Berkeley homeowners get amnesty for unpermitted dwelling units through 2028
The City of Berkeley logo, located in Alameda County, California. (City of Berkeley via Bay City News)
BERKELEY, Calif. - If you are a Berkeley homeowner with questions about that backyard shed you rent to college kids, now is the time to legalize it without penalty fees. Beginning this year, and running through Dec. 31, 2028, the city of Berkeley has opened an amnesty program to improve housing safety.
Unpermitted accessory dwelling units, including converted garages or in-law units, can now go through a process to meet housing code with no penalty fees. The unit must be constructed or converted before Jan. 1, 2020.
Getting that unit up to housing code will improve the likelihood that insurance will cover damages. It will also avoid the risk of additional penalties if the unit is randomly selected for a proactive inspection under the city's Rental Housing Safety Program. That program requires rental property owners to perform a safety inspection each year and pay an annual fee.
If property owners follow the standard building permit process and submit detailed plans, they can acquire a Certificate of Occupancy. Alternatively, units that meet the Housing Code and minimum fire and life safety standards can get a Housing Certificate of Compliance. This certificate would assure that code enforcement proceedings on the previously undocumented unit will not be triggered, if no additional unpermitted work is performed on the unit.
Before applying, homeowners can request a free anonymous and confidential consultation to determine their eligibility and get some idea what kind of work might be necessary to meet the city's building code.
Owners will be given the opportunity to request a five-year delay of code enforcement penalties for units undergoing legalization or units issued a Certificate of Compliance under the Amnesty Program.
The Amnesty program application fee is $590. Getting an official address will cost $250. Inspection and fix-up costs vary. Learn more at https://berkeleyca.gov/construction-development/permits-design-parameters/permit-process/amnesty-program-unpermitted
Featured
Adena Ishii takes victory as first woman of color to be Berkeley's mayor
The Berkeley mayor-elect took the victory by about 1,000 votes in ranked choice voting and secured the highest number of first choice picks.