental Questions: Relocation Issues in Unpermitted Units
This FAQ is a supplement to the March 29, 2017 FAQ regarding Non-Conforming Residential Units in light of the December 2, 2016 Warehouse Fire.
Read the Supplemental Questions (Sept 1, 2017)
FAQ: Non-Conforming Residential Units in light of the December 2, 2016 Warehouse Fire
This memorandum answers frequently asked questions arising from the December 2, 2017 warehouse fire at 1315 31st Avenue regarding the rights and protections of people who may be living in non-conforming residential units.
Read the FAQ regarding non-conforming residential units (Mar 29, 2017)
FAQ: Oakland City Council's Censure Policy & Procedures
The City Council's Rules of Procedure Resolution establishes a Code of Conduct for Councilmembers, as well as policy and procedures to censure (reprimand) a Councilmember for conduct that violates federal or state law, the City Charter or City policies. This memorandum answers frequently asked questions about the Council's censure policy and procedures.
Read the Censure FAQ (Oct 3, 2016) and the Council's Rules of Procedure Resolution
FAQ: Oakland's Minimum Wage Law
In November 2014, Oakland voters overwhelmingly passed Measure FF, an amendment to the Oakland Municipal Code establishing a minimum wage, requiring payment for accrued sick leave and requiring payment of service charges to hospitality workers. This memorandum answers frequently asked questions to help business owners, employees and others understand and follow the law in Oakland.
Read the Minimum Wage Law FAQ (Feb 5, 2015)
FAQ: Campaign-Related Activities by Elected Officials, Candidates, City Officers & Employees
The City Attorney’s Office and the Public Ethics Commission receive many requests for advice about laws regulating campaign-related and other political activity by elected officials, City officers and City employees and candidates for City elected offices. To ensure that the public, City employees and officials and candidates have the same information, the City Attorney and the Public Ethics Commission provide answers to frequently asked questions in the three areas identified herein.
Read the Campaign Activities FAQ (Apr 28, 2014)