Telecom Facilities and Satellite Dishes

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

If your project falls under any of the criteria listed below, 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.

• Small Wireless Facilities (SWF) located in the public right-of-way
• Small microwave and satellite dishes that are 3' or less on private property

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

• Apply for Design Review Exemption through our Online Permit Center(log in first, then apply)
• In the application, upload your project plans including a description of work to be performed, any additional forms as outlined below for your project type, supplemental information, Radio Frequency Emissions reports, photo sims, and a plan set that complies with the application submittal requirements for your project. For submission guidelines, please review our Electronic Plan & Document Submittal Guidelines*
  * NOTE: If your project is a Facility in the Public Right-of-Way, also submit a Design Review Exemption Checklist(PDF, 229KB)
• If you are an agent representing a building owner, also upload your signed and notarized Letter of Agency Authorization Form
• A planner will review your submission
• Once approved, you will receive notice from the Bureau of Planning (as applicable)

Step 3.Step Three: Building Permits (ALL Applications)

• Submit a Building Worksheet through our Online Permit Center(log in first, then apply)
• In the Worksheet, upload your Radio Frequency Emissions reports and digital plans. Please include a description of all work that will be performed
• Please note that for projects in the right-of-way, you will need prior approval from the Department of Transportation (see Step Three) before your Building Permit is issued
• Apply for your Electrical Permits as applicable

Step 4.Step Four: Dept. of Transportation Review (ONLY for Small Facilities in the Right-of-Way)

• Submit the following to DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov:
  • Traffic Control Plan
  • Plans approved by Utility Company
  • Bond
  • Certificate of Insurance
  • Inspection drawdown deposit

Step 5.Step Five: 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 6.Step Six: Building Permits & 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 processing estimates, please see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.

Step 1.Step One: Check Your Eligibility for Small Project Design Review (Selected Applications)

If your project meets any of the following criteria, it will be processed under streamlined Small Project Design Review (DS):

• Alterations of existing Telecom facilities must follow Planning Code Chapter 17.128(PDF, 11MB)
• At existing Micro Facility, installing new or replacement antennas as long as they remain hidden from public view
• At existing Mini Facility, installing new or replacement antennas as long as they remain hidden from public view
• Repair or replacement of existing equipment. Such equipment may include, but is not limited to, cabinet, cable, conduit, and connectors

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

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

• Submit Zoning Worksheet (ZW) through our Online Permit Center(log in first, then apply)
• In the Worksheet, upload your complete Basic Application for Development Review(PDF, 5MB), a description of all work that will be performed, any additional forms as outlined below for your project type, supplemental information, Radio Frequency Emissions reports, photo sims, and a plan set that complies with the application submittal requirements for your project.
• A planner will review your submission
• Once approved, you will receive notice from the Bureau of Planning (as applicable)

Step 3.Step Three: Building Permits (ALL Applications)

• Submit a Building Worksheet through our Online Permit Center(log in first, then apply)
• In the Worksheet, upload your Radio Frequency Emissions reports and digital plans. Please include a description of all work that will be performed
• Please note that for projects in the right-of-way, you will need prior approval from the Department of Transportation (see Step Three) before your Building Permit is issued
• Apply for your Electrical Permits as applicable

Step 4.Step Four: Dept. of Transportation Review (ONLY for Small Facilities in the Right-of-Way)

• Submit the following to DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov:
  • Traffic Control Plan
  • Plans approved by Utility Company
  • Bond
  • Certificate of Insurance
  • Inspection drawdown deposit

Step 5.Step Five: 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 6.Step Six: Building Permits & 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 processing estimates, please see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.

Step 1.Step One: Regular Design Review (Selected Applications) 

• Submit Zoning Worksheet (ZW) through our Online Permit Center(log in first, then apply)
• In the Worksheet, upload your complete Basic Application for Development Review(PDF, 5MB), a description of all work that will be performed, any additional forms as outlined below for your project type, supplemental information, Radio Frequency Emissions reports, photo sims, and a plan set that complies with the application submittal requirements for your project:

• CUP (Conditional Use Permit)
• Telecom. Mini Facilities - Additional Design Review Criteria and CUP Findings(PDF, 241KB)
• Telecom. Micro Facilities - Additional Design Review Criteria and CUP Findings(PDF, 28KB)
• Telecom. Macro Facilities - Additional Design Criteria(PDF, 30KB)
• Telecom. Monopole Facilities - Additional Design Review Criteria and CUP Findings(PDF, 33KB)
• Telecom. Tower Facilities - Additional Design Review Criteria(PDF, 26KB)

• A planner will review your submission
• Please note that public notice will be required for the construction of all new facilities
• Once approved, you will receive notice from the Bureau of Planning (as applicable)

Step 2.Step Two: Building Permits (ALL Applications)

Step 3.Step Three: Dept. of Transportation Review (ONLY for Small Facilities in the Right-of-Way)

• Submit the following to DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov:
  • Traffic Control Plan
  • Plans approved by Utility Company
  • Bond
  • Certificate of Insurance
  • Inspection drawdown deposit

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 Permits & 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 processing estimates, please see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.