Oakland Subregional Shoreline Adaptation Plan

Oakland is developing a Subregional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (SSAP) to prepare for the impacts of rising sea levels. Sea level rise is expected to have a significant impact on Oakland’s shoreline communities. Learn more about local flood risks through the Adapting to Rising Tides (ART) Bay Shoreline Flood Explorer.

The plan will help the city adapt to flood risks by identifying ways to improve shoreline resilience. Adaptation could involve changes to how coastal land is used, policy updates, or new infrastructure projects. The plan will use community input to identify priority adaptation projects and will provide a roadmap for putting those projects into action.

Oakland is developing this plan alongside the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee (OAAC), the San Francisco Estuary Program (SFEP), and the Port of Oakland Waterfront Resilience Plan. We’re working together to align sea level rise adaption planning efforts across our shared estuary and shoreline.

Community input is a key part of the planning process. Find out about ways to participate below!

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Understanding Coastal Flood Risk

As part of the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP) framework established by California Senate Bill 272, local governments are creating Subregional Shoreline Adaptation Plans (SSAPs) to prepare communities for the impacts of rising sea levels. The plan looks at different types of coastal flood risks, including:

• Regular shoreline flooding caused by high tides and sea level rise
• Storm surge from major coastal storms
• Flooding from below ground caused by rising groundwater levels
• Combined flood hazards caused by multiple flood types occurring at the same time

The Oakland SSAP includes all areas within the City that are vulnerable to sea level rise. The plan will help communities better understand current and future flood risks so that they can make informed decisions about their near- and long-term resilience needs. This information will be used to identify ways to reduce flood risks, protect natural areas, and support a more resilient shoreline for the future.

The following map shows the SSAP study area. These are areas within the City of Oakland that are vulnerable to sea level rise.

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Planning Process and Timeline

The City of Oakland is developing the Oakland Subregional Shoreline Adaptation Plan in two phases. The planning process will follow the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP) guidelines, which provide a science-based framework for regional sea level rise planning in the Bay Area. Through each phase, Oakland will work with communities and regional partners to create a roadmap for a safer, healthier, and more resilient shoreline.

Phase 1, taking place Summer 2026 through early 2028, includes work with the cities of Alameda, Emeryville, Albany, and Berkeley. The focus of this phase of work is to understand the current conditions, future risks, and community priorities related to sea level rise while working closely with subregional partners and updating sea level rise adaptation work for compliance with the RSAP Guidelines.

Phase 2 will use the findings from Phase 1 to develop and prioritize adaptation strategies for Oakland in coordination with our partners. The anticipated timeline for Phase 2 is January 2027 through December 2028.

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Community Engagement

 

Community input is an important part of the planning process. Oakland is working with residents, businesses, and community organizations to share information about the local impacts of sea level rise. We’re also gathering feedback on local priorities and concerns that will help shape the Subregional Shoreline Adaptation Plan. If you live, work, or spend time near Oakland’s shoreline and want to get involved, you can attend one of the events listed below.

Sea Level Rise Adaptation Roadshow

The City of Oakland and the Port of Oakland will pop into local events to share information on sea level rise and gather input from community members. These events are a great opportunity to ask project staff questions, get project updates, and share your thoughts on how Oakland should adapt to rising sea levels.

• Fruitvale Farmers Market: 9/17
• Jack London Square Farmers Market: 9/6
• Old Oakland Farmers Market: 8/28
• West Oakland Farmers Market: 9/20
• Lincoln Summer Nights: 9/10, 10/8

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