COVID-19: Changes to City services

All City buildings are closed to the public, with limited exceptions.

• Changes to services and operations
• Closures

Changes to services and operations

Specific service changes during the shelter at home order include:

• Adult Mental Health: Client hours at 1521 University for Adult Mental Health services are limited to 10am-1pm Monday-Thursday. We are open by phone 10am-5pm Monday-Friday for crisis intervention, referrals, and screening for mental health treatment: (510) 981-5244. For emergencies, call 911. For crises outside of these hours, call the 24-hour crisis line at (800) 309-2131. 

• Aging Services Case Management: Aging Services is limiting in-person contacts to essential visits only. Referrals are being accepted by phone (510) 981-5180. Referrals will be assessed and triaged by a supervisor, and response times may be delayed.

• Animal Services: The Animal Shelter at 1 Bolivar Drive is closed to the public. We are still conducting animal control services and accepting stray animal dropoff.

• BESO (Building Energy Saving Ordinance): If you have a building sale during this time, please mail your BESO application and filing fee. Our office is closed to in-person visits. For questions, email beso@cityofberkeley.info.

• Birth and Death Certificates: The office of Vital Stats will provide birth and death certificates by appointment only. Appointments will be scheduled after a phone screening.

• Boards and Commissions: Most board and commission meetings have been canceled. Some meetings are being held virtually for time-sensitive, legally-mandated business. Information regarding upcoming meetings will be posted on individual commission pages and on the community calendar.

• City Council: Meetings are being held virtually. The public has several options for ways to watch, listen, and participate in virtual Council meetings.

• Construction and Building Permits: For information about construction, inspections, and permit applications during this period, see guidance allowed construction activities and ways to get building and safety services online.

• Domestic Partnerships: The State of California offers domestic partnership registration by mail. The City of Berkeley offers domestic partnership registration by appointment only. 

• Handwashing stations: The City has installed public handwashing stations in areas with a high need. See an interactive map of public handwashing stations.

• Library services: Berkeley Public Library is offering access to materials through outside pickup services at each facility. You can access the Library's e-collections online. Some programs, including children's storytime, are offered online. Library facilities remain closed to public entry until further notice. 

• Parking Enforcement: Enforcement has resumed for residential parking permits, parking meters, time-limited unmetered spaces, and vehicles parked for more than 72 hours. We are not currently issuing citations relating to school zones.

• Parking Garages: The Center Street Garage and Telegraph Channing Garage are open for use, but close earlier than normal at 8:00 pm. The Oxford Garage is closed.

• Parks: All parks and playgrounds are open, but sports fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and climbing/bouldering areas are closed. Pickleball and tennis courts are now open (except for Rose Garden at 1200 Euclid Ave., closed for construction). The Berkeley Skate Park is open. 

• Police Review Commission: Police Review Commission staff is available by phone at (510) 981-4950 or by email at prc@cityofberkeley.info.

• Pools: West Campus and King pools reopen for lap swimming (16+) and independent exercise (18+) on September 16, 2020. Reservations are required and can be made online. Youth programming will be added at a later date. See the pools webpage for schedule information and COVID-19 protocols.

• Public Health Clinic: The Ann Chandler Clinic is providing prescription refills and tele-medicine appointments on Tuesdays only.

• Recreation programs: Most recreation programs are canceled. This includes all afterschool programs, spring break camps, aquatics programs, recreation and athletics programs (youth and adults sports, leagues, drop-in activities, classes, open gym), tot and pre-k programs, teen programs, field trips, and permits for field reservations. 

• Recreation customer service: Recreation customer service is available by phone at (510) 981-5150 or email at recreation@cityofberkeley.info during office closures.

• Rent Board: Limited services are available by phone and email. Phones are not being answered, but messages are checked regularly. If possible, email questions to rent@cityofberkeley.info. Otherwise, leave a message at (510) 981-7368. Include the following information in your email or voice message:

• your name
• your property address
• the best time to reach you
• briefly describe the reason for your call

• Seniors: Grab & go meal program: Delicious and nutritious meals are available to Berkeley seniors who are 60 years of age or above. Five frozen meals are available for curbside pickup on Tuesdays, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis Street. A donation of $15 is suggested to cover the cost of weekly meals. You must register in advance to participate.

• Skate Park: The Berkeley Skate Park at Harrison Park is open 12:00pm-8:00pm Monday-Friday, and 8:00am-8:00pm Saturday-Sunday, with online registration and new operating procedures.

• Tennis and Pickleball Courts: Pickleball and tennis courts are open (except for Rose Garden, 1200 Euclid Ave., closed for construction).

• Transfer Station: The Transfer Station is an essential service and will remain open.

• Unhoused: Resources to support Berkeley's unhoused residents and homeless service providers, such as City-wide homeless services, the Berkeley emergency storm shelter, and information on handwashing stations and restrooms, are available. 

• West Campus Shower Program: Expanded shower program at 2100 Browning Street: Mon-Fri 8am-11am, Saturday-Sunday 3pm-6pm.

• Willard shower program: The free shower program at 2701 Telegraph will continue with expanded hours: Mon-Fri 5:30pm to 8:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 12pm.

• YouthWorks: The Winter 2020/2021 application period will open in October. Participation will be limited due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Youth who have been accepted into the program will begin to receive notifications November. Please email the YouthWorks office for more information.

Closures

All City buildings are generally closed to the public, with a small number of narrow exceptions to provide essential services.

Specific closures include, but are not limited to:

Administrative offices

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Building, 2180 Milvia St.
• Administrative office building, 1947 Center St.
• Corporation Yard, 1326 Allston

Community services

• Fire stations: All fire stations are closed to the public.
• Senior centers: Both the North Berkeley and South Berkeley Senior Centers are closed to the public.
• Parking garages: The Oxford Garage at 2165 Kittredge Street is closed. 

Customer service centers & counters

• Customer Service Center, 1947 Center St.
• Engineering customer service, 1947 Center St.
• Fire customer service counter, 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
• Permit Service Center, 1947 Center St.
• Police customer service counter, 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
• Recreation customer service offices, 2701 Telegraph Avenue and 1720 8th St.
• Transportation customer service, 1947 Center St.

Health services

• Ann Chandler Public Health Clinic, 830 University, except for prescription refills and tele-medicine appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.
• Berkeley High School Health Center, 1980 Allston Way, except for a new "warm line" for students, families, and teachers offers mental health support, information, consultations, and resources with a call to (510) 981-5240, Monday-Friday from 11:30 am - 4 pm. Services are available in English and Spanish.
• Mental Health Family Youth and Children's outpatient services, 3282 Adeline Street

Recreation centers

• Frances Albrier Community Center, 2800 Park St.
• James Kenney Community Center, 1720 8th St.
• Live Oak Community Center, 1301 Shattuck
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Services Center/Young Adult Project (YAP), 1730 Oregon St.
• Willard Clubhouse, 2720 Hillegass

Recreation facilities

Recreation space is closed with the exception of dog parks and open space in large parks. Sports fields are open for community members to enjoy as open space alone or with members of their household, but not for general reservations. Certain sports fields may be reserved by organized Youth Sports groups and youth sports camps, subject to COVID-19 safety restrictions. Email drobles@cityofberkeley.info with reservation inquiries.

Play structures and playgrounds are open. Sports fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and climbing/bouldering areas are closed. Pickleball courts are now open, along with tennis courts (except for Rose Garden at 1200 Euclid Ave.) and the Berkeley Skate Park.

Standalone facility closures include:

• Adventure Playground, 160 University
• Shorebird Park Nature Center, 160 University  

Last updated October 16, 2020