City of Berkeley

Make your home less vulnerable to wildfires | City of Berkeley Changes to vents, windows, roofs, and eaves can reduce chances that a wildfire could enter your home. Some property owners can receive rebates. Berkeley homeowners can upgrade their windows, roofs, eaves, and vents to prevent a wildfire’s sparks, embers or heat from setting your home ablaze.Changing building features or materials to be more fire resistant is particularly important the closer a home is to undeveloped areas like forests and regional parks. A wildfire’s heat and embers often surge ahead of a blaze and expose vulnerabilities built into a home.

Making the materials of your home more resistant to heat and embers – a term often referred to as “home hardening” – might save it from a wildfire.

berkeleyca.gov/commu...
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Home Hardening Tax Rebate | City of Berkeley Homeowners in the highest fire risk neighborhoods looking to sell in the next five years or who bought their home in the past year may get a rebate on the transfer tax for making physical upgrades to reduce fire risk. Anyone can reduce their home’s fire wildfire risk by installing upgrades such as a Class A-rated roof, multi-pane windows, or fire-resistant vents and gutter covers. Buyers and sellers of residential or multi-use buildings with at least two residential units in “high” or “very high” fire hazard severity zones can get transfer tax rebates for doing that work in specified times linked to the sale of the property.

Buyers and sellers of residential or multi-use buildings with at least two residential units in the highest fire risk areas may also qualify for a tax rebate when making physical upgrades to reduce fire risk.

Rebate: berkeleyca.gov/safet...
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Don’t stop at your house:

Trim trees 🌲
cut back brush 🌿
Plant fire-smart vegetation outside the first 5 feet of your home

This work can help lower your fire risk even more.
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Sometimes the fire risk isn’t your building.

A pile of logs, 🔥
a wooden fence, 🏗️
wooden furniture 🪑,
any flammable object placed near your home can also ignite and expose your entire home to fire.
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Embers can collect on roofs, in gutters, and along the foundation, igniting vegetation and debris which can spread fire to the roof or other parts of the structure.

Sealing gaps, clearing, and enclosing gutters lowers chance of embers entering vulnerable areas.
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The heat alone from a nearby wildfire can be so intense that it ignites certain building materials. As a result, multi-pane tempered windows and fire-resistant roofs can help safeguard your home.


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A wildfire’s heat and embers often surge ahead of a blaze and expose vulnerabilities built into a home. 🏡

An ember blown by winds can fall through a vent to set a home on fire – so covering vents with metal mesh is critical. 🔥 💨 🏡


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Changing building features or materials to be more fire resistant is particularly important the closer a home is to undeveloped areas like forests and regional parks. 🌲
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Make your home less vulnerable to wildfires | City of Berkeley Changes to vents, windows, roofs, and eaves can reduce chances that a wildfire could enter your home. Some property owners can receive rebates. Berkeley homeowners can upgrade their windows, roofs, eaves, and vents to prevent a wildfire’s sparks, embers or heat from setting your home ablaze.Changing building features or materials to be more fire resistant is particularly important the closer a home is to undeveloped areas like forests and regional parks. A wildfire’s heat and embers often surge ahead of a blaze and expose vulnerabilities built into a home.

Berkeley homeowners can upgrade their windows, roofs, eaves, and vents to prevent a wildfire’s sparks, embers, or heat from setting your home ablaze.

Community Message: berkeleyca.gov/commu...
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First-generation home buyers can apply for housing down payment assistance | City of Berkeley Apply by March 16 for a down payment loan of up to $150,000. Loans do not need to be repaid until you sell or pay off the home. Prospective first-generation home buyers can apply for a loan of up to $150,000 that would only be repaid when the house is eventually sold, transferred, or the mortgage paid off. The loan can cover up to 20% of the home price and can be used for down payment or closing costs.You may qualify if:

First-generation homebuyers: don't miss out on the chance for up to $150k towards a down payment! Loans don't need to be repaid until you sell or pay off your home.

March 16 is the deadline to get approved by a lender and submit your application.

Learn more:

City Holidays | City of Berkeley 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. DateReasonThursday, January 1, 2026New Year's DayFriday, January 9, 2026Reduced Service DayMonday, January 19, 2026Martin Luther King Jr.'s BirthdayThursday, February 12, 2026Lincoln's BirthdayFriday, February 13, 2026Reduced Service DayMonday, February 16, 2026Washington's Birthday

Reminder: Most City offices will be closed to the public on Friday, March 13, 2026 for the City’s monthly Reduced Service Day. Certain non-essential services pause as a cost-savings measure. Please call before visiting.

Artists and festival organizers can apply for arts grants | City of Berkeley Webinars start on Jan. 7: Learn more about applying, guidelines, and eligibility. Grant deadlines are March 4 and March 11. Artists and festival organizers can apply for one-time grants to support their work and strengthen the arts culture of Berkeley.These grants fund individual artists to create new work and festival organizers to put on events.Applicants for each category can attend separately designed webinars, starting January 7, to learn about guidelines, eligibility, and how to apply.

Berkeley festivals don’t just happen. People make them happen.

If you organize a cultural festival, you could receive up to $7K to bring it to life.

Deadline: March 11 at 11:59pm. ⏳

Events must be free and open to the public in Berkeley.

City Council Regular Meeting eAgenda March 10, 2026 | City of Berkeley Printer-friendly PDF agenda AGENDABERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETINGTuesday, March 10, 20266:00 PMSCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ROOM - 1231 ADDISON STREET, BERKELEY, CA 94702Adena Ishii, MayorCouncilmembers:

Berkeley City Council regular #berkmtg meets Tuesday, March 10 at 6 pm. Agenda + how to join:

Prepare for – and know how to respond to – winter storms | City of Berkeley Reduce your neighborhood’s storm risk this winter: clean gutters, drains, report hazards to 3-1-1, sign up for emergency alerts, and keep key supplies ready. Winter rains and winds can lead to flooding, downed power lines, and fallen trees. Know how to reduce flooding risks near your home and who to call to report those hazards.Minimize flooding and water damage around your home by clearing gutters, downspouts, driveways, and drains. If your property has ever flooded, use sandbags to help divert water. Residents and merchants can pick up some from the City.You can also “adopt” a storm drain near your home to reduce flooding in your neighborhood.

Reduce your neighborhood’s storm risk this winter.

Remember to:
Clean gutters and drains 🧹
Report hazards to 3-1-1 📞
Sign up for emergency alerts 📲
Keep key supplies ready 🎒

Learn how to prepare for heavy rain, wind, flooding, and power outages:

Weigh in on plan to improve City buildings, parks, and more | City of Berkeley Pools, sidewalks, community centers also being proposed. Join an in-person community meeting to share feedback on the proposed infrastructure projects list. Attend one of a series of in-person community meetings to share feedback about potential projects to improve parks, community centers, fire facilities, and the waterfront.At each meeting, City staff will present an overview of Berkeley’s infrastructure needs and the types of projects under consideration. Ask questions. Discuss projects with others. Give input on which projects are most pressing and why.

Should Berkeley replace aging fire stations?
Expand open space?
Upgrade the 911 center?
Fix sidewalks citywide?

Help decide.

Attend an in-person community meeting on March 3, 12, and 18.

Berkeley Public Health is offering a measles vaccine clinic for eligible children.

📅 March 10–12
🕓 9am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
📍 West Berkeley Family Wellness Center

Appts required. Book:
• Online: outlook.office.com/b...
• (510) 981-5350
• phmailbox@berkeleyca.gov

berkeleyca.gov/commu...

City Council Special Meeting eAgenda March 10, 2026 | City of Berkeley Printer-friendly PDF agenda PROCLAMATIONCALLING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THEBERKELEY CITY COUNCILIn accordance with the authority in me vested, I do hereby call the Berkeley City Council in special session as follows:Tuesday, March 10, 20264:00 PM

Next City Council special #berkmtg is Tuesday, March 10, at 4pm. See what's on the agenda: berkeleyca.gov/city-...

✏️ Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update

By March 18, use survey to help manage busy street parking | City of Berkeley Respond to the survey, which includes seven proposals, to increase availability and efficiency of on-street parking in high-demand areas. Take a survey to help shape a variety of proposals for how the City of Berkeley would manage on-street parking near transit stations, on its busiest streets, and in business districts. This set of parking management proposals seeks to increase the vitality of these areas by maximizing the use of the most sought-after parking spaces and reducing congestion caused by drivers circling in the search for spaces.

Help the City:

-Maximize use of most sought-after parking spaces
-Reduce congestion caused by drivers circling in search for parking
-Improve existing City-owned parking garages

By taking the Parking Management Survey until March 18.

Community Message:

Apply for paid internships, path to a career | City of Berkeley These summer internships help develop job skills that can lead to a career. Attend event to hear from local employers. Apply between Feb. 17 and Mar. 27. Berkeleyans looking to develop job skills can apply for paid summer internships designed to help prepare people for careers. These internships are geared for those who may be looking to develop job skills that prepare for a career.Berkeley residents facing socio-economic or educational barriers are encouraged to apply, including:

Everyone deserves a first step into the workforce.

Berkeley YouthWorks offers paid summer internships paired with structured training.

🗓️ Submit your interest form by March 27

Host your event at a Berkeley park or facility | City of Berkeley 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.

You can host a block party on your own street in Berkeley. Neighbors can apply to close the street for a weekend event with a simple permit and a $15 fee.

Apply for paid internships, path to a career | City of Berkeley These summer internships help develop job skills that can lead to a career. Attend event to hear from local employers. Apply between Feb. 17 and Mar. 27. Berkeleyans looking to develop job skills can apply for paid summer internships designed to help prepare people for careers. These internships are geared for those who may be looking to develop job skills that prepare for a career.Berkeley residents facing socio-economic or educational barriers are encouraged to apply, including:

Berkeley residents: get paid to build job skills this summer through our YouthWorks internships.

If you’ve faced barriers to early employment, we encourage you to apply.

🗓️ Deadline: March 27

Weigh in on plan to improve City buildings, parks, and more | City of Berkeley Pools, sidewalks, community centers also being proposed. Join an in-person community meeting to share feedback on the proposed infrastructure projects list. Attend one of a series of in-person community meetings to share feedback about potential projects to improve parks, community centers, fire facilities, and the waterfront.At each meeting, City staff will present an overview of Berkeley’s infrastructure needs and the types of projects under consideration. Ask questions. Discuss projects with others. Give input on which projects are most pressing and why.

Berkeley neighbors are helping set priorities for:

🏊 Community centers & pools
🚒 Fire facilities
🌊 Waterfront protections
🚶 Accessibility upgrades

Add your voice. Meetings: March 12 & 18.

First-generation home buyers can apply for housing down payment assistance | City of Berkeley Apply by March 16 for a down payment loan of up to $150,000. Loans do not need to be repaid until you sell or pay off the home. Prospective first-generation home buyers can apply for a loan of up to $150,000 that would only be repaid when the house is eventually sold, transferred, or the mortgage paid off. The loan can cover up to 20% of the home price and can be used for down payment or closing costs.You may qualify if:

Don't miss out on a chance for $150k toward a home! First-generation homeowners may be eligible for down payment assistance from California Dream for All.

Start talking to an approved lender today; applications are due March 16.

Learn more:

Deadline in a few days.

Berkeley Festival Grants support public events that celebrate culture and bring people together. Nonprofits can request up to $7K for festivals held in Berkeley.

Apply by March 11, 11:59pm: cityofberkeleyoed.su...

Watch the Informational Webinar: cityofberkeley-info....

Apply for paid internships, path to a career | City of Berkeley These summer internships help develop job skills that can lead to a career. Attend event to hear from local employers. Apply between Feb. 17 and Mar. 27. Berkeleyans looking to develop job skills can apply for paid summer internships designed to help prepare people for careers. These internships are geared for those who may be looking to develop job skills that prepare for a career.Berkeley residents facing socio-economic or educational barriers are encouraged to apply, including:

Young parent?
English learner?
Student with an IEP or 504 plan?

YouthWorks internships are designed with you in mind.

Paid. Part-time. Skill-building.

🗓️ Apply by March 27

By March 18, use survey to help manage busy street parking | City of Berkeley Respond to the survey, which includes seven proposals, to increase availability and efficiency of on-street parking in high-demand areas. Take a survey to help shape a variety of proposals for how the City of Berkeley would manage on-street parking near transit stations, on its busiest streets, and in business districts. This set of parking management proposals seeks to increase the vitality of these areas by maximizing the use of the most sought-after parking spaces and reducing congestion caused by drivers circling in the search for spaces.

🚗 Take a survey to help shape a variety of proposals for how the City of Berkeley would manage on-street parking near transit stations, on its busiest streets, and in business districts.


⏰The survey is due by 5pm on March 18, 2026.

Learn more:

S'mores and Tie Dye | City of Berkeley Learn about Berkeley's summer camps and get into the camp spirit with tie-dying and s'mores.Bring the entire family and join the Camps Team at Live Oak Park! From S'mores and Tie Dye to Campfire and Songs this is a great opportunity to get a little slice of Berkeley's Camps without leaving the city. Come for the s'mores and stay for the fun!

You: “Summer camp sounds great but I want a preview.”

Berkeley Recreation team:
🍫 S’mores
🎨 Tie-dye
🎶 Camp songs

Get a little slice of Berkeley's Camps without leaving the city. Join us for S’mores and Tie Dye at Live Oak Park. Friday, March 27, 6–8pm.

Summer job update: several Berkeley Recreation positions will accept applications through April 20.

☀️ Lifeguards (15+, 16+): www.governmentjobs.c...
🏀 Sports officials: www.governmentjobs.c...

Spend the summer outdoors supporting programs for Berkeley youth.

Community Tree Planting at San Pablo Park | City of Berkeley Come work with Parks staff to plant trees and large shrubs, and place mulch in San Pablo Park.These new plants will help to add habitat, clean the air, and add additional tree canopy to San Pablo Park.Plant a row of new trees. Goal for the day: 40 new trees along the northwest side of the park. These new trees will help replace some past tree canopy and add new shaded areas outside of the sports fields. Once the planting is complete, stay for some lunch and a brief tour of trees in the park.

Want to plant something that will last decades?
Help us plant new trees at San Pablo Park.

berkeleyca.gov/commu...

🗓️ Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9:15am–1pm
📍 2800 Park Street
🌳 Lunch + short tree tour included.

Register to join: ca-berkeley.civicrec...

First-generation home buyers can apply for housing down payment assistance | City of Berkeley Apply by March 16 for a down payment loan of up to $150,000. Loans do not need to be repaid until you sell or pay off the home. Prospective first-generation home buyers can apply for a loan of up to $150,000 that would only be repaid when the house is eventually sold, transferred, or the mortgage paid off. The loan can cover up to 20% of the home price and can be used for down payment or closing costs.You may qualify if:

Are down payment costs standing between you and home ownership? You could get a loan of up to $150k to help.

You may qualify if you:
• Are a 1st generation homeowner
• Have income under $253k (Alameda County)

Applications are due Mar 16: