Berkeley CHAPTER 18 RENTAL RESIDENTIAL HOUSING CODE § 10-18-9
VIOLATIONS
Operative Text
A. Owner Violations: The following shall constitute violations of this chapter: 1. Failure of the owner of a rental residential building to license such building with the code official. 2. Failure of the owner of a rental residential building to vacate all tenants from said building within forty five (45) days after the license has been revoked. 3. Failure of the owner of the rental property to maintain the structure and premises in compliance with applicable building, property maintenance and zoning ordinances in this code. B. Other Violations: The following shall constitute violations of this chapter: 1. Failure of the occupants of the rental residential property to vacate such property within forty five (45) days after receiving notice from the code official that such property is not properly licensed or that the license has been revoked. 2. Any person other than an inspector from the village who removes or defaces any notices which have been posted pursuant to this chapter without the approval of the code official shall be liable for the penalties provided by this chapter. 3. It shall be unlawful for any person to consume an alcoholic beverage or possess alcoholic liquor except in the original container with the seal unbroken on the common area of a multiple-unit building, including all yards outside of a rental residential dwelling, except in areas designated by the owner of the rental residential dwelling, having advised the police department in writing. This subsection shall not be effective until the owner of the rental residential building posts signs providing reasonable notice hereof to persons entering the property. (2016 Code)
Berkeley CHAPTER 18 RENTAL RESIDENTIAL HOUSING CODE § 10-18-9 defines the actions and omissions that constitute violations under the Rental Residential Housing Code. On the owner side, violations include failing to obtain a license for a rental building, failing to vacate tenants within 45 days of license revocation, and failing to keep the property in compliance with applicable building, maintenance, and zoning standards. On the occupant and general-public side, violations include failing to vacate after notice of an unlicensed property, removing or defacing posted notices without approval, and consuming or possessing open alcoholic beverages in common areas unless the owner has designated those areas and posted proper notice.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Berkeley CHAPTER 18 RENTAL RESIDENTIAL HOUSING CODE § 10-18-9, compliant rental property owners generally keep their buildings licensed with the code official at all times and maintain the structure and premises in accordance with applicable building, property maintenance, and zoning ordinances. If a license is revoked, operators are expected to initiate the tenant-vacation process within the 45-day window the code establishes. Owners who wish to allow alcohol consumption in common areas must advise the police department in writing and post signs giving reasonable notice before that permission becomes effective.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Berkeley CHAPTER 18 RENTAL RESIDENTIAL HOUSING CODE § 10-18-9 establishes that tenants who receive official notice that their building is unlicensed or that its license has been revoked have 45 days to vacate the property before they themselves may be in violation of the chapter. Tenants who believe an owner is failing to maintain proper licensure or property conditions may consider contacting the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board or the local code enforcement office to report the concern. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Berkeley's housing code can help residents understand what options are generally available when a building's license status is in question.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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