By now you have heard all about the current economic situation; specifically the affect it has had on our real estate market. Rather than driving through town and seeing ‘sale pending’ and ‘sold’ signs you are now more likely to see ‘short sale’ and ‘foreclosure’ signs. The Oakley City Council has taken a pro-active approach to help set and maintain a minimum level of maintenance guidelines for residential properties. Staff proceeded to prepare a Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance which establishes minimum maintenance standards for single family residential lots 15,000 square feet and below. The Ordinance applies to both rental units and owner occupied homes since they can both look the same with proper maintenance. 

Click to view the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance

As well as the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance the City Council has also adopted a Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection Ordinance to ensure that rental properties are maintained in an acceptable manner. Many cities in California throughout the Country have implemented similar programs. Both the City of Antioch and Brentwood have implemented rental property inspection programs as well. Owners of Rental Properties are now required to register their rental properties with the City so that the City can do an annual inspection of the exterior of the rental unit(s).

Click to view the Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection Ordinance.

In November 2006, the City of Oakley joined all other cities in the County by adopting Contra Costa Animal Services "dangerous dog" law.

The new law requires that owners of dogs that have been determined as "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" apply to the County Animal Services for a special permit to own the animal. 

Click to view the article.