City Wide Collections
Citywide Collections is the centralized collection division for various departments within the city. City incurred liabilities are initially billed to residents and businesses by the department that have provided services. If the department is unable to effectively collect by the imposed due date the account is referred to Citywide Collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t pay my initial bill from a department that provided the service or program by the due date?
If payment is not received by the due date and the invoice becomes delinquent, your account is prepared for transfer and will be forwarded to Citywide Collections for further collection action. Penalties and late fees may apply.
What happens if my account is forwarded to Citywide Collections from the originating department?
A collection fee is added to your account and if not paid, all available resources to collect monies legally owed to the City of Oakland will begin. This includes small claims actions, court ordered judgments, liens, vehicle registration holds, including but not limited to personal liens and income tax intercepts.
What if I am unable to pay my bill in full?
Payment Plans are handled through Citywide Collections for delinquent liabilities. In addition, anyone who cannot pay their liability or invoice in full can request a payment plan.
A payment plan can help spread the balance into more manageable payments and avoid having to pay the entire amount immediately and potentially prevent additional collection action.
Please refer to the Payment Plan Options for more details.
Can I add additional parking citations to my existing Payment Plan?
No- you will be required to pay the existing payment plan in full and enter into a new plan for any additional tickets received after the existing plan has been set up.
Can I have more than one payment plan?
Yes, you can request more than one payment plan for a different type of liability. Example: you may have one parking payment plan and one business tax payment plan.
Contact
Please contact Citywide Collections for more information:
Phone: 510-238-7317
Email: citywidecollectionrequests@oaklandca.gov
OR
Visit: 150 Frank Ogawa Plaza Suite 5342 Oakland, CA 94612
Office Hours: 8:00 am -4:00 pm
Office is closed from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm daily
Payment Plans
Anyone with an outstanding collectible liability with the City can request a payment plan once the liability has been transferred to Citywide Collections from the originating department. In addition, an individual or business may request to enter in a payment plan if they are unable to pay the liability in full.
We can assist you with setting up a payment plan to help you pay almost any balance you may have incurred for the following City services:
- Parking Citations
- Garbage Liens
- Business Tax
- Storm Water
- Illegal Dumping
- Sidewalk Billing
- Fire Inspections
- Rent Adjustment
- Police Services
- Dishonored Checks
- Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT)
- Excess Litter Fees (ELF)
- Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT)
- Cannabis
- Damage Claims
- Board Ups
Types of Payment Plans
City offers two types of payment plans:
- Traditional Payment Plans
- Income Driven Parking Citation Payment Plan
To apply or to inquire about eligibility requirements for a Payment Plan, email: citywidecollectionrequests@oaklandca.gov
Or contact (510) 238 7317
Traditional Payment Plans (Applicable For All City Liabilities)
To request a Traditional Payment Plan the following information is required:
- Copy of Driver's License
- Copy of Social Security Card
- Proof of Income (Dated within the last 30 days)
- Valid Email Address
- Current Phone Number
- Correct/Current mailing address.
- 50% Down Payment (this includes tickets and admin fee). Cash, Debit or Credit Card ONLY!
Please note, all fees are due and payable at time of set up. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Who can apply?
Any one can apply for a traditional payment plan. A traditional payment plan will let you pay an eligible balance in installments rather than all at once.
Note: For Traditional Parking Payment Plans: Individuals who have parking citations in amounts of more than $250 and would like to make payments. Maximum length of payments is up to 12 months.
How does the process work?
There is no application needed however, you must provide the following items:
• Most recent pay stub, dated within the last 30 days - if self-employed, we need most recent completed 1040 tax return, last 3 month's bank statements. If business is in Oakland, a current business tax certificate. There is a maintenance fee added to each account at time of set-up.
• Copy of a valid driver's license or passport
• Copy of your social security card.
• You must provide a list of all tickets registered to your vehicle.(For parking payment plans)
• A 50% Down Payment- down payment and monthly payments may be paid by cash, cashier's check, money order, debit card w/ VISA or MasterCard logo, VISA, MasterCard or Discover. Personal checks are not accepted.
Persons that do not have an income or do not receive disability, unemployment, SSI, SSA or any other type of assistance must have a co-signer. Co-signer will be required to provide all documentation listed above.
Send all documents via email: citywidecollectionrequests@oaklandca.gov
How many times can I apply?
You may apply for the Traditional Payment Plan more than once, but you must complete one plan at a time, and additional tickets will not be added to existing plans.
What happens if I default on my payment plan?
If the payment plan is defaulted, a collection fee will be assessed on the unpaid balance and additional collection action will be taken. This includes small claims actions, court ordered judgments, liens, vehicle registration holds, including but not limited to personal liens and tax intercepts.
Income Driven Parking Citation Payment Plan (Applicable For Parking Citations only)
The City of Oakland has Parking Ticket Payment Plans that can help you avoid booting, towing, and registration problems.
The following information is required:
- Copy of Driver’s License
- Copy of Social Security Card
- Proof of Income (Dated within the last 30 days)
- Valid Email Address
- Current Phone Number
- Correct/Current mailing address Cash, Debit or Credit Card ONLY!
Please note, a down payment is required at time of set up. NO EXCEPTIONS!
To Request An Income Driven Parking Citation Payment Plan
Who can apply?
Individuals who receive public benefits or who can verify low-income status. You may apply for the Income Driven Payment Plan ONE TIME ONLY. Maximum length of payments is up to 24 months.
How does the application process work?
The application requires a list of all citations registered to your vehicle, proof of income from all sources dated within the last 30 days, a copy of a valid driver's license or passport and social security card. Persons receiving disability, unemployment, SSI, SSA or any other type of assistance must provide an income statement or award letter. Please note there is a payment plan set-up fee that is added to the citation amount due at the time of setting up. Failure to provide these documents could result in your request for the income-driven payment plan being delayed or denied.