Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the City Attorney and the District Attorney

The City Attorney handles legal matters specific to the City of Alameda and prosecutes violations of the ordinances of the City.

 

The District Attorney’s office prosecutes all misdemeanor and felony matters arising under state law occurring within Alameda County.  For inquiries regarding criminal cases involving the District Attorney’s office, please call (510) 272-6222 or visit its website as http://www.alcoda.org.

How do I file a claim against the City of Alameda?

  • Download and complete the City Claim Form (See Filing a Claim for link); or

  • Pick up a City Claim Form from the City Attorney's Office - 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, room 280, or City Clerk's Office - 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, room 380; or

  • Call the City Attorney’s Office (510-747-4750) and request that a City Claim Form be emailed to you.


The City Clerk will forward the claim to the City Attorney's Office. A claim must be filed with the City Clerk's Office in a timely fashion as prescribed by law.  The Risk Manager oversees all claims.

 

 

Where can I access law books?

Alameda County Law Library http://acgov.org/law/

125 - 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 208-4800

 

Every county in California has a law library that is open to the public and free to use.  You can find a link to each library’s website on San Francisco Law Library’s website http://sflawlibrary.org/index.aspx?page=115

Can the City Attorney advise citizens in legal matters?

 

No.  The City Attorney is the attorney for the City of Alameda.  The City Attorney’s Office provides legal services to the Mayor, City Council, City Clerk, City Boards and Commissions, and all city departments of the City of Alameda. 

 

For a list of organizations in Alameda County that may be helpful to citizens in seeking legal representation and/or answers to general legal questions please visit the Resources section of the City Attorney webpage.

 

How can I receive a copy of a particular Alameda Municipal Code section?

The Alameda Municipal Code can be accessed at:

  1. https://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=16753&stateId=5&stateName=California (You can search within the Alameda Municipal Code for a particular topic or section);
  2. The Alameda Main Library, as well as its branches, has a copy of the Alameda Municipal Code; to
  3. Contact the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 380, 510-747-4800.

For zoning and planning issues, call the Planning Division of the Community Development Department at (510) 747-6800 or (510) 747-6850.

 

Where do I file a Small Claims Court action in Alameda County?

 

Superior Court of the County of Alameda - Small Claims Court locations

 

OAKLAND
Rene C. Davidson Courthouse

1225 Fallon Street

Oakland, CA 94612

 

HAYWARD

Hayward Hall of Justice

24405 Amador Street

Hayward, CA 94544

 

http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-smallclaims.htm