One-Stop Permit Center: In-Person & Online Services
Sign Up for Permit Center Updates
Participating Departments
Fire Prevention Services
Schedule Fire Permit Appointment:
Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm (In-Person)
Wed 10 am - 4 pm (Virtual)
Walk-in Hours:
Mon, Wed 10 am - 2 pm
Fire Permitting Services
Planning & Building Services
Schedule a Planning & Building Permit Appointment:
Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30 am - 4 pm (slots vary by type)
Walk-in Hours:
Mon and Wed 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Full Planning & Building Services
Transportation Services
Schedule a Transportation Permit Appointment:
Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm (In-Person)
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 10 am - 4 pm (Virtual)
Transportation Permitting Services
Take Our Customer Survey!
Please complete our short Customer Satisfaction Survey and help us improve our services!
Take Our Survey
Welcome to the One-Stop Permit Center!
The City of Oakland welcomes you to 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, our One-Stop Permit Center! This webpage is designed to assist you in accessing our services as we continue to expand our in-person and online services.
Digital services are available 24/7 through our Online Permit Center as well as in-person by appointment or through walk-in hours (see schedule below). Check out our Video Tutorials for assistance. Visit our homeowner permits and commercial developer permits pages for step-by-step guidance for common project types. Frequently asked Planning & Building questions are also answered on our Permit & Services Questions Portal.
Hours of Operation
After arriving at the Permit Center, please check in at the security desk. You’ll be given a ticket number. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called. When called, you’ll be directed to the 2nd Floor to check in for Permit Counter service.
We offer in-person permitting services at:
City of Oakland Permit Center
250 Frank H Ogawa Plaza
1st Floor (Greeter Station & Lobby) & 2nd Floor (Permit Counters)
Oakland, CA 94612
Participating Departments:
- Fire Department - Fire Prevention Services
In-Person Appointments: Tue, Thu: 9 am - 4 pm
Virtual Appointments: Wed: 10 am - 4 pm
Walk-in Hours: Mon, Wed 10 am - 2 pm
Go to: Fire Prevention Bureau Permitting Services
- Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)
In-Person Appointments: Tue, Thu: 9 am - 4 pm
Virtual Appointments: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 10 am - 4 pm
Go To: OakDOT Permitting Services
- Planning & Building Department
Walk-in Hours: Mon and Wed 8:30 am - 4 pm
Appointments:
- Building Questions, Plan Review, Reserve Computer
Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30 am - 4 pm (In-Person)
- Planning / Zoning Questions
Tue, Thu, Fri 10 am - 2:30 pm (Virtual Only)
- Cashier
Online 24/7 through our Online Permit Center (registration required)
Phone: Mon - Fri 9 am - 4 pm (Please leave a message for callbacks)
In-person Walk-in Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm, Wed 10 am - 2 pm
In-person Appointments: Tue, Thu 9 am - 4 pm
- What to Expect When You Arrive
Schedule an Appointment
Planning & Building Appointments
Be prepared! Before in-person appointments concerning Planning & Building project permits, please be sure you have submitted your initial Zoning or Building Worksheet or permit application through the Online Permit Center. Documents must be submitted electronically; paper documents are not being accepted.
You may self-schedule an appointment for the following services:
Oakland Fire & Dept. Of Transportation Appointments
Need to Reschedule an Appointment?
- Please cancel and reschedule your appointment if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone that has tested positive. COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to: chills, cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
- Need to cancel or reschedule your appointment? Please refer to the original confirmation message you received when booking to cancel or reschedule. To reschedule Planning & Building Department appointments, you may also call (510) 238-3891. We ask that you cancel or request to reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. This will allow staff to offer appointments to other patrons in need of assistance.
Online Services
Find or apply for the permits you need, ask permit questions 24/7, or get started on your project today!
Planning/Zoning Services
Planning Counter Services
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission promotes the orderly growth and development of the City through studies, decisions on development proposals, policy recommendations to the City Council, and related activities. The City has resumed in-person Planning Commission meetings (see upcoming and past meetings).
Development Planning
This division manages the development of Major Projects, many of which have opportunities for public input.
See full list of Major Projects
Strategic Planning
The following Policy Projects are currently underway and will have opportunities for public input:
See full list of Policy Projects
Building Services
Building Counter Services
Building Inspections
Code Enforcement
Cashiering and Records Requests
Cashier
Records Requests
When You Arrive & Covid Safety
When You Arrive:
Please do not come to City buildings or facilities if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive. COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to: chills, cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
- Masks are not required for entry into City buildings, regardless of vaccination status. However, be mindful and respectful of other's choices and personal space.
You are required to check in with building security to see Planning & Building, OakDOT or Fire staff. Security will issue a ticket and you will be notified when you can go upstairs to the Customer Intake Station to complete your check-in for services.
- For the sake of reducing density in the building, we ask that you come to your appointment alone if at all possible
- Please remain behind the plexiglass barriers. They have been placed on the counter to protect you and City staff.
- Restrooms are available on the first floor for use by members of the public.
You will be notified when Planning & Building staff is ready to serve you on monitors located in the first-floor lobby of 250 Frank H. Ogawa and in the Permit Center, as well as through speakers located in the Permit Center. You are not required to stay in the building while you are waiting, and can instead provide your cell phone number or email address to receive a notification when staff are almost ready to serve you.
Permit Processing Turnaround Time Estimates
Expedited Requests: We are not accepting expedited requests on application intake processing at this time. However, we are accepting expedited requests for Planning & Building Plan Review and issuance processing, depending on staff availability for overtime work. To make a request for expedited review, please fill out this Overtime Plan Check Request Form.
We understand this unprecedented time has been challenging for many of our customers. It is our ultimate intention to return to the response times established prior to the Alameda County Shelter-In-Place Orders going into effect, as they are updated.
Important Note: To assist in getting your application started and moving, please note that your application is considered to be completely submitted for processing only after application materials are received and all application fees have been paid.
Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times (Estimates Only)
How to Obtain Status on Your Permit:
Permit Processing Overview
Permits are required in the City of Oakland either to operate a business or perform construction on buildings or structures. The permitting process will vary based on your project. You may need to obtain permits from the Planning Bureau, Building Bureau, Fire Prevention Bureau, Department of Transportation, Oakland Public Works, the Alameda County's Environmental Health Department, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or other governmental agencies. [See "Permitting Process" overview for details.]
Depending on the scope of work and the zoning of your property, your project may need to conform with design standards as outlined in one or more of Oakland's various Neighborhood Plans and Citywide Plans. You can also check the zoning requirements for your property by visiting our Oakland Zoning Map.
Permit Processing Overview