City of Oakland Service Modifications, Suspensions & Closures In Response to Alameda County Public Health Order to Shelter in Place

Interim City Administrator Steven Falk announced on March 17, 2020, that there would be temporary changes to City government functions, effective today, in accordance with the Alameda County Health Officer’s order for all Alameda County residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and preserve critical health care capacity across the region.

Date Posted: March 17th, 2020 @ 5:29 PM
Last Updated: November 5th, 2020 @ 11:02 AM

City Facility Closures

  • Recreation centers (closed to the public, staffed during day for safety)
  • Libraries (indoor areas closed, 16 locations continue to offer Sidewalk Service during limited hours)
  • Senior centers
  • Fox Theater
  • Paramount Theatre
  • Oakland Convention Center

Maintenance Functions Shifted to Emergency Response Only:

Call 311 or report online:

  • Parks maintenance

Other Suspended or Canceled Services

Public Meetings and Events Canceled

  • Advisory Commissions
  • Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meetings
  • Bulky Block Party on March 28, 2020

Parking

  • Effective November 9, 2020, street sweeping parking regulations will again be enforced.
  • Effective July 6, 2020 parking meters operations and time-limited parking enforcement resume.
  • City garages are open, but may be limited to monthly parkers at times
  • NOTE: the City will continue to enforce all other parking regulations in service of public safety and public health, including, red curbs and fire hydrants, sidewalk and crosswalk blocking, double-parking and bike lane violations, wheelchair ramp obstruction, and unauthorized use of disabled person parking placards.
  • Please note also that many of the City’s essential infrastructure construction projects are still ongoing. Clear curbs are necessary for infrastructure work, so we ask that residents keep an eye out for 72-hour no-parking signs related to construction. If curbs are not clear where construction has been noticed, enforcement and vehicle towing could be necessary.

Counter Functions Closed/Suspended

  • Passports
  • Domestic partnership registration
  • Residency Verification
  • KTOP – Client services for stage rental and client use of media editing tools
  • OPD Special Events Permits
  • Walking Tours

Open by Appointment Only

  • City Hall and other Frank H. Ogawa Plaza buildings are accessible to the public only by special appointment or for public meetings, but will otherwise be closed to the public.
  • Most public service counters at City Hall, 150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, and 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza are switching to online/phone/appointment access only; see below for details.
  • Private Sewer Lateral and other Wastewater Permits
  • Hazardous Materials Compliance Review
  • Creek and Watershed Permits
  • Construction and Demolition Recycling Permits

Open Limited Hours

Parking Citation Assistance Center service counter at 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza is open for reduced hours weekdays from10am-2pm for Boot Returns, Parking Citation Payments, and Parking Citation Challenges. Call us at (800) 500-6484 8:30am-4:30pm. Please visit our website for details: Parking Citation Assistance Center

Public Counter Closures with Phone/Online Alternatives

During this shelter in place order, many City services will remain available by phone or online. View an index of available online services.

City departments are providing alternative ways to access City services during the shelter in place order, including email, telephone, and online:

  • Planning & Building:
    • Building Inspections: Inspectioninfo@oaklandca.gov or (510) 238-3444
    • The City of Oakland is resuming inspection services for all project types identified in the County Order.
    • Each construction project site must comply with the protocols for operations in Appendices A, B-1 and B-2 of the Alameda County Shelter in Place Order. Project representatives must confirm their awareness of and adherence to the site and work conditions mandated in these appendices as a prerequisite for any inspection request. Anyone who cannot confirm awareness and adherence will have their inspection postponed until they can.
    • The Planning Commission has reconvened via Zoom. As such, the Planning Bureau has also resumed making administrative zoning determinations on projects and schedule entitlement cases to be heard before that body.
    • Planning & Building Permits/Applications/Appointments: permitinfo@oaklandca.gov
    • Get simple electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits at: https://aca.accela.com/OAKLAND
    • Building Fee Payments: Pay by phone at 510-238-4774 or online after registering with credit card at https://aca-prod.accela.com/OAKLAND/Welcome.aspx
    • Plan Check: buildingplancheckinfo@oaklandca.gov
    • Code Enforcement: 510-238-3381 or use our online File a Complaint form
    • General Building Services Questions: (510) 238-3891
    • Strategic Planning: See our Neighborhood and Citywide Plans and Policy Projects pages for info
    • Priority services remain operational as outlined in the modified service matrix available here.