CITY – Alameda

Population 72,259: Households: 31,644; Average Persons Per Household: 2.36; Percent Single Family Housing 49% (based on the 1/00 est. from the California Department of Finance)

TRANSFER TAX - $5.40 per thousand of purchase price.

POINT OF SALE ORDINANCE - SEWER LATERAL ORDINANCE –At the time a property 25 years old or older changes title, a test must be conducted at the point of connection of the private sewer line to the city line. If the sewer line fails the test, it can be a) repaired (certification on a repaired line is valid for 5 years.) or b) replaced (certification on a replaced line is valid for 25 years. This must be done within 30 days of the transfer of title. Although townhouses and condos are included in the ordinance, the city has not enforced it.

UNREINFORCED MASONRY - This establishes acceptable standards for structural seismic resistance in unreinforced commercial masonry bearing wall buildings. For more information, contact the Permit Department at (510) 748-4530.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGNATION - Properties which have been deemed to have historic merit may have been placed on the Historical Building Study List. If the subject property is on this list, special permit restrictions may apply to exterior alterations or demolition.  Twenty-eight (28) monuments including two districts (Park Street and Alameda Point) require Historical Advisory Board approval for demolition, structural alteration and/or modification to character defining elements.  For more information contact the Planning Department, (510) 748-4554.

SIGN ORDINANCE/RESTRICTIONS -All signs are subject to the Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-6.  For more information contact the Planning Department at (510) 748-4554.

SPECIAL STUDY ZONE - none

SPECIAL DISCLOSURE ISSUES - Areas of Alameda are on landfill. The close proximity to the Oakland and San Francisco Airports can cause noise in some areas. There are some underground fuel tanks (a list of addresses is available through the Fire Department. This list represents home that filed for permits to have tanks installed many years ago. Some tanks were removed without permits, so this list does not warrant that a tank is still on the property.

BONDS OR ASSESSMENTS - Some developments are subject to the Mello-Roos bond. The Marina Village area has a separate bond. For more information contact the Alameda Finance Department (510) 748-4561

RENT CONTROL - There is a voluntary Rent Review Board  that serves the city by reviewing and making recommendations of disputes between tenants and landlords..  The Board will review complaints of rent increases of more than 10% in a year.

LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITY - No specific requirements

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ALL PHONE NUMBERS ARE (510) AREA CODE

PERMIT HISTORY -748-4530                            POLICE DEPARTMENT -748-4508

FIRE DEPARTMENT -748-4601                        CABLE –865-2810

ELECTRICITY-748-3901                                      ALAMEDA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT –337-7000

WATER- 287-1380                                               RECYCLING - 483-1400

GAS-1-800-743-5000

GARBAGE -430-8509