Apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy

Before you Start

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.

What are the site requirements for a TCO?

All life safety items for the building or portion of a building must be functional including:

  • Fire sprinklers and Alarms
  • Required means of egress including exit signage
  • Fire rated construction elements: walls, floors, corridors, stairs, shafts, etc.
  • Temporary elements may be required, stairs, separation walls, etc.
  • Minimum Accessibility as required by Chapter 11 of the building code
  • Areas where work is still taking place must be effectively separated from areas being occupied or open to the public, including parking areas or outdoor spaces.
  • All dwelling units must meet minimum habitability requirements, heat, light and ventilation etc.

 

What are the Approval Requirements for a TCO?

The TCO application requires approval from all applicable departments, the applicable departments will vary from one building or portion to another, but may include:

  • Planning
  • Building
  • Engineering Services
  • Plumbing
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Fire Prevention
  • Public Works
  • Department of Transportation
  • Health Department

Coordination with PG&E is essential. Typically, electrical connection must be made prior to issuing a TCO. City policy is to NOT release both Gas and Electric meters until the project is virtually complete.

 

 

 

How to Apply

Step 1.Step One: Complete Form

Fill out the complete TCO Request and Utility Disconnect Request sections of the TCO Application webform and submit online.

Click button below to be taken to an external TCO application webform.

Open Form 

Step 2.Step Two: Application Review

  • Permit Inspection Senior Staff will review your request and communicate with your primary Building Inspector
  • If your application can be processed, we will forward it to PBD cashier
  • If your application cannot be processed, we will contact you

Step 3.Step Three: Pay Fees

  • A PBD cashier will contact you for payment. Please note, Impact Fees may be applicable
  • Call the City of Oakland, 2nd Floor Cashier's Station to make payment* by Visa or Mastercard
    *Note: Payment of fees is not a TCO approval

(510) 238-4774

Step 4.Step Four: Obtain Signatures from Applicable Parties

  • Attach the receipt issued by the Cashier to your TCO application
  • Obtain signatures from all applicable parties (DOT, PWA, FIRE, all trade inspectors, and if applicable Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH), CA Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), Port of Oakland, and other non- City of Oakland agencies)

Step 5.Step Five: Obtain Signature from Primary Building Inspector

  • Contact your primary Building Inspector to sign* your TCO request document
    *Note: All permit inspectors can sign electronically

NOTE: TCO takes effect with Building Inspector's signature, not when fees are paid.

Not sure how to contact your Primary Building Inspector? Click the button below to be taken to our Building Inspector Staff Directory.

Open Staff Directory 

 

Need to Know

TERM OF VALIDITY:

A TCO is typically valid for up to 60 days. At the end of the TCO term an inspection will be required before a new TCO can be applied for. If the project has not received final approval and a new TCO has not been issued at the end of the TCO term, the utilities to the building may be disconnected. Each TCO application requires separate fees.

QUESTIONS?

Call (510) 238-3444 or send an email to TCORequest@oaklandca.gov.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

 

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