Apply for Telecom Facilities

Telecom facilities are commercial facilities designed for transmitting, receiving, and relaying voice and data signals from various wireless communication devices. For telecom facility applications, review by both the Planning and Building Bureaus are required. The application will start with review by the Bureau of Planning.

Before you Start

Please review the Permit Requirements below as these vary from project to project.

Ready to get started? First, make sure you are registered and activated at our Online Permit Center. For instructions, please visit our Planning & Building Video Tutorials webpage.

What to Do

Permit Requirements

How to Apply

  1. Step One: Planning Review (Selected Applications)
    • A planner will review your submission
    • Please note that public notice of your project will be required
    • Once approved, your application will be routed to the Building Permit Counter or you will receive a decision letter from the Bureau of Planning if applicable
  2. Step Two: Building Permits (ALL Applications)

    If Planning Review is required:

    • Once advised by Building Counter staff, please upload all associated Building Permit documents to your ZW

    If Planning Review is not required:

    • Submit a Building Worksheet through our Online Permit Center*
      * NOTE: You will be taken to our login page first before you can submit a Building Worksheet
    • In the Worksheet, upload your Radio Frequency Emissions reports and digital plans. Please include a description of all work that will be performed
  3. Step Three: Department of Transportation Review (ONLY for Small Facilities in the Right-of-Way)
    • Submit the following to DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov:
      • Traffic Control Plan
      • Plans approved by Utility Company
      • Bond
      • Certificate of Insurance
      • Inspection drawdown deposit
  4. Step Four: Application Review

    Once we receive your application and have created it in our system, we will review your plans. If your plans require corrections or if we need further information, we will contact you. For the latest processing estimates, please see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.

    For Over-the-Counter permits:

    If your plans are approved, we will contact you to issue your permit. Depending on our workload and the complexity of the project, the process may take between 1-2 months from the date we receive your complete application to the date when we issue your permit.

    For other projects:

    Once we receive your application, staff will contact you regarding your intake appointment during which your submittal will be reviewed for completeness. It is recommended that you are available for questions during that appointment, but not required.

Need to Know

QUESTIONS?

Call (510) 238-3911 or find quick answers through our Permit & Services Questions Portal. You may also schedule an appointment with Permit Counter staff during open hours.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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