Planning & Building Forms

This page provides a series of Planning & Building forms for submitting and processing zoning and building applications and permits. They are provided here for your convenience, but you may need to talk to a planner, permit technician, or plan check engineer to advise you on the permits your project may require. Proposals may involve multiple permit approvals depending on the complexity of the land use issues and location of the proposed project.

Planning/Zoning Forms & Information

• Basic Application for Development Review(PDF, 2MB) - This application form is required for all planning & zoning permits except for pre-applications and Creek Protection Permits described below.

Housing Project Forms

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Apply for ADUs on Single-Family or Multi-Family parcels, use or pre-approved ADU plans, or read our how-to guides that summarize the latest requirements.
• Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act (AB 2011) Form(PDF, 530KB) - Applicants may use this form for housing development projects that are subject to streamlined, ministerial review pursuant to Chapter 4.1 (commencing with California Government Code section 65912.100) of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code. Eligible projects must comply with site criteria, affordability criteria, and objective development standards.
• Affordable Housing Density Bonus Supplemental Form(PDF, 323KB) - Project applicants may use this form to request a Density Bonus or financially equivalent incentive(s) for a housing development that includes plans to construct a specified percentage of housing for low-income households, very low-income households, senior citizens, or providing child care facilities.
• Regulatory Agreements Required for Affordable Unit Restrictions - Once Planning Conditions of Approval have been granted for a Density Bonus, project applicants must enter into a Regulatory Agreement with the City to preserve unit affordability.
• Housing Unit Inventory Supplemental Form(PDF, 316KB) - Applicant shall submit a Unit Inventory that accounts for all Dwelling Units, including any unpermitted units, that are proposed to be affected by the project proposal. The Unit Inventory shall be submitted concurrently with the Basic Application for Development Review (linked above).
• Notice of Intent Pre-application for Streamlined Housing Development Review (SB 35)(PDF, 331KB) - This document serves as a pre-application form for submitting a Notice of Intent to apply for Streamlined Housing Development Review. California Government Code section 65913.4, also known as Senate Bill 35, requires the City to review qualifying housing development projects using a ministerial review process.
• Small Sites Residential Development and Parcel Subdivision (SB 684) Supplemental Form(PDF, 507KB) - Applicants may use this form for housing development projects that include the subdivision of a parcel into 10 or fewer lots, which are subject to streamlined, ministerial review pursuant to Government Code Sections 65852.28 and 66499.41 (also known as the Starter Home Revitalization Act). Eligible projects must comply with site criteria and objective development standards.
• Vesting Preliminary Housing Development Application (SB 330)(PDF, 326KB) - This Vesting Preliminary Application is intended strictly for seeking vesting of the zoning, design, subdivision, and fee requirements that apply to a housing development project pursuant to SB 330, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019.

Environmental Forms

• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Review Documents
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Thresholds of Significance(PDF, 435KB) - To help clarify and standardize analysis and decision-making in the environmental review process, the City of Oakland has established these CEQA Thresholds of Significance Guidelines (which have been in general use since at least 2002). These Thresholds are offered as guidance in preparing all environmental review documents (including Initial Studies and EIRs).
• Creek Determination Application Form(PDF, 72KB) - A Creek Determination may be requested to identify whether or not a property within the City of Oakland is a creekside property, and therefore subject to regulation by the Creek Protection Ordinance.
• Creek Protection Permit Application Form(PDF, 296KB) - Creek Protection Permit is required for any proposed construction activity occurring on a creekside property. The extent to which your development will be regulated by the Creek Protection Ordinance depends upon the location and type of proposed work.
• Equitable Climate Action Plan Project Consistency Checklist(PDF, 238KB) - Checklist to help determine whether a development project complies with the City of Oakland Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP) and the City of Oakland's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. CEQA Guidelines require the analysis of GHG emissions and potential climate change impacts from new development.

Miscellaneous Forms and Information

• Appeal Application Form(PDF, 161KB) - Appeal of a decision to the Planning Commission or City Council.
• Pre-application Form(PDF, 328KB) - Pre-applications are optional and allow you an opportunity to submit your preliminary plans for review by an assigned case planner.
• City of Oakland Standard Conditions of Approval(PDF, 1MB) - A set of consistent requirements applied to all projects needing permits, aiming to reduce environmental impact.
• Supplemental Forms - Most applications also require supplemental forms including findings for conditional use permits, design review and variances.
• Zoning Clearance (for Business License) - The first step to permitting a new business (including a home-based business) is the approval by the Planning Department of a Zoning Clearance.

Building Permit Forms & Information

• Building Permit Application(PDF, 202KB)
• Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Application Worksheet (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):
  • MEP Worksheet (Online Submittals)(PDF, 661KB)
  • MEP Worksheet (Permit Counter Submittals)(PDF, 662KB)
  • MEP Permits Info Page
• Alternative Materials and Methods Request (AMMR) Form(PDF, 347KB)
• Grading Permit Application(PDF, 227KB)
• PZ Permit Application (Private Construction or Modification of Onsite Infrastructure)(PDF, 694KB)
• Solar Systems & Facilities Application(PDF, 427KB) | Solar Systems & Facilities Info Page
• Application for Temporary Occupancy (TCO) Webform
• Application for Sewer Lateral, Curb, Gutter, SW Excavation Permit(PDF, 478KB) (Dept. of Transportation)
• Building Permit Application Extension Request Webform
• Issued Building Permit Extension - Reinstatement Request Webform
• Building Permit Valuation Worksheet(PDF, 92KB) - Establishes permit fees and includes materials and labor associated with the scope of work including, but not limited to, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment, and permanent systems.
• Demolition Permit Acknowledgement Form(PDF, 229KB)

Permit-Related Checklists and Directives

• Plans Submittal Checklist for Additions and Alterations(PDF, 150KB)
• Plans Submittal Checklist for New Construction(PDF, 94KB)
• Survey and Site Plan Checklists for New Construction(PDF, 108KB)
• Commercial Plan Submittal Requirements for Obtaining Building Permits(PDF, 227KB)
• Deck Plans Checklist(PDF, 144KB)
• Building Directive Concerning Gender Neutral Facilities(PDF, 338KB)
• State Regulations for Water Metering per Senate Bill SB-7 for Multi-Unit Structures(PDF, 54KB)
• Certificate of Compliance with SB407 for Water Saving Plumbing Fixtures(PDF, 389KB)
• Electric Vehicle Service Equipment / Charging Station Permits
• Grading Permit Checklist(PDF, 94KB)

Plan Check-Related Forms

• Request for Overtime Plan Check Webform
• Submit a Building or Zoning Revision to Issued Permits
• Accessibility Checklist for Construction Plans(PDF, 3MB)

Miscellaneous Forms

• Apply for Re-issued Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Webform
• Oakland CF1R Energy Form for Fenestration Webform
• Oakland CF1R Energy Form for Fenestration PDF(PDF, 229KB)
• Letter of Agency for Property Owners:
  • Notarized Authorizations(PDF, 162KB)
  • In-Person Owner Authorizations(PDF, 144KB)
• Permit Transfer Letter(PDF, 100KB)

Online Permit Center / Accela Citizen Access (ACA) User Forms

• Contractor User Agreement(PDF, 308KB)
• Contractor's Declaration Webform
• Contractor's Declaration PDF(PDF, 425KB)
• Owner-Builder User Agreement(PDF, 322KB)
• Owner-Builder's Declaration Webform
• Owner-Builder's Declaration PDF(PDF, 658KB)

Cashier Forms

• Refund Request Webform
• Code Enforcement and Zoning Violation Billing Appeal Form(PDF, 275KB)
• Demand Request Form for Code Enforcement Violation Lien(PDF, 167KB)

Permit Inspections

• Owner Certification of Smoke /Carbon Monoxide Detector Compliance(PDF, 309KB)
• Building Inspection Overtime Request Form Webform
• City of Oakland Recognized Special Inspector and Testing Agencies as per California Building Code(PDF, 390KB)

Records Requests

• Submit Public Records Request
• Search Public Records
• Application for Report of Building Record (3-R Report)
• Authorization from Property Owner Form (3-R Report)
• Authorization to Duplicate Building Plans - Requestor Affidavit
• Authorization to Duplicate Building Plans - Professional of Record
• Authorization to Duplicate Building Plans - Property Owner Form

Informational Documents

• Obtaining a Permit(PDF, 183KB)
• Building Design Authority(PDF, 163KB)
• Work Exempt From a Building Permit(PDF, 83KB)
• Initial Statement of the Engineer for Grading(PDF, 127KB)
• Grading Statement of Completion of Civil Engineer(s) in Responsible Charge - Final Completion(PDF, 153KB)