Since 2020, the Lakeshore Avenue Business Improvement District (LABID) has been working to
address one of the most visible and persistent challenges facing our corridor: the unsightly row
of dumpsters lining our commercial district. Despite countless meetings with the Mayor’s Office,
Oakland Public Works, Waste Management, our City Council representative, and other city
departments, the issue remains unresolved—and it’s deteriorating the character, safety, and
success of Lakeshore Avenue.
How Did We Get Here?
To understand how we ended up with this ongoing blight, we must look back to a time not long ago. Prior to 2018 or 2019, there were no large dumpsters littering Lakeshore Avenue. Businesses were required to use smaller waste bins, bring their trash bins out at night for early
morning pickup and back in during the day—keeping our streets clean and walkable for pedestrians and shoppers.
But something changed. At some point, someone within the City of Oakland granted a permit to a single business allowing a large dumpster to be placed on the sidewalk. That single decision set a precedent, and more permits followed. Today, we have a row of large dumpsters, often
overflowing, blocking pedestrian paths and becoming a magnet for illegal dumping and general blight.
And while the question of who authorized that first permit remains unanswered, one thing is clear: the system that is supposed to regulate trash service, permits, and city sanitation has completely failed us.
All Talk, No Action
Since LABID first raised this issue in 2020, we have sat down with nearly every agency that might have the power to intervene. Everyone agrees it’s a problem. Everyone agrees it’s unattractive. Everyone agrees it’s not in line with the vision of a thriving, walkable commercial district.
And yet—nothing has changed.
The finger-pointing between departments, the lack of coordination, and the broken permitting and enforcement processes have left businesses and building owners stuck with a mess that isn’t of their making. Right now we have an opportunity that we have not had in a while- there is a new team of people in power who are working hard to change Oaklands image. Our hope is
that finally we have filed complaints that have not fallen on deaf ears.
The City’s Permit Problem
During our 2025 LABID Annual Meeting, a property owner raised an important issue that speaks directly to this problem: the dysfunction of the city’s permit system. Oakland’s permit office—the same one responsible for allowing dumpsters to remain on public streets blocking parking spaces and pedestrian bike access—is reportedly open just three days a week. According to its
own website, there appear to be only three appointments available per day for permit services.
The permitting website itself is another barrier. While it was easy to find with a Google search (City of Oakland | One-Stop Permit Center), the site is poorly organized, confusing, and nearly impossible to navigate without assistance.
This is not a system designed to serve small business owners—or the neighborhoods that rely
on them.
Misplaced Blame and Misguided Anger
It’s critical to acknowledge that not all businesses are responsible for the mess. In fact, a majority of Lakeshore merchants follow the rules—bringing their bins in and out as required, maintaining a clean storefront, and doing their part to uphold the district’s appearance.
Unfortunately, a handful of “abusing” merchants continue to neglect those responsibilities. Their bins are left on the street 24/7, placed in front of other businesses rather than their own, and they show little to no regard for how this affects the district’s image let alone how it affects their neighbors.
This behavior penalizes the compliant merchants and contributes to deteriorating storefronts, poor pedestrian experience, and lower customer traffic. Despite multiple outreach efforts, direct conversations, and requests from both LABID and fellow businesses, these problem merchants refuse to take responsibility.
Regrettably, some members of the public have taken their frustration out on the wrong people: the employees of the businesses. We’ve had reports of employees being screamed at, harassed, and even threatened by passersby who are outraged by the dumpsters—despite the fact that these employees themselves did not place them there and are often just as frustrated by their presence.
Let’s be clear: blaming businesses for a failure of city governance is not only unfair, it’s dangerous. It creates a hostile work environment, puts employee safety at risk, and has led some businesses to seriously consider leaving Lakeshore altogether.
When a business opens in Oakland, it often takes 18 months or more of navigating red tape, inspections, and regulations. It is the City’s job, and potentially the building owner—not the business owner’s—to provide clear guidance, enforce existing ordinances, and ensure basic services like trash collection are set up and managed properly.
Consequences We All Feel
The repercussions go far beyond aesthetics. These neglected trash bins:
● Smell and attract rats, which has led to rodent burrows in the city-owned tree
wells—compromising soil stability and increasing the risk of pedestrian injuries from trips
and falls.
● Occupy valuable parking spaces, reducing the number of spots available to customers
and decreasing shopper turnout.
● Drive down foot traffic and sales—especially for neighboring businesses who must
contend with trash bins sitting outside their doors, blocking signage and repelling
potential customers.
What You Can Do
If you are frustrated by the ongoing blight caused by trash bins on Lakeshore Avenue, here are actions you can take today:
● Call 311 to report ongoing blight or health concerns.
● Email your City Councilmember, Charlene Wang: district2@oaklandca.gov
● Contact the Mayor’s Office: officeofthemayor@oaklandca.gov
● File a 311 request (DOT): 311 Request
● Reach out to Waste Management/Republic Services: oaklandcs@republicservices.com
Where Do We Go From Here?
This is not just a trash issue—it’s a systemic failure. It reflects a city infrastructure that is not serving the people who are investing in Oakland, creating jobs, paying taxes, and building vibrant neighborhood spaces.
LABID will continue to advocate for a clean and walkable Lakeshore Avenue. But real change requires more than acknowledgment. It requires accountability, coordination, and action.
We encourage everyone to be vocal, be engaged, and help hold the city—and each other—accountable. We love our district and want it to be a thriving, walkable, and beautiful space for the entire community. The residents, businesses, and property owners of Lakeshore deserve better—and we will keep pushing until we get it.
The time to fix this is now.