Updated county Shelter in Place orders currently in effect. Face covering masks mandatory in most Bay Area counties effective April 22. View our guidelines concerning face coverings here. Choose a county/city below and review the orders and FAQs:
| County/City Public Health Website | SIP Order | Face Coverings Order | FAQs |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of California | Order - May 4 | Order | FAQ |
| Alameda | Order - Dec 7 | Order | FAQ |
| City of Berkeley | Order - Dec 7 | Order | |
| Contra Costa | Order - Dec 16 | Order | FAQ |
| Marin | Order - Dec 17 | Order | FAQ |
| San Francisco | Order - Dec 17 | Order | FAQ |
| San Mateo | Order - Oct 29 | Order | FAQ |
| Santa Clara | Order - Dec 3 | Order | FAQ |
| Sonoma | Order - Dec 16 | Order | FAQ |
California has issued a Limited Stay at Home Order which requires all non-essential work and activities to stop between 10pm and 5am in counties within the Widespread tier (purple). This order is in effect from Nov. 21 – Dec. 21 at 5am.
Department of Real Estate to Enforce Open House Rules: The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) Enforcement Division is now investigating and enforcing open house rules. According to the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), real estate agents, and their broker, who do not follow Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Real Estate Guidance may be contacted by the DRE and informed of the rules. More violations after this initial contact may result in the DRE issuing a citation or referring the agent and broker to health department and law enforcement officials. Agents wanting to report someone who is not following the rules may contact the Department of Real Estate at 877.373.4542 (October 27).
DRE Real Estate Advertising Guidelines: These are intended to assist California real estate licensees—brokers and salespersons—in understanding the many advertising requirements they are expected to know and follow (August 13).
California Department of Public Health: Industry Guidance provides Real Estate specific guidelines and a checklist (May 7).
SIP Q&A (May 20)
Appendix A: Alameda County released a new Site Specific Protection Plan for businesses permitted to open (June 5).
Appendix A: Contra Costa County Social Distancing Protocol: Essential Businesses must complete this form (April 29).
DRE FAQs for Executive Order N-52-20 Impacting Applicants and Licensees (April 17).
DRE offices are currently closed to the public and exam testing is suspended. Online services continue to be available. DRE is temporarily answering Licensing related questions by email at Ask.DRELicensing@dre.ca.gov. For more information view the DRE COVID-19 Updates Page.
DRE Consumer Alert Fraud Warnings (Spanish version).
Bay area County Recorder offices: Status report (March 24).
Alameda County Clerk-Recorder office is providing limited functions utilizing online orders, mail and a drop box outside the main office in Oakland (March 19).
Property Tax Penalty Waivers and Publican’s Postings: The Alameda County Tax Collector may waive property tax payment penalties for home owners impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Read more (March 31).
Confusion over East Bay Shelter in Place rules for real estate: Alameda County, Contra Costa County and the City of Berkeley have identical Shelter in Place (SIP) Orders for the East Bay that define real estate professional as essential for limited purpose. However, these SIP orders lack clarity on who is covered and what the restrictions mean. Each of the three Orders have been interpreted differently. We have contacted the City and Counties’ Attorneys and Public Health Departments to request clarification. Read more (April 6).