One-Stop Permit Center: In-Person & Expanded Digital Services

Participating Departments

Fire Prevention

Planning & Building

Transportation

Schedule Planning/Building Appointment »

Fire Prevention Services	Planning & Building Services	Transportation Services
Schedule Appointment: Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm (In-Person) Wed 10 am - 4 pm (Virtual) Walk-in Hours: Mon, Wed 10 am - 2 pm Permitting Services	Schedule Appointment: Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm Walk-in Hours: Mon 9 am - 3 pm, Wed 10 am - 2 pm Full Services	Schedule an Appointment: Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm (In-Person) Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 10 am - 4 pm (Virtual) Permitting Services

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Welcome to the One-Stop Permit Center!

City of Oakland One Stop Permit Center Black on White Graphic

The City of Oakland welcomes you to 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, our One-Stop Permit Center! This webpage is designed to assist you in accessing permitting services as we transition to more in-person services and continue to expand the range of services available online.

MOST SERVICES BY-APPOINTMENT-ONLY:

Most services are by appointment only, with limited walk-in services available. We continue to provide digital services 24/7 through the Online Permit Center. Check out our Video Tutorials for assistance. Visit our Get Started on Your Project directory for step-by-step guidance for common project types. Frequently asked Planning & Building questions are also answered on our Permit & Services Questions Portal.

Hours of Operation

We offer in-person permitting services at:

City of Oakland Permit Center
250 Frank H Ogawa Plaza
1st Floor (Greeter Station & Lobby) & 2nd Floor (Permit Counters)
Oakland, CA 94612

PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:

Fire Department - Fire Prevention Services
In-Person Appointments: Tue, Thu: 9 am - 4 pm
Virtual Appointments: Wed: 10 am - 4 pm
Walk-in Hours: Mon, Wed 10 am - 2 pm
⇒ GO TO: Fire Prevention Bureau Permitting Services

Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)
In-Person Appointments: Tue, Thu: 9 am - 4 pm
Virtual Appointments: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 10 am - 4 pm
⇒ GO TO: OakDOT Permitting Services

Planning & Building Department
In-Person Appointments: Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm
Walk-in Hours: Mon, Wed 10 am - 2 pm
⇒ See below for a complete list of services, links, and numbers.

Cashier
Appointments: Mon, Tue, Thu: 9 am - 4 pm; Wed: 10 am - 4 pm

CLOSED during Lunch 12:00-1:00 pm Monday - Thursday
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY

⇒ WHAT TO EXPECT when you arrive

Schedule an Appointment

PLANNING & BUILDING APPOINTMENTS

BE PREPARED! Before in-person appointments concerning Planning & Building project permits, please be sure you have submitted your initial Zoning or Building Worksheet or permit application through the Online Permit Center. Documents must be submitted electronically; paper documents are NOT being accepted.

You may self-schedule an appointment for the following services:
- Planning/Zoning-related questions
  ⇒ Schedule appointment
- Building-related questions
  ⇒ Schedule appointment
- Plan Check (Building Code)-related questions
  ⇒ Schedule appointment
- Cashier
  ⇒ Schedule appointment
- Reserve self-service computer (onsite)
  ⇒ Reserve computer session

OAKLAND FIRE & DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION APPOINTMENTS

Fire Prevention permits or questions:
⇒ Schedule appointment

Oakland Dept. of Transportation permits or questions:
⇒ Schedule appointment

NEED TO RESCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?

Please cancel and reschedule your appointment if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone that has tested positive. COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to: chills, cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
Need to cancel or reschedule your appointment? Please refer to the original confirmation message you received when booking to cancel or reschedule. To reschedule Planning & Building Department appointments, you may also call (510) 238-3891. We ask that you cancel or request to reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. This will allow staff to offer appointments to other patrons in need of assistance.

Online Services

Find or apply for the permits you need, ask permit questions 24/7, or get started on your project today!

Start Your Project

Online Permit Center

Permit & Services Questions Portal

Planning/Zoning Services

Service Category	Service Descriptions
Planning Counter Services	Learn what is required for your project, submit Planning/Zoning applications and project plans ⇒ Get Started on Your Project For general questions or consultations with a planner about Zoning and design requirements for your project ⇒ Schedule in-person appointment ⇒ Call (510) 238-3911 Planning/Zoning Approval - once your application has been approved and the City has received payment, you will be notified by email. Planning & Building is currently not issuing same-day approvals at the Permit Center. Apply for a Zoning Clearance for your business
Planning Commission	The Planning Commission promotes the orderly growth and development of the City through studies, decisions on development proposals, policy recommendations to the City Council, and related activities. The City has resumed in-person Planning Commission meetings (see full schedule here).
Development Planning	The following Major Projects are currently underway and will have opportunities for public input: Brooklyn Basin (formerly "Oak to Ninth Mixed Use Development") Gateway Industrial District (portion of former Oakland Army Base) Oakland Ballpark Waterfront District at Howard Terminal See full list of Major Projects
Strategic Planning	The following Policy Projects are currently underway and will have opportunities for public input: General Plan Update Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP) Objective Design Standards See full list of Policy Projects

Building Services

Service Category	Service Descriptions
Building Counter Services	Learn what is required for your project, submit Building permit applications and project plans ⇒ Get Started on Your Project Building Permits - For general questions about Building permit applications or processing issues. ⇒ Call (510) 238-3891 ⇒ Schedule in-person appointment Plan Check Services - To consult with a Building Services engineer about building code-related issues (structural, fire, accessibility, safety and habitability issues). ⇒ Schedule in-person appointment Permit Issuance - Once your permit is approved and the City has received payment, your permit will be issued via email. Planning & Building is currently not issuing same-day permits at the Permit Center.
Building Inspections	Schedule Your Building Inspection – Inspections are required to ensure that construction is proceeding according to approved plans and conditions-of-approval, and that all current code standards are being met. Remote inspections are available. Call us to schedule your Building Inspection at (510) 238-3444 or download our scheduling app. Apply for a Permit Extension or Reinstatement – If your Building Permits have expired, please use our form to extend or reinstate your permits.
Code Enforcement	File or Check Status of a Complaint with Code Enforcement – File a property complaint concerning blight, unpermitted work, housing or Zoning violations. ⇒ Call (510) 238-3381 ⇒ Email bbcode-inspect@oaklandca.gov Property Improvement Programs

Service Category

Service Descriptions

Building Counter Services

Learn what is required for your project, submit Building permit applications and project plans
⇒ Get Started on Your Project

Building Permits - For general questions about Building permit applications or processing issues.
⇒ Call (510) 238-3891
⇒ Schedule in-person appointment

Plan Check Services - To consult with a Building Services engineer about building code-related issues (structural, fire, accessibility, safety and habitability issues).
⇒ Schedule in-person appointment

Permit Issuance - Once your permit is approved and the City has received payment, your permit will be issued via email. Planning & Building is currently not issuing same-day permits at the Permit Center.

Building Inspections

Schedule Your Building Inspection – Inspections are required to ensure that construction is proceeding according to approved plans and conditions-of-approval, and that all current code standards are being met. Remote inspections are available. Call us to schedule your Building Inspection at (510) 238-3444 or download our scheduling app.

Apply for a Permit Extension or Reinstatement – If your Building Permits have expired, please use our form to extend or reinstate your permits.

Code Enforcement

File or Check Status of a Complaint with Code Enforcement – File a property complaint concerning blight, unpermitted work, housing or Zoning violations.
⇒ Call (510) 238-3381
⇒ Email bbcode-inspect@oaklandca.gov

Property Improvement Programs

Cashiering and Records Requests

Service Category	Service Descriptions
Cashier	Submit payments (by Credit Card - Visa & MasterCard Only) Submit a request for refunds Request demand payoff Submit a Code Enforcement billing appeal Receive assistance with fee-related questions ⇒ Schedule in-person appointment ⇒ Call (510) 238-4774
Records Requests	Submit a records request online in the Oakland NextRequest Portal ⇒ Email RecordsInfo@oaklandca.gov ⇒ Call 510-238-3606

Service Category

Service Descriptions

Cashier

Submit payments (by Credit Card - Visa & MasterCard Only)
Submit a request for refunds
Request demand payoff
Submit a Code Enforcement billing appeal
Receive assistance with fee-related questions

⇒ Schedule in-person appointment
⇒ Call (510) 238-4774

Records Requests

Submit a records request online in the Oakland NextRequest Portal

⇒ Email RecordsInfo@oaklandca.gov
⇒ Call 510-238-3606

When You Arrive & Covid Safety

WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

Please do not come to City buildings or facilities if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive. COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to: chills, cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, or sore throat.

Masks are NOT required for entry into City buildings, regardless of vaccination status. However, be mindful and respectful of other's choices and personal space.

You are required to check in with building security to see Planning & Building, OakDOT or Fire staff. Security will issue a ticket and you will be notified when you can go upstairs to the Customer Intake Station to complete your check-in for services.

For the sake of reducing density in the building, we ask that you come to your appointment alone if at all possible
Please remain behind the plexiglass barriers. They have been placed on the counter to protect you and City staff.
Restrooms are available on the first floor for use by members of the public.

You will be notified when Planning & Building staff is ready to serve you on monitors located in the first-floor lobby of 250 Frank H. Ogawa and in the Permit Center, as well as through speakers located in the Permit Center. You are not required to stay in the building while you are waiting, and can instead provide your cell phone number or email address to receive a notification when staff are almost ready to serve you.

Permit Processing Turnaround Time Estimates

EXPEDITED REQUESTS: We are not accepting expedited requests on application intake processing at this time. However, we are accepting expedited requests for Planning & Building Plan Review and issuance processing, depending on staff availability for overtime work. To make a request for expedited review, please fill out this Overtime Plan Check Request Form.

We understand this unprecedented time has been challenging for many of our customers. It is our ultimate intention to return to the response times established prior to the Alameda County Shelter-In-Place Orders going into effect, as they are updated.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To assist in getting your application started AND moving, please note that your application is considered to be completely submitted for processing ONLY after application materials are received and all application fees have been paid.

⇒ Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times (Estimates Only)

How to Obtain Status on Your Permit:

Watch our Check Your Permit Status Online video for instructions on how to find the latest status of your permit application through our Online Permit Center (for selected permit types only)

Permit Processing Overview

Building permit graphic showing sample blueprints and fee calculator

Permits are required in the City of Oakland either to operate a business or perform construction on buildings or structures. The permitting process will vary based on your project. You may need to obtain permits from the Planning Bureau, Building Bureau, Fire Prevention Bureau, Department of Transportation, Oakland Public Works, the Alameda County’s Environmental Health Department, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or other governmental agencies. [See "Permitting Process" overview for details.]

Depending on the scope of work and the zoning of your property, your project may need to conform with design standards as outlined in one or more of Oakland’s various Neighborhood Plans and Citywide Plans. You can also check the zoning requirements for your property by visiting our Oakland Zoning Map.

Permit Processing Overview

Contact Us

Zoning/Planning Bureau: (510) 238-3911
Building Bureau: (510) 238-3891
Building Inspections: (510) 238-3444
Fire Prevention Bureau: (510) 238-3462
Oakland Dept. of Transportation: (510) 238-3199
Planning & Building Staff Directories
Permitting and Inspections-Related Contacts