California
The biggest of 40 updates to Berkeley’s public record this month; 1 decision is open for public comment right now.
Rapidly changing. One of the busier public records among similar-size areas right now.
Berkeley has 40 active development records - building permits, land-use applications and environmental reviews - of which 5 are under review and 1 are open for public comment.
1 zoning or land-use policy change is in progress in Berkeley: rezonings, code amendments and comprehensive-plan updates, from the city's official records.
Records updated Aug 29, 2026 · every record names its official source.
median of 96 similar-size cities in CA
From the Census Bureau's survey of local government finances, which classifies every city's own accounts the same way; utilities and enterprise funds are included where the city runs them. Compared with the median mix of similar-size cities in the same state - a description of how the money is allocated, not a judgement of it. Read from the Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State & Local Government Finances.
Every number is the district’s own reporting: the yearly series and peer median come from its filings to the U.S. Census Bureau (all funds, comparable nationwide); the most recent school year comes from its filing to the state (General Fund) - two scopes, shown separately, never mixed. Dollars are divided by the district’s enrollment; the peer median is a size cohort, not a ranking. This is spending, never a rating of schools.
What the council decides, from the minutes - counts and roll calls, never a rating.
Checking the city’s meeting portal…
By reported crime, Berkeley recorded more reported offenses than similar-size communities in 2025 - Low on AreaMatter's community-safety measure. In 2025, Berkeley's police reported 775 violent offenses (about 1 for every 156 residents) and 4,982 property offenses (about 1 for every 24 residents) to the FBI. Counts are what agencies reported; practices differ between agencies and years.
Violent offenses are up 10% since 2022 and property offenses are down 28% since 2022, by the rates Berkeley's police reported to the FBI (population-adjusted, complete reporting years only).
In FY2022, Berkeley spent $4,254 per resident. The biggest shares went to general government & administration (27%), police (16%), roads, transit & parking (13%). Figures are the Census Bureau's own survey of local government finances.
In FY2022, Berkeley raised $4,782 per resident, mostly from charges & fees (40%), sales & other taxes (26%), property tax (18%).
Berkeley Unified Sch Dist spends $31,543 per student, from the Census Bureau's own survey of school district finances. The schools section on this page compares it with similar-size districts.
Not enough records yet for a number - the page shows exactly what is missing instead of a guess.
The largest open records right now: 2036 Bancroft Way Project; 2900-2920 Shattuck Avenue Mixed-Use Project; Channing-Bowditch Student Housing Project; City of Berkeley Housing Element Update; 2009 Berkeley Housing Element.
Every record on this page links to the city's or county's own permit listing. AreaMatter reads the official permit and land-use feeds every 12 hours and shows each record's status, dates and location; residents can also enter an address to see what is near it.
Under review: the city is still deciding. Open for comment: there is a deadline to be heard. Approved / issued: the permit or decision has been granted. Under construction and completed follow the city's own record.
Yes - Use Permit with Public Hearing: 1101 University Avenue (O'Reilly Auto Parts).
Rezonings go through a public hearing before the planning commission or council; the hearing notice states how to testify and the written-comment deadline. AreaMatter shows the deadline and the official notice on each item.