Berkeley Mun. Code Chapter 13.76 § 13.76.190
Criminal penalties (Berkeley Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance)
Operative Text
Any landlord who is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be guilty of a willful violation of Section 13.76.130 of this Chapter shall be subject to up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail for a first offense and up to a $1000 fine and/or six months in jail for any subsequent offenses.
Berkeley Municipal Code § 13.76.190 establishes criminal penalties for landlords who are found by a court to have willfully violated § 13.76.130 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. A first offense can result in a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, while subsequent offenses carry steeper penalties of up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Because § 13.76.190 attaches criminal liability—not merely civil penalties—to willful violations of § 13.76.130, operators who manage Berkeley rental properties generally ensure their practices fully conform to that section's requirements before taking any action it governs. A finding of willfulness by a court can escalate consequences significantly for repeat violations, so compliance-minded operators typically document their decision-making and consult qualified legal counsel when questions arise.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 13.76.190 signals that Berkeley treats certain landlord violations of § 13.76.130 as serious enough to warrant criminal prosecution, which can be relevant context when a tenant believes a willful violation has occurred. Tenants may report suspected violations to the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand what enforcement avenues—including potential criminal referral—may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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