Oakland Mun. Code Chapter 8.22 § 8.22.870
Civil Remedies (Oakland Rent Adjustment Program and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinances)
Operative Text
A. Any person or organization who believes that a property Owner or Tenant Household has violated provisions of this article or the program rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this article shall have the right to file an action for injunctive relief and/or actual damages against such party. Whoever is found to have violated this article shall be subject to appropriate injunctive relief and shall be liable for damages, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Treble damages shall be awarded for a property Owner's willful failure to comply with the payment obligation established under this article. B. Nothing herein shall be deemed to interfere with the right of a property Owner to file an action against a Tenant or non-Tenant third party for the damage done to said Owner's property. Nothing herein is intended to limit the damages recoverable by any party through a private action. C. The City Attorney may bring an action against a property Owner that the City Attorney believes has violated provisions of this article or any program rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this article. Such an action may include injunctive relief and recovery of damages, penalties--including any administrative citations or civil penalties--treble damages, and costs and reasonable attorney's fees. The City Attorney has sole discretion to determine whether to bring such an action.
Oakland Municipal Code § 8.22.870 establishes civil remedies for violations of the city's just-cause eviction and relocation article, allowing any person or organization to sue for injunctive relief and actual damages against an owner or tenant household found to be in violation. A property owner whose willful failure to meet a payment obligation is proven faces treble damages on top of other costs and attorney's fees. The City Attorney also holds independent authority to pursue enforcement actions, including penalties and treble damages, entirely at their own discretion.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8.22.870, compliant operators generally ensure that all payment obligations required by Oakland's relocation article are met on time and in full, since willful non-payment exposes an owner to treble damages in addition to actual damages, costs, and attorney's fees. Operators should also be aware that the City Attorney may independently initiate an enforcement action without a private party filing suit first. Maintaining thorough documentation of compliance with Chapter 8.22 program rules is a practice commonly associated with operators who avoid civil liability under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8.22.870 gives tenants—and organizations acting on their behalf—the right to file a civil lawsuit against a property owner who has violated Chapter 8.22 or its program rules, seeking injunctive relief, actual damages, and attorney's fees. If a court finds the owner willfully failed to meet a payment obligation, treble damages may be awarded. Tenants who believe their rights under this article have been violated can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting with an attorney familiar with Oakland's rent regulations.
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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