PERMIT INSPECTIONS RESPONSE TO COVID19 EMERGENCY:
Permit inspectors are required to wear Face Coverings as per City of Oakland Face Covering Requirements.
The procedures for inspection are below:
Permit Inspectors will be calling inspection request contact to provide their ETA during their morning call (8:00-9:30A). Permit Inspector will not be calling from a 238 prefix, they will be calling from City issued mobile devices. Permit Inspectors may offer remote inspection based on project type. For information about remote inspections, please visit: City of Oakland | Remote Building Permit Inspections (oaklandca.gov)
Please have approved plans and documents (including job card) on site. It is the project responsibility to have their approved documents printed in FULL color at the job site prior to inspections.
INSPECTION QUESTIONS/CONCERNS/BUILDING CODE CLARIFICATIONS:
For permit inspection questions, please email: InspectionInfo@oaklandca.gov.
PERMIT INSPECTIONS OFFICE HOURS:
-INSPECTION ISSUES SHALL BE ADDRESSED IN THE FIELD WHEREVER POSSIBLE. Please consider sending an email to the primary permit inspector. Permit Inspectors are able to hold virtual office hours via Microsoft TEAMS. INSPECTOR DIRECTORY
SENIOR INSPECTOR/SUPERVISOR OFFICE HOURS:
Please email: InspectionInfo@oaklandca.gov. Seniors and Supervisors are able to meet at job sites to address high level technical assistance when necessary.
PERMIT INSPECTIONS RESPONSE TO POOR AIR QUALITY DAYS (Air Quality Index AQI Range: 101-500):
During extremely poor air quality events, inspections may be conducted remotely until further notice.
When AQI exceeds 201 or upon direction from City of Oakland City Administrator, all permit inspections will be conducted remotely until further notice.
We can perform remote inspections using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Facetime.
Please visit this page for remote inspection information: https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/remote-building-permit-inspections
We apologize for any inconvenience the health of the public and permit inspectors is of upmost importance.
To schedule an inspection please use the appropriate Building Inspection Request App for your mobile device:
Apple iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/oakland-inspection-request/id1536410984
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oakland.inspectionrequest
To schedule by phone, please call 510-238-3444.
We can perform remote inspections using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Facetime. Remote Inspection must follow all Construction Safety Protocols.
Please visit this page for remote inspection information: https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/remote-building-permit-inspections
During poor air quality events, ALL permit inspections will be conducted remotely.
BUILDING INSPECTIONS:
Inspections are required to ensure that the construction is proceeding according to the approved plans, project conditions-of-approval and that all current code standards are being met. This will help to ensure the projects' safety and to secure the value of the improvement.
It is the projects' responsibility to schedule all inspections. An appointment must be made at least one working day in advance. Inspections are limited to three (3) inspections maximum per permit, per week. Inspectors have a maximum of 20 minutes per stop.
The City of Oakland cannot conduct same day inspections. These include disconnect-reconnect requests for Electrical Meter work.
A person over the age of 18 with knowledge of the project must be present for the inspection to take place.
Please have approved plans and documents (including job card) on site. It is the permittees' responsibility to have all approved documents printed in FULL color at the job site prior to inspections.
During the construction phase, inspections by City of Oakland Inspectors are required prior to:
- Placing concrete or grout
- Covering electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work
- Covering floor framing
- Covering interior sides of wall framing
- Taping gypsum wallboard
- Applying stucco
- Insulation
- Shower Walls prior to tiling
- Exterior & Interior shear nailing
- Waterproof membrane at exterior balconies, stairs, etc.
- Roof plywood nailing
- Roof framing
- Shafts
- Fire protection
Inspections are also required prior to connecting to, or the hook-up of:
For more information, contact the Building Services Department at (510) 238-3444.
Permit Inspection Request
The City of Oakland provides several easy ways to schedule your inspections. However, a project ends up scheduling, project will need to be prepared with the following information:
- Permit number(s)
- Property address
- Date(s) of inspection(s)
- Type(s) of inspection (shown on your Inspection Card)
- Field contact name and contact telephone (for the morning of the inspection)
- Field contact name and contact telephone/fax/e-mail (for sending schedule confirmation)
We will not be able to schedule the inspection if:
- Project owes fees
- Permit is not yet issued, inactive, expired, or suspended
Please Note: Project must contact other agencies directly to schedule their inspections:
- Public Works (CGS, X, SL permits): (510) 238-3651
- Fire Prevention Bureau: (510) 238-3462