Report issues or pay bills owed to the City of Berkeley. Use our tool, below, to find the most frequently requested services, such as potholes, missed trash pick-ups, and more.

Starting November 1, “Middle Housing” zoning changes encourage building more housing units in Berkeley. Berkeley homeowners seeking to build a new backyard unit or bedroom can now apply for permits that cost less, have clearer standards, and can get reviewed faster.Applicants also have a faster process with more certain outcomes to build small apartments in areas previously limited to single-family dwellings by following a checklist of set guidelines.

Plan ahead to reduce trash that goes to the landfill. Thursday and Friday pickups on Nov. 27 and 28 will be pushed a day later. Plan ahead to not only reduce what goes from your Thanksgiving table to the landfill, but also, for those with Thursday or Friday pickups, to put out your carts a day later.Residents with regular Thursday collections should place their compost, recycling, and trash carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28. Those with regular Friday pickups should place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29.

Plan ahead: consider walking, biking, or taking public transit to avoid $225 parking fines or towing fees. Home game days in 2025 are September 6, 13; October 4, 17; and November 1, 29. Fans and visitors coming near Memorial Stadium on Cal football game days can avoid hassle and traffic by using public transit, walking, biking, and avoiding parking in areas with towing and high fines. Please remember that a small number of blocks in the area will be off-limits to nearby residents.

Prevent lithium battery fires: use certified parts, do not leave batteries charging unattended, and watch for signs of damage or overheating. Call 9-1-1 if fire starts. Know how to safely care for, replace, and re-charge lithium batteries, which are common in household devices.Berkeley has had eighteen fires linked to lithium-ion batteries involving e-skateboards, e-scooters, and e-bikes since 2023. Although incidents are down in the city, these dangerous fires continue to happen around the region and nation. Simple tips can help keep you and your household safe:

Artists or artist teams should submit qualifications by January 12, 2026, for a $150,000 public art project at a new city park. Artists or artist teams in Northern California can apply to be considered for the creation of two vertical public art pieces that also offer nesting and shelter for birds and non-stinging insects in a new public park.These permanent, durable artworks would bracket the ends of the park being developed on the former Santa Fe railroad track bed in West Berkeley.The pieces should seek to achieve a variety of goals, such as strong design aesthetics, a focus on environmental awareness and complementing the surrounding area.

City offices and facilities are closed on holidays. On reduced service days, certain non-essential services are closed as a cost-savings measure. Please call before visiting. DateReasonFriday, November 7, 2025Reduced Service DayTuesday, November 11, 2025Veterans DayThursday, November 27, 2025Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 28, 2025Thanksgiving HolidayFriday, December 12, 2025Reduced Service DayMonday, December 22-24, 2025Reduced Service DayThursday,

Plan ahead to reduce trash that goes to the landfill. Thursday and Friday pickups on Nov. 27 and 28 will be pushed a day later. Plan ahead to not only reduce what goes from your Thanksgiving table to the landfill, but also, for those with Thursday or Friday pickups, to put out your carts a day later.Residents with regular Thursday collections should place their compost, recycling, and trash carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28. Those with regular Friday pickups should place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29.

Apply online or register to attend workshops on Nov. 18 and Dec 9. Get help applying for 2026 scholarships, hardship waivers covering 50-100% of program fees. Do you live in Berkeley and can’t afford to pay for kids’ recreation programs or a High Sierras camp for your family? We have scholarships to get half or all of the fees waived. We’ll also help you apply.These fee waivers, which you can get by applying online, include programs for kids such as:

From birthdays to weddings, block parties to sports teams—reserve Berkeley parks, courts, and facilities for your next event. Throw a birthday party at James Kenney Park’s pickleball courts. Host a neighborhood potluck with a bounce house at San Pablo Park. Say your vows in the Rose Garden.By working with City staff, you can book various City facilities or temporarily use a variety of public spaces for your events – both big and small.Reserve courts, picnic areas, or sports fields. Close down streets for a party. Rent a community center – or even our camps in the Sierras. Use a City venue for your family reunion, wedding, meeting, or youth sports camp.

Starting November 1, “Middle Housing” zoning changes encourage building more housing units in Berkeley. Berkeley homeowners seeking to build a new backyard unit or bedroom can now apply for permits that cost less, have clearer standards, and can get reviewed faster.Applicants also have a faster process with more certain outcomes to build small apartments in areas previously limited to single-family dwellings by following a checklist of set guidelines.

Artists or artist teams should submit qualifications by January 12, 2026, for a $150,000 public art project at a new city park. Artists or artist teams in Northern California can apply to be considered for the creation of two vertical public art pieces that also offer nesting and shelter for birds and non-stinging insects in a new public park.These permanent, durable artworks would bracket the ends of the park being developed on the former Santa Fe railroad track bed in West Berkeley.The pieces should seek to achieve a variety of goals, such as strong design aesthetics, a focus on environmental awareness and complementing the surrounding area.

Apply online or register to attend workshops on Nov. 18 and Dec 9. Get help applying for 2026 scholarships, hardship waivers covering 50-100% of program fees. Do you live in Berkeley and can’t afford to pay for kids’ recreation programs or a High Sierras camp for your family? We have scholarships to get half or all of the fees waived. We’ll also help you apply.These fee waivers, which you can get by applying online, include programs for kids such as:

Holiday Toy Drive 2025! December 2nd – December 18th Help us spread joy this season! We’re collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 4–16. Every gift will go to kids in ...

When you hear the outdoor warning system, check the City's online emergency map and AC Alert for more information. If you hear the City of Berkeley’s outdoor warning system—a wailing siren tone followed by a voice message—check the City’s emergency map and alerting systems to find out if you need to evacuate or shelter in place.Once you hear the siren and voice message, take emergency protective action, which would be detailed in our text, email, and online emergency notifications.

Plan ahead to reduce trash that goes to the landfill. Thursday and Friday pickups on Nov. 27 and 28 will be pushed a day later. Plan ahead to not only reduce what goes from your Thanksgiving table to the landfill, but also, for those with Thursday or Friday pickups, to put out your carts a day later.Residents with regular Thursday collections should place their compost, recycling, and trash carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28. Those with regular Friday pickups should place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29.

Starting November 1, “Middle Housing” zoning changes encourage building more housing units in Berkeley. Berkeley homeowners seeking to build a new backyard unit or bedroom can now apply for permits that cost less, have clearer standards, and can get reviewed faster.Applicants also have a faster process with more certain outcomes to build small apartments in areas previously limited to single-family dwellings by following a checklist of set guidelines.

Artists or artist teams should submit qualifications by January 12, 2026, for a $150,000 public art project at a new city park. Artists or artist teams in Northern California can apply to be considered for the creation of two vertical public art pieces that also offer nesting and shelter for birds and non-stinging insects in a new public park.These permanent, durable artworks would bracket the ends of the park being developed on the former Santa Fe railroad track bed in West Berkeley.The pieces should seek to achieve a variety of goals, such as strong design aesthetics, a focus on environmental awareness and complementing the surrounding area.

Compost food waste. Recycle clean items. Buy what’s reusable and try to reduce buying what’s designed to be disposed. Berkeleyans know that green and blue bins are for compost and recycling, respectively. But paying attention to the details can divert more from landfills and even impact our climate.Toss more of your pizza boxes, coffee grounds, yard trimmings, and compostable fiber foodware into your green bin – instead of your gray household trash bin. Discard into that gray bin the milk cartons, pet waste, diapers, grease, rocks, and many plastic-looking utensils labeled “compostable.”

Apply online or register to attend workshops on Nov. 18 and Dec 9. Get help applying for 2026 scholarships, hardship waivers covering 50-100% of program fees. Do you live in Berkeley and can’t afford to pay for kids’ recreation programs or a High Sierras camp for your family? We have scholarships to get half or all of the fees waived. We’ll also help you apply.These fee waivers, which you can get by applying online, include programs for kids such as:

Join Sammi for a fun, family friendly way to develop closer connections with nature while sketching and water coloring the wildlife at the Berkeley Waterfront! Learn various nature journaling techniques and practices while observing local wildlife.$10 per class. All children must be accompanied by an adult.Contact the Shorebird Park Nature Center at 510-981-6720 or email Sammi at [email protected] for more information.

On the morning of Sunday Nov. 16, plan for alternate routes, delays, and parking restrictions as thousands of runners fill Berkeley streets. People traveling through Berkeley on the morning of Sunday, November 16 should prepare for street closures, re-routed bus services, and parking restrictions due to the Berkeley Half Marathon.If you’ve parked your car on an affected street, move it well before that road’s particular closure time and take note of parking restrictions.

On the morning of Sunday Nov. 16, plan for alternate routes, delays, and parking restrictions as thousands of runners fill Berkeley streets. People traveling through Berkeley on the morning of Sunday, November 16 should prepare for street closures, re-routed bus services, and parking restrictions due to the Berkeley Half Marathon.If you’ve parked your car on an affected street, move it well before that road’s particular closure time and take note of parking restrictions.