Fence, Gate, and Freestanding Wall Permits

Step 1.Step One: Check Your Eligibility for Exemption from Design Review

If your project is a like-for-like replacement of an existing Residential fence/gate/freestanding wall in a front yard, you may apply for exemption from Design Review for faster, simpler project review.

• Learn more about projects that are eligible on our Design Review Exemption (DRX) webpage.

Step 2.Step Two: Apply for Exemption from Design Review

• Apply for Design Review Exemption through our Online Permit Center(first log in, then apply)
• In the application, upload your completed Design Review Exemption (DRX) checklist(PDF, 288KB), project plans (see Zoning Plan Requirements(PDF, 864KB)), a description of work to be performed, and all associated documents. For submission guidelines, please review our Electronic Plan & Document Submittal Guidelines
  * NOTE: Include a photo of the yard, a site plan- with property lines, building footprints, and proposed fence/gate/freestanding wall location — along with elevations to scale for design and size.
• If you are an agent representing a building owner, also upload your signed and notarized Letter of Agency Authorization Form(PDF, 209KB).
• Staff will review your submission
• Once approved, you will receive notice from the Bureau of Planning

Step 3.Step Three: Building Permits (As Applicable)

• Once you have received Planning approval, 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 all required documents, including plans and structural calculations (as applicable)
• Once advised by staff, your permit application will be created in our system and review your plans
• If your plans require corrections or if we need further information, you will be contacted by staff
• Fees will be assessed by staff and paid by applicant
• Once fees are paid, your application will be routed for Plan Check review

Step 4.Step Four: Recycling Plan

• All Oakland building permits require an approved Recycling Plan (called a WRRP) before being issued. As soon as your Permit Application has been processed, a Green Halo project will be created for you and an invitation for the project will be sent to the email address you provided on your Permit Application.
• Follow the directions in Green Halo to pay this fee and write a Recycling Plan for all debris your building project will generate.

Learn More About Recycling

Step 5.Step Five: Building Permit & Final Check

• After Plan Check has been completed, your Building Permit application will go to Final Check before the Building Permit is issued.
• Staff will with work with you to ensure everything is complete and inform you of any outstanding steps, fees, or documents.
• Building Permits are issued

For the latest permitting estimates, see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.

Step 1.Step One: Check Your Eligibility for Small Project Design Review

If your project meets one or more of the criteria shown below, it is eligible for streamlined Small Project Design Review (DS):

For Residential Facilities:

• Fences/Gates/Freestanding Walls greater than 3.5 feet in height, but not exceeding 6 feet in a front yard and street side yard

For Nonresidential Activities and Facilities in a Residential Zone:

• Fences/Gates/Freestanding Walls greater than 8 feet in height, but not exceeding 10 feet in height, within 10 feet of the public right-of-way or neighboring property located in a Residential or Open Space Zone

For Commercial Zones and in the OS, S-1, S-3, D-CO-1, and S-15 Zones:

• Fences/Gates/Freestanding Walls greater than 8 feet in height, but not exceeding 10 feet in height, within 10 feet of the public right-of-way or neighboring property located in a Residential or Open Space Zone

For Industrial Zones and in the OS, S-1, S-3, D-CO-1, and S-15 Zones:

• Fences/Gates/Freestanding Walls greater than 8 feet in height, but not exceeding 12 feet in height, within 10 feet of the public right-of-way or neighboring property located in a Residential or Open Space Zone
• Any fence/gate/freestanding wall located elsewhere on a lot in an Industrial Zone may only be permitted to exceed 12 feet in height if installed with additional landscape screening

Check your project's Zone with our Zoning Map

Step 2.Step Two: Apply for Small Project Design Review

If your project meets one or more criteria in the list above from Step One, follow the bulleted instructions as outlined here:

• Submit a Zoning Worksheet (ZW) through our Online Permit Center*
  * NOTE: You will be taken to our login page first before you can submit a ZW
• In the Worksheet, upload your completed Basic Application for Development Review(PDF, 5MB) (select “Small Project Design Review” or “DS-1” under the "Development Permits" list on the application) and all associated documents. Include a photo of the yard, a site plan — with property lines, building footprints, and proposed fence/gate/freestanding wall location — along with elevations to scale for design and size.
• Fences/Gates/Freestanding Walls made of wood and metal and over 7 feet in height and retaining walls over 3 feet in height also require you to apply for Building Permits (see Step Three)
• A planner will review your submission
• Once approved, you will receive notification from the Bureau of Planning 

Step 3.Step Three: Building Permits (As Applicable)

• Once you have received Planning approval, submit a Building Worksheet through our Online Permit Center (first log in, then apply)
• In the Worksheet, upload all required documents, including plans and structural calculations (as applicable)
• Once advised by staff, your permit application will be created in our system and review your plans
• If your plans require corrections or if we need further information, you will be contacted by staff
• Fees will be assessed and you must pay your fees
• Once fees are paid, your application will be routed for Plan Check review 

Step 4.Step Four: Recycling Plan

• All Oakland building permits require an approved Recycling Plan (called a WRRP) before being issued. As soon as your Permit Application has been processed, a Green Halo project will be created for you and an invitation for the project will be sent to the email address you provided on your Permit Application.
• Follow the directions in Green Halo to pay this fee and write a Recycling Plan for all debris your building project will generate.

Learn More About Recycling

Step 5.Step Five: Building Permit & Final Check

• After Plan Check has been completed, your Building Permit application will go to Final Check before the Building Permit is issued.
• Staff will with work with you to ensure everything is complete and inform you of any outstanding steps, fees, or documents.
• Permits are issued

For the latest permitting estimates, see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.

Step 1.Step One: Regular Design Review

• Submit a Zoning Worksheet (ZW) through our Online Permit Center*
  * NOTE: You will be taken to our login page first before you can submit a ZW
• In the Worksheet, upload your completed Basic Application for Development Review(PDF, 2MB)(PDF, 5MB) and all associated documents. Include a photo of the yard, a site plan — with verified property lines, building footprints, and proposed gate location — along with elevations to scale for design and size.
• A planner will review your submission
• Once approved, you will receive notice from the Bureau of Planning

Step 2.Step Two: Building Permit

• Once you have received Planning approval, submit a Building Worksheet through our Online Permit Center (first log in, then apply)
• In the Worksheet, upload all required documents, including plans and structural calculations (as applicable)
• Once advised by staff, your permit application will be created in our system and review your plans
• If your plans require corrections or if we need further information, you will be contacted by staff
• Fees will be assessed and you must pay your fees
• Once fees are paid, your application will be routed for Plan Check review 

Step 3.Step Three: Recycling Plan

• All Oakland building permits require an approved Recycling Plan (called a WRRP) before being issued. As soon as your Permit Application has been processed, a Green Halo project will be created for you and an invitation for the project will be sent to the email address you provided on your Permit Application.
• Follow the directions in Green Halo to pay this fee and write a Recycling Plan for all debris your building project will generate.

Learn More About Recycling

Step 4.Step Four: Building Permit & Final Check

• After Plan Check has been completed, your Building Permit application will go to Final Check before the Building Permit is issued.
• Staff will with work with you to ensure everything is complete and inform you of any outstanding steps, fees, or documents.
• Permits are issued

For the latest permitting estimates, see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.