Sellers or buyers of buildings used exclusively for residential purposes, or mixed-use buildings with at least two residential units can receive a rebate of their real estate transfer tax for voluntary seismic upgrades. Building sellers or buyers can receive a rebate of up to 1/3 of the City of Berkeley's base 1.5% transfer tax for voluntary seismic upgrades expenses incurred …

Depending on your project, you may need to work with a contractor, engineer, and/or architect. For most construction projects, you will work with a licensed contractor. For projects in Berkeley, you must work with a contractor licensed in California with a valid…

Anyone may appeal an Administrative Use Permit decision, Staff-level Design Review, or any action by the Design Review Committee and the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB). To appeal a project, submit a letter which clearly and concisely describes the grounds for the appeal. Ensure your appeal is filed by the deadlines in the Berkeley…

Follow the conversion process to convert your property to a condominium so that individual units can be sold to new owners. The Residential Condominium Conversion Packet details the steps to ensure you are compliant with local laws and provides a…

All businesses in Berkeley must have a current business license and pay annual business license taxes for each location. Certain kinds of businesses must also pay other special business taxes outlined below. empty homes tax An annual tax on…

The City of Berkeley, in partnership with the California Green Business Network, offers free assistance to local businesses to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, conserve water, and divert solid waste from the landfill. To get started, register on the Green Business Network website and you will be…

Berkeley’s Tax Relief Action to Cut Commuter Carbon (TRACC) requires that employers with ten or more employees offer their staff benefits to commute by public transit, vanpool, or bicycle. Employers can choose one or more of the below options:

• Provide a pre-tax payroll deduction program, allowing employees to use up to $125 in pre-tax wages for public transit or vanpool expenses…

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As part of The California Safe Body Art Act, the Environmental Health Division regulates individual body art practitioners by requiring registration with the City. In addition, body art facilities are required to obtain a permit to operate as a fixed…

The Environmental Health Division (EHD) is responsible for permitting and inspecting all school kitchens, retail and non-retail food establishments, mobile food vendors, and temporary event booths in the City of Berkeley for compliance with the…