Oakland Mun. Code Chapter 8.22 § 8.22.920
Definitions (Oakland Rent Adjustment Program and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinances)
Operative Text
"Housing Assistance" means any benefit or subsidy from any federal, state, local, or nonprofit-administered program, including, but not limited to, housing and rental assistance programs, homeless assistance programs, security deposit assistance programs, housing subsidy programs, and any requirement of any such programs. "Housing Assistance" does not include any benefit or subsidy that is paid directly to the tenant. "Owner" means an owner, real estate broker, trustee, receiver, or any person having any legal or equitable right of ownership or the right to rent or lease rental units, or an agent, representative, or successor of any of the foregoing. "Rent" has the same meaning as in O.M.C. 8.22.340 . "Rental Agreement" has the same meaning as in O.M.C. 8.22.340 . "Rental Unit" means any unit in any real property, regardless of zoning status, including the land appurtenant thereto, that is rented or available for rent for residential use or occupancy (regardless of whether the unit is also used for other purposes), together with all housing services connected with use or occupancy of such property, such as common areas and recreational facilities held out for use by the tenant. "Tenant" has the same meaning as in O.M.C. 8.22.340 .
Section 8.22.920 of the Oakland Municipal Code establishes the key terms that govern how Chapter 8.22 applies to housing situations. 'Housing Assistance' covers a wide range of government and nonprofit subsidies paid to landlords or programs on a tenant's behalf, but explicitly excludes benefits paid directly to the tenant. 'Owner' is defined broadly to include not just property owners but also brokers, trustees, agents, and others with legal or equitable control over a rental unit, while 'Rental Unit' encompasses virtually any residentially occupied space regardless of its zoning classification.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8.22.920, the definition of 'Owner' is broad enough to encompass property managers, agents, and brokers—meaning compliance obligations under Chapter 8.22 can extend beyond the titleholder to anyone acting on the owner's behalf. Operators who accept housing assistance payments (such as Section 8 vouchers paid to the landlord) should be aware that such subsidies fall within the defined term and may trigger related requirements elsewhere in the chapter. Payments made directly to a tenant, however, fall outside the 'Housing Assistance' definition and are treated differently under this framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8.22.920 defines 'Rental Unit' expansively to include nearly any residentially occupied space, regardless of zoning, which means a wide range of living arrangements may fall under Chapter 8.22's protections. If a housing subsidy is paid on your behalf to a landlord or program administrator, it qualifies as 'Housing Assistance' under this provision and may carry specific protections or requirements elsewhere in the chapter. Tenants who believe these definitions affect their situation can consult a local tenant-rights organization or contact Oakland's rent adjustment program for general information.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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