Berkeley Mun. Code Chapter 13.76 § 13.76.030
Purpose (Berkeley Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance)
Operative Text
The purpose of this Chapter is to regulate residential rent increases in the City of Berkeley, to protect tenants from unwarranted rent increases and arbitrary, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions, to facilitate the formation of tenant associations to balance the relationship between tenants and landlords, to help maintain the diversity of the Berkeley community, and to ensure compliance with legal obligations relating to the rental of housing. This legislation is designed to address the City’s housing crisis, preserve the public peace, health and safety, and advance the housing policies of the City with regard to low and fixed income persons, marginalized communities, students, persons with disabilities, and older adults.
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 13.76 § 13.76.030 establishes the overarching goals of Berkeley's residential rent regulation system. The provision identifies the ordinance's core aims as limiting unjustified rent increases, preventing arbitrary or retaliatory evictions, supporting tenant organizing, and preserving community diversity. It also frames the law as a response to a housing crisis, with particular attention to protecting low- and fixed-income residents, students, people with disabilities, older adults, and marginalized communities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chapter 13.76 § 13.76.030 signals that Berkeley's rent ordinance is broadly construed to cover not only rent increases but also eviction practices and compliance with housing obligations. Operators who understand this purpose section are better positioned to recognize that rent decisions, eviction notices, and responses to tenant organizing activity all fall within the ordinance's scope. Compliant property managers generally document their rationale for rent adjustments and eviction actions to demonstrate they are neither arbitrary, discriminatory, nor retaliatory.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 13.76.030 articulates the foundational protections that the rest of Chapter 13.76 is designed to deliver, including safeguards against unwarranted rent increases and evictions that are arbitrary, discriminatory, or retaliatory. Tenants who believe a rent increase or eviction notice conflicts with these stated purposes may raise the ordinance's protections as a defense in eviction proceedings or file a complaint with the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. Tenant associations and local tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how this purpose provision connects to the specific rights and remedies found elsewhere in the chapter.
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 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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