By Racheal Scott and Kelsey Heath, LABID

 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 harming the character, safety, and success of Lakeshore Avenue.

How Did We Get Here?

To understand how we ended up with this ongoing blight, we need to look back to a time not long ago. Before 2018 or so, there were no large dumpsters lining Lakeshore Avenue. Businesses had to use smaller waste bins, bring their trash out at night for early morning pickup, and return them 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 responsible for regulating trash service, permits, and city sanitation has completely failed us.

All Talk, No Action

Since LABID first raised this issue in 2020, we have met with nearly every agency that could potentially intervene. Everyone agrees it’s a problem. Everyone agrees it’s unattractive. Everyone agrees it doesn’t align 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 haven’t had in a while—there is a new team of people in power who are working hard to change Oakland’s image. Our hope is that finally, we have filed complaints that will not fall on deaf ears. 

The City’s Permit Problem

During our 2025 LABID Annual Meeting, a property owner highlighted a significant issue that directly relates to this problem: the dysfunction of the city’s permit system. Oakland’s permit office—the same one responsible for allowing dumpsters to stay on public streets, blocking parking spaces and pedestrian or bike access—is reportedly open only three days a week. According to its own website, there seem to be just three appointment slots available daily for permit services.

The permitting website is another obstacle. Although it was easy to locate 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 built to support small business owners—or the neighborhoods that depend on them.

Misplaced Blame and Misguided Anger

It’s important to recognize that not all businesses are responsible for the mess. In fact, most Lakeshore merchants follow the rules—bringing their bins in and out as needed, keeping a clean storefront, and contributing to the district’s good appearance.

Unfortunately, a handful of “abusing” merchants continue to neglect their responsibilities. Their bins are left on the street 24/7, placed in front of other businesses instead of their own, and they show little to no regard for how this impacts the district’s image, let alone their neighbors.

This behavior penalizes compliant merchants and contributes to declining storefronts, poor pedestrian experiences, and reduced customer traffic. Despite multiple outreach efforts, direct conversations, and requests from both LABID and other businesses, these problem merchants refuse to accept responsibility.

Unfortunately, some members of the public have directed their frustration at the wrong people: the employees of the businesses. We have received reports of employees being screamed at, harassed, and even threatened by passersby who are outraged by the dumpsters—despite the fact that these employees did not place them there and are often just as frustrated by their presence.

Let’s be clear: some businesses do share the blame for the current state of blight on Lakeshore Avenue. Their continued misuse of the trash system directly contributes to the problem. However, it’s just as important to recognize that not all businesses are at fault. Holding the entire business community responsible for the city’s lack of enforcement—and the actions of a few irresponsible merchants—is not only unfair but also harmful. This kind of blanket blame fosters a hostile environment, puts employees in uncomfortable or unsafe situations, and has already led some businesses to reconsider their future on Lakeshore.

When a business opens in Oakland, it often takes 18 months or more to navigate red tape, inspections, and regulations. It is the City’s responsibility, and possibly the building owner’s—not the business owner’s—to provide clear guidance, enforce existing ordinances, and ensure that basic services like trash collection are properly set up and managed.

Consequences We All Feel

The repercussions extend well beyond aesthetics. These neglected trash bins:

• Smell and attract rats, which leads to rodent burrows in city-owned tree wells—weakening soil stability and raising the risk of pedestrian trips and falls.
• Occupy valuable parking spaces, which reduces the number of spots available to customers and lowers shopper turnout.
• Drive down foot traffic and sales—especially for neighboring businesses, which must contend with trash bins outside their doors that block signage and deter potential customers.
  

What You Can Do

If you’re fed up with the ongoing blight caused by trash bins on Lakeshore Avenue, here are some steps 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
• Email Oakland’s Department of Transportation (DOT): dot@oaklandca.gov. Note: if that link bounces back, try 311 here.
• Reach out to Waste Management/Republic Services: oaklandcs@republicservices.com
  

Where Do We Go From Here?

This isn’t just a trash issue—it’s a sign of a systemic failure. It shows a city infrastructure that isn’t supporting the people who invest in Oakland, create jobs, pay taxes, and develop lively neighborhood spaces.

LABID will keep advocating for a clean and walkable Lakeshore Avenue. But real change demands more than just acknowledgment. It requires accountability, coordination, and action.

We encourage everyone to speak up, stay involved, and help hold the city—and each other—accountable. We love our district and want it to be a thriving, walkable, and beautiful place for the whole community. The residents, businesses, and property owners of Lakeshore deserve better—and we will keep pushing until we achieve it.

The time to fix this is now.

Editor’s Note: At Mayor Lee’s June 25 Listening Session at Lakeshore Ave. Baptist Church, OakDOT Manager Josh Rowan admitted to having received many complaints about the dumpsters on Lakeshore and promised that action would be taken very soon. His concerns are that the dumpsters block both the Avenue and access to the rental bikes. If “very soon” comes and goes, we’ll all know exactly who to contact at OakDOT.

Kelsey Heath and Racheal Knight-Scott are with the Lakeshore Business Improvement District. They work together with the Business owners and Property owners to enhance and promote the Lakeshore shopping district.