Welcome To Oakland

Popular Services

Council & Commissions

Find your Councilmember, Join a board or commission

Child & Family Services

Apply to Head Start, Learn about our Summer Food Program

Housing & Rental Support

Tenant and landlord services, Rent Adjustment Program, Homebuyers workshop

Parks & Recreation

Rent a facility or park, Explore recreation centers

Working for Oakland

Apply for city jobs, Training and resources, Employee benefits

Crime Prevention

Ceasefire strategy, Violence prevention, MACRO

Planning & Building

Building Permits, Permit Center, How-To videos

Vehicles & Parking

Pay or challenge parking tickets, Street sweeping, Bicycle parking

Find a Service

Apply to Head Start Find out if you are eligible and how to apply for the City of Oakland Head Start and Early Head Start.
California Accessibilty Building Code Requirement (Chapter 11B) Assess your development project's compliance with accessibility requirements as stipulated in CBC 11B-202.4 - Path of Travel Requirements In Alterations, Additions, and Structural Repairs.
Special Event Permit Application Ready to host an unforgettable event in Oakland? Our streamlined special event permitting process makes it easy! Whether you’re planning a festival, concert, or gathering, we’re here to help.
Request a Code Enforcement Compliance Extension Request more time to comply with your issued Notice of Violation.
Pay Off a Loan Follow simple steps to complete the Loan Payoff Request process.
Submit Initial Affidavit of Compliance Buildings that are not exempt from the Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program require mandatory evaluation from an engineering professional.
Apply for Change of Compliance Tier A Petition for Change of Compliance Tier allows an owner to show that the building that is subject to the Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program is eligible for the later deadlines of a different Compliance Tier.
Apply for Exemption The Petition for Exemption allows an owner to show that the soft story building in question is not a "subject building" and is therefore exempt from a mandatory retrofit.
Request Zoning Information for Your Project Use our online Zoning tools or call our Zoning Hotline to request zoning information for your activity, building or business.
Register as a Lobbyist Register before lobbying activity begins
Explore Campaign Finance Disclosures Answer questions about who is contributing money to Oakland candidates and political campaigns and how that money is being spent.
Government Ethics for Form 700 Filers Training This Government Ethics Training provides a comprehensive overview of local ethics laws in Oakland including: gift restrictions, conflicts of interests, post-employment restrictions, and misuse of City resources/position.
Apply for Electric Vehicle Service Equipment & Charging Stations Oakland's Planning and Building Department offers all the resources you need, including project checklists, permit applications, and submission instructions.
Surrender an Animal Learn about your options before you make the decision to surrender your pet.
Terminate Your Campaign After the election, campaign committees must fully account for their financial activity before closing the account.
Ticket Distribution Training This training is intended for all City of Oakland Public Servants who distribute or receive City-issued event tickets.
Fence Permits Fences 3.5' to 6' high in front of a property require a Zoning Permit.
Alternate Materials & Methods Request (AMMR) If you need to request an alternate method or material to meet building codes in Oakland, submit an AMMR to present your case.
Report Internet Choice Denial Report and document the denial of Internet Choice to occupants of multi-unit buildings of 4 or more units.
Facade and Tenant Improvement Grant Small business owners and property owners can apply for up to $75,000 through the City of Oakland’s expanded and updated Facade and Tenant Improvement Program to improve the exterior and interior of their commercial properties.
Join the Public Ethics Commission The Public Ethics Commission seeks community members with a passion for public service to help influence policy toward greater fairness, openness, honesty, and integrity.
Ask for a Lobbyist Registration Fee Waiver Lobbyists representing non-profit organizations and small businesses that meet certain tax status and/or income requirements may apply for reduced or waived registration fees.
Redeem your Pet If you do find that your pet is located at Oakland Animal Services (OAS), there are a few things you will need to do.
Re-Roofing & Insulation Certificates Certify your re-roofing and insulation projects with Certificates.
Pay a Parking Ticket Pay your Oakland parking ticket easily online, by phone, mail, or in person! Avoid late fees by paying on time.
Participating in Virtual Council and Committee Meetings Participate in City Council and Committee meetings virtually. Join via Zoom, watch on KTOP, or submit public comments electronically.
Rainwater Catchment Systems Installation of a rainwater catchment system requires permits under certain conditions.
Request Mediation of your Public Records Request The Public Ethics Commission conducts mediation of public records requests made by members of the public to City departments for records within the department’s control.
Foreclosed and Defaulted Residential Property Maintenance Preserve neighborhood livability and the health and safety of Oakland residents by preventing neglect and deterioration of properties involved in the foreclosure process.
Schedule Your Building Inspection Call us to schedule your Building Inspection or download our scheduling app.
Apply for a Permit Extension or Reinstatement Complete the Issued Permit Extension/Reinstatement Request form to reinstate or extend your inactive or expired permits.
Accessory Structures: Garages & Sheds (Not ADUs) Accessory structures require Zoning Review and Building Permits.
Low-Cost Internet The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers eligible Oakland households a $30 monthly discount on internet services, making many plans free.
Apply for an Emergency Window Repair Grant The Emergency Window Repair Grant, part of The Façade and Tenant Improvement Programs (FTIP), is set-aside funding available for businesses to repair windows after an incident of vandalism.
Administrative Hearings This Public Ethics Commission Administrative Hearing Training provides an overview of the administrative hearing process as part of the Commission's enforcement powers and includes the roles and duties of Commission members, the Hearing Officer, and Commission staff.
Submit Lobbyist Activity Reports Lobbyists must submit activity reports each calendar quarter
Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens Community gardens and urban agriculture is permitted in most zones to support local food production.
Starting Your Campaign Follow this step-by-step checklist for candidates preparing to run for office.
Rent a Facility or Park Learn about the facilities Oakland offers for rent and how to apply.
Additions & Conversion to Habitable Space Additions or conversions require Building Permits, and Planning Review may be needed.
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) A CUP may be required for new activities, special project requirements, and some new facilities.
Commercial Tenant Improvements Permit Building Permits are required for all interior improvements, and Design Review may be required.
Greywater Irrigation System Simple home gray water irrigation systems require Plumbing Permits.
Lead-Based Paint Permits A permit is required for projects that disturb lead paint.
Foundation Repair & Replace Building Permits are required to repair or replace a foundation.
Creek Protection Permits Creek Protection Permits may be obtained through Zoning Review.
Deck Permits Decks require Building Permits, and Zoning Review may be required.
Demolition Permits Building Permits are required when more than half of the exterior walls are demolished.
Project-Related Tree Removal Permits Removing trees as part of an approved project requires a permit.
Fence Permits Fences 3.5' to 6' in front yards require a Zoning Permit, and may require a Building Permit.
Generators Generators require Zoning Review, and Electrical and Plumbing Permits are required. Large generators also require a Building Permit.
Major Multi-Family Residential, Mixed-Use & Commercial Projects Major multi-family residential, mixed-use or large-scale commercial projects require Planning entitlements and Building Permits.
Report an Issue (OAK 311) Request City Services with OAK311: illegal dumping, graffiti, potholes, encampments, building maintenance, and urgent infrastructure issues.
ADU with Single Family Home ADUs require Zoning Review and Building Permits.
Bollards on Private Property Installation of bollards on private property requires Planning Approval.
Zoning Clearance Permit A Zoning Clearance Permit is needed to approve any proposed business activity in Oakland.
Replace Windows Building Permits are required for any window replacement.
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) Permits All mechanical, electrical & plumbing work requires permits.
Housing Projects Eligible for Streamlined Review Selected housing development projects are eligible for streamlined review by the City of Oakland.
Apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Only projects that are new (from ground up), new units, or where a change in occupancy is taking place are issued a TCO. Additions, remodels, alterations, and tenant improvements are not issued a TCO.
Apply for Re-issued Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Follow the steps as outlined below to apply for a Reissued Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for an Expired or Unlocatable CO, or a Revoked CO.
File a Complaint with the Public Ethics Commission Report a violation of government ethics, campaign finance or transparency laws in the City of Oakland.
Solar Energy Systems & Facilities Solar energy systems require Building Permits.
Telecom Facilities Telecom facilities require review by both the Planning and Building Bureaus.
Outdoor Dining & Retail in Parking Lots & Private Spaces Outdoor dining & retail may occur in parking lots and private areas with approved plans and permits.
Sign Permits Business signs require a Zoning Permit.
Multi-Family Residence (3-4 Units) / Apartment Complex Multi-family residences of 3-4 units or more require Design Review and Building Permits.
Single Family Home New homes require Design Review and Building Permits.
RVs and Tiny Homes on Wheels RVs and tiny homes on wheels require Zoning approval and Building Permits.
One-Stop Permit Center: In-Person & Online Services Learn about our in-person and online Permit Center services.
Electric Vehicle Service Equipment & Charging Stations Electrical Permits and Building Bureau review are required.
New Duplex For new duplexes, regular Design Review (DR) and a Building Permit is required.
SB-9: Two-Unit Homes and Parcel Subdivisions SB-9 allow more homes to be built on single-family lots or to split the lot.
Termite or Dry Rot Repair Repairing termite or dry rot damage requires a Building Permit.
Utility Meters Electrical and/or Plumbing Permits are required to add, replace, or relocate a utility meter. Zoning Review may be required.
Letter of Determination (Project Zoning Conformity) Developers or business owners may seek to determine if a project meets Zoning regulations.
Grading Permits Grading Permits are required if a slope or elevation changes from grading.
Report or Check Status of a Property Complaint The City of Oakland's goal is to keep our neighborhoods and community clean, safe and free of blight. You can report blight, housing or zoning violations online or with the OAK311 app.
Apply to the Emergency Nuisance Abatement Program (Contractors) Apply to become a City contractor to help keep our neighborhoods and community clean, safe and free of blight.
Curbs, Gutters, Sidewalks (CGS) & Driveways Cutting into a curb, gutter, or sidewalk requires Zoning and OakDOT approval.