Visit our new housing page under the Residents section of our website for more information on rental housing, home ownership and more.
Homebuyer Programs. Developers who have projects that are actively selling for-sale affordable units and any real estate professionals who are working with BMR homeowners that are going through a refinance or a resale will have received an email with detailed instructions related to the 2024 City holiday closures. Please follow the directions in those emails.
Residential Development. If you anticipate that your transaction will need to be approved or closed during one of those time periods, please notify staff at least five business days prior to determine next steps.
Rent Stabilation/Rental Housing Inquiries. Petitions can be submitted by mail or email during this time. Notice of Receipt and Arbitration Decisions rendered will be mailed within 48 hours for the reopening date.
Quicklinks:
Services
We are now providing in-person assistance at the Permit Center!
Programs
Hayward’s Inclusionary Housing Program requires that all new residential development projects containing two or more net new dwelling units, or lots comply to the affordable housing requirements outlined in the Affordable Housing Ordinance (17-20 (AHO) articulated in Chapter 10, Article 17 of the Hayward Municipal Code. This ordinance was adopted on June 17, 2003, and most recently amended on April 11, 2023. Housing developers of new residential development projects can attain compliance through the following methods:
- Paying an affordable housing in-lieu fees.
- Including on-site affordable units.
- Constructing off-site affordable units with approval.
- Proposing alternative solutions accepted by the Decision-Making Body.
Details on each of these compliance methods are available in Section 10-17.205 of the ordinance. The table below presents the current income limits, effective May 9, 2024, for Alameda County, adjusted per household size as published by the State Department of Housing and Community Development.
2024 State Income Limits Adjusted per Household Size | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Persons in Household: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Alameda County Area Median Income: $159,800 | Acutely Low | $16,750 | $19,150 | $21,550 | $23,950 | $25,850 | $27,800 | $29,700 | $31,600 |
| Extremely Low | $33,600 | $38,400 | $43,200 | $47,950 | $51,800 | $55,650 | $59,500 | $63,300 | |
| Very Low Income | $55,950 | $63,950 | $71,950 | $79,900 | $86,300 | $92,700 | $99,100 | $105,500 | |
| Low Income | $87,550 | $100,050 | $112,550 | $125,050 | $135,100 | $145,100 | $155,100 | $165,100 | |
| Median Income | $111,850 | $127,850 | $143,800 | $159,800 | $172,600 | $185,350 | $198,150 | $210,950 | |
| Moderate Income | $134,250 | $153,400 | $172,600 | $191,750 | $207,100 | $222,450 | $237,750 | $253,100 | |
Local Tenant Preference Policy
Hayward Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 17, Affordable Housing Ordinance, contains a local tenant preference policy as outlined in HMC Section 10-17.805, Selection Criteria. See link to the Affordable Housing Ordinance in Quick Links below.
Affordable Housing Ordinance In Lieu Fees
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2663, the City shall publish in lieu fees collected from development projects. The spreadsheet below represents the amounts collected between 2020 and mid-2026. Please visit Hayward’s Affordable Housing Dashboard for a dynamic resource that will allow you to search for affordable housing developments by location, type of housing and level of affordability and funding source (including AHO fees).
Table: In Lieu Fees - 2020 2026
Total: (8,926,850.91)
Fiscal Year | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| YTD 2026 | (52,686.64) |
| 2025 | (378,236.90) |
| 2024 | (489,947.64) |
| 2023 | (199,506.81) |
| 2022 | (2,013,769.62) |
| 2021 | (2,193,532.12) |
| 2020 | (3,599,171.18) |
QUICK LINKS
Each time there is a space vacancy in a Mobile Home Park, the Park owner or manager must complete a Mobile Home In-Place Space Transfer form.
The completed form is to be submitted to the Rent Review Office, either by:
- Faxing the form to (510) 583-3601
- Mailing the form to: City of Hayward | Housing Division | Attn: Rent Review | 777 B St., 4th Floor, Hayward, CA 94541
Handouts:
About the Program:
In 1989, Hayward City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a mandatory Residential Rental Inspection Program (RRIP). The purpose of this Residential Rental Inspection Program (Hayward Municipal Code SEC. 9-5.) is to provide safe and healthy housing choices through the safeguarding and preservation of the City's housing stock. Additionally, it is the program's mission to assure that all housing is maintained in accordance with adopted codes, as well as minimum California State Housing Standards as mandated by California Housing Law also known as California Health and Safety Code. The provisions of this program and the Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance apply to all rental housing units and to all hotel and motel units defined in the ordinance and are supplementary and complementary to all of the provisions of the Hayward Municipal Code, state law, or other adopted codes.
Annual Residential Rental Fee:
PLEASE NOTE: The current bill issued in October is for this year, the 2021 calendar year. The previous invoice, issued in February, was for the 2020 calendar year. In past years, billing has been behind by several months so, we aim to bill before the end of the calendar year from now on. We appreciate your understanding.
Landlords must pay the Residential Rental Fee annually. Fees are assessed for the preceding calendar year; if the property was a rental at any point during the 2021 calendar year, the fees for the property apply and are due. As of October 8, 2021, all Annual Residential Rental Fee invoices have been issued and are currently due. Please review our Rental Inspection Fee Support page for contact information and answers to frequently asked questions about this invoice.
Landlords may pay their fees in the following ways:
- By Mail: You can pay with a check by mail to City of Hayward, ATTN: Accounting Division, 777 B St., Hayward, Ca 94541. A return envelope was included with the invoice.
- Online: Please visit https://haywardselfservice.us/hss/ You may have to create a log-in if it’s your first time using the system. Once logged in, click on ‘Miscellaneous Bills’ and enter the bill information requested. Online payments require a $3.95 processing fee.
- In Person: City Hall is located at 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
- The City’s Revenue Division at City Hall is open for in-person services from 9am to 1pm, Monday - Thursday.
- The Revenue Division also has a drop-box located outside of City Hall where you can drop off your payment, please include bill information.
- The city has also installed payment kiosks inside and outside of City Hall which accept cash, check, or credit card with no fee. Please note: The kiosk does not make change.
Rental Inspections:
Site inspections can occur in three ways:
- Request for inspection from tenant
- Request for inspection of unit by owner or his/her designee or
- Periodic inspection(s) conducted by the City.
Upon notification by the City, owners of a rental property in the City of Hayward are subject to rental housing inspections. During an inspection, inspectors conduct indepth reviews of rental property conditions to assure compliance with applicable codes. Rental properties are inspected for interior/exterior code violations and issued corrective notices for compliance.
The most common violations are:
- Un-permitted construction or installations
- Missing or non-functional smoke detection devices
- Faulty mechanical appliances
- Faulty weather protection
- Faulty plumbing
- Junk & debris
- Mold and mildew damage
- General deferred maintenance
For a detailed listing of common violations and corrections please download our Common Housing Violations Sheet.
Request an Inspection:
If you are a tenant living in substandard conditions or a property owner wishing to conduct an inspection with our division to assure your dwellings are currently up to code, please contact us:
- Use Access Hayward or
- Call (510) 583-4175 or
- Email rentalinspectionprogram@hayward-ca.gov
Rental Self-Certification:
On May 13, 2014, the Hayward City Council approved an Ordinance amending the Residential Rental Inspection Program (RRIP) which included a self-certification component. Qualifying property owners may participate in the Self-Certification Program if certain conditions identified in the RRIP Ordinance are met. Self-Certification is intended to reward those property owners who have shown a history of responsible property management.
Self-Certification allows qualifying rental owners an opportunity to opt-out of the mandatory inspection program as long as their property remains in good standing. All rental properties -- including those in self-certification -- are required to pay annual rental program fees. If you wish to participate in the program, please fill out the application form, affidavit and checklist for each property you own. Within 60 days of returning the required program documents, you will receive further program information to facilitate your acceptance or denial into the Self-Certification Program.
The program requirements, Self-Certification Application-Affidavit, and Checklist are found below. For more information about the program, you may contact Code Enforcement at (510) 583-4175, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Additional Information/Documents:
What is Fair Housing?
Who does Fair Housing Protect?
The Fair Housing Act protects all people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, seeking housing assistance, or participating on other housing-related activities.
How do I get help if I am being treated unfairly by my landlord?
If you feel you are being treated unfairly by your landlord, you can file a complaint to report any discriminatory actions. There is help available to help you protect your tenant rights!
Where can I file a discrimination complaint against my landlord?
You can file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing as they provide protections to all residents from housing, employment, and public accomodation discrimination and hate violence. Or, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity - HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) assists in ending housing discrimination, promotes economic opportunity, and sets diverse and inclusive communities.
I am not ready to file a complaint, is there someone I can speak to about my Fair Housing Rights?
The City of Hayward provides funding through our Community Development Block Grant Program to Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO) to provide tenant-landlord counseling, conduct Fair Housing audits, and conduct tentants rights informational workshops. These services are FREE and confidential!
For more information about Fair Housing Rights check out the below list of resources:
Fair Housing Resources:
- Fair Housing Q & A
Fair Housing Providers:
- Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO) is a HUD approved Housing Couseling Agency and Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization that provides services to very low and moderate income residents related to Fair Housing counseling and investigation, Tenant/Landlord counseling and mediation, home buyer education and rental assistance programs.
- Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) provides protections to residents from housing, employment, and public accomodation discrimination and hate violence.
The City of Hayward's free Housing Informational Workshops offer important information related to various housing such as Fair Housing, Tenant/Landlord Rights, Residentail Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance, and more! These workshops address topics from the perspective of tenants and landlords. To access previous recordings related to Fair Housing, check out the below links:
- Fair Housing Video Workshop (English)
- Videograbación del Taller Informativo Para Viviendas Justas (Español)
Additional Housing Resources:
Emergency Shelters:
- A Safe Place
- Family Emergency Shelter Coalition
- Ruby's Place
- SAVE
- Shepherd's Gate
- South County Homeless Project
- Tri-Valley Haven
- Fair Housing Discimination and Harassment in Shelters
Legal Resources:
- Bay Areal Legal Aid
- California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
- Centro Legal de la Raza
- City of Hayward Legal Resource List
- East Bay Community Law Center
- Eviction Defense
While Housing Providers have legitimate interest in screening potential tenants to determine if they can fulfill their obligations as tenants, individuals with criminal history face barriers to housing even when their history has no relationship to their ability to be responsible tenants. The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has a guide to assist with concerns related to criminal history. For more informaiton on this topic, please click here.
