Frequently Asked Questions

Keep Oakland Beautiful (KOB) is sometimes confused with Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful (KOCB).  KOCB is a division of Oakland Public Works responsible for regularly scheduled street sweeping, City-wide litter reduction, maintenance of sidewalk litter containers, keeping paved medians and City-owned lots free of overgrown vegetation, pick-up of illegal dumping on streets,  graffiti removal from public property, and cleanup of homeless encampments.  More information is available at www.oaklandca.gov/services/public-works/keep-oakland-clean-and-beautiful. ​

We've compiled a list of the questions we hear from you most. Please email us at [email protected] for any other queries.

How do I participate in Oakland's "Adopt a Spot" program?
There are three ways to complete an Adopt a spot application: 

1. Email [email protected] 
2. Phone 510-238-7630 or, 
3. Online at https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/adopt-a-spot

Have the following project information ready prior to completing the Adopt a Spot application:

1. Project address or closest address to your project.
2. Description of the area you would like to adopt. e.g., "along both sides of International Blvd. between 98th Avenue and 106th Avenue. Specify if your spot is along one or both sides of a city block, or along a creek, in a park, or part of a park.
3. Your name or names of key persons and/or the name of the group involved. 
4. Activities you will do in that spot: litter pickup, weeding, graffiti removal, mosaic, planting, other 
5. Description of the scope of the work e.g., "Litter pickup along my block," or "invasive species removal and native plant restoration throughout Garber Park," or "mosaic on litter container at the S.W. corner of San Pablo Ave/ and 63rd St.", etc.
6. How often you plan to volunteer, which days, hours, how many people involved, etc. 

How do I get the city to respond to dumping sites?
If you wish to report an illegal dumping incident, please download the Oakland311 app, (formerly known as the SeeClickFix app). Once the app is opened, upload an image of the dumping site and complete the submission process. You may also report a dumping incident by: 

1. Calling (510) 615-5566 or 311
2. Emailing [email protected]
3. Visiting https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/oak311

How do I organize a clean up event on city property?
In order to organize a cleanup event on public property, an Adopt a Spot application must be completed. 

1. Before filling out an application, please review the following document. 
2. Community Cleanup, Beautification, or Restoration Volunteer Site Coordinator Planning Guide
3. The Adopt a Spot application may be found here.
4. To complete the application process, fill out the volunteer safety waiver, which can be found here. Email this form to [email protected]. 

Once you have received approval from a Public Works Staff representative, you may host your event. Common activities include trash pick-ups and graffiti removal. If the event you plan to host requires significant changes to a public park, you may be prompted to request confirmation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC). In this case, you may learn more about PRAC meeting dates here. Please note that if you wish to host a drain cleanup, you should visit the following webpage instead: https://www.adoptadrainoakland.com/.

How do I organize a clean up event on property owned by someone other than the City of Oakland?
Organizing an event on private property is outside of city jurisdiction. In this situation, the approval of the property owner would be required to host events. Ownership records are open to the public. To learn more about a property owner, please contact Alameda County Assessor's Office. More details can be found here. Public records may also be requested through the City of Oakland. To submit a request, please visit this webpage. 

How do I plan and complete a Mosaic Trash Can on City of Oakland Property?

1. Identify  an existing City trash can in need of beautification and document the exact location and street address, if possible.
2. Submit your request to Adopt a Trash Can through the “Adopt-A-Spot” program managed by Oakland Public Works (allow two to three weeks for approval). 
3. After a trash can  request is approved by the Adopt-A-Spot program, work with your community to further develop an agreed upon design that will be transposed onto the trash bin side panels using tiles. Including others helps generate ownership and gain buy-in from nearby residents. Mosaics can incorporate themes of the place, neighborhood pride, nature, stewardship, patterns, etc. 
4. Estimate how much it will cost to cover the surface area. Each trash can panel is 6 square feet or 2’x3’ for a total of 18 square feet for each trash can. 
5. Acquire funds to complete the project. Consider applying for a Community Grant from Keep Oakland Beautiful!
6. ​Once your Adopt a Spot permission is granted by the City, your designs are selected, and your funds identified, a timeline can be drafted to purchase all materials, storing, preparing, installing and finishing up the work. ​

How can I safely clean graffiti from a mosaic trash can?
Check out this guidance packet.