Additions & Conversions to Habitable Space

A Building Permit is required for additions to existing structures or conversion of non-habitable space to habitable space within residential buildings, commercial, institutional or industrial structures. Design Review by the Bureau of Planning is required prior to submitting for a Building Permit.

Faster Approval for Housing Projects!
Get faster approval for your project. We've created a new Ministerial Design Review process to approve housing projects based on clear Objective Design Standards. See if your project qualifies below!

Before you Start

Please review the Permit Requirements below as these vary from project to project.

Ready to get started?

First, make sure you are registered and activated at our Online Permit Center. For instructions, please visit our Planning & Building Video Tutorials webpage.

Permit Requirements

When is a Permit Required?

Zoning Review is required for any project that includes exterior alteration or conversions to habitable space. A Building Permit is required for all additions or conversion to habitable space. For projects involving less than three units, separate Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) applications are not required, but a full description of any MEP work to be performed must be included in the same application.

Who Can Apply?

1. Contractors who are licensed by the State of California with a classification appropriate for the work that will be performed and have a current Business Tax Certificate.

2. Owners of a building or their legal representative.

Objective Design Standards and Faster Review for 1 to 4 Family Housing Projects

The following 1 to 4 family housing and mixed-use projects are now eligible for faster "Ministerial" Design Review using Objective Design Standards!

Single-Family Homes, Duplexes, Triplexes, and Fourplexes
Townhomes and other 1-4 unit housing projects
Additions or conversions to an existing building that alter the exterior building envelope to create new dwelling units. If a project creates additional units that are entirely within an existing building, the project will go through Small Project Design Review instead (see Planning Code Section 17.136.030).

Additional Requirements: All applications for Design Review involving the creation of one or more new dwelling units with a project area footprint slope that exceeds 20% shall use an architect licensed by the State of California. In addition, for Ministerial Design Review projects of 1-4 units, you are not required to give notice of intention to apply for Ministerial Design Review to nearby properties.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To be eligible for faster Ministerial Design Review, your project must NOT require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), variance, Planned Unit Development (PUD), or Development Agreement. Otherwise, your project must go through Regular (Discretionary) Design Review. In addition, your project must not fall into one of the project categories listed in 17.136.038.A.5 that are not eligible for Ministerial Design Review.

For details, see the Applicability section in the 1 to 4 Family or Mixed-Use Project Objective Design Standards Guide and Checklist(PDF, 2MB). For guidance on applying for your project, see below.

How to Apply

Step 1.Step One: Design Review

Submit a Zoning Worksheet through our Online Permit Center*
* NOTE: You'll need to log in before you can submit a Zoning Worksheet
In the Worksheet, upload your completed Basic Application for Development Review(PDF, 5MB)**, a description of all Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing (MEP) work to be performed, and all required plans and documents*
* NOTE: If your project is subject to Objective Design Standards (see criteria in pop-open box above), also upload your completed Objective Design Standards Guide and Checklist(PDF, 1MB) and your completed Equitable Climate Action Plan Consistency Checklist(PDF, 238KB)
** Please note that Additions & Conversions are distinct from new living units.
A planner will review your submission
Once approved, you will receive notice from the Bureau of Planning

Step 2.Step Two: Building Permits

Once advised by staff, submit a Building Worksheet through our Online Permit Center*
* NOTE: You will be taken to our login page first before you can submit a Building Worksheet
In the Worksheet, upload all required documents as outlined in the Submittal Checklist for Additions & Alterations(PDF, 150KB) and a description of all Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing (MEP) work to be performed (if a house or duplex)
Once we receive your Building Worksheet and associated documents, staff will review your submission for completeness.
Once advised by staff, your permit application will be created and fees will be assessed
Pay your fees
Once fees are paid, your application will be routed for Plan Check review

Step 3.Step Three: 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 4.Step Four: Final Check & Permits

After Plan Check has been completed, your application will go to Final Check before the permit is issued.
Staff will with work with you to ensure everything is complete and inform you of any outstanding steps, fees, or documents.
Permits are issued

For the latest permitting estimates, visit our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.

Need to Know

Questions?

Call (510) 238-3891 or find quick answers through our Permit & Services Questions Portal. You may also schedule an appointment with Permit Counter staff during open hours.

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Phone

(510) 238-3891

Location

Planning & Building

250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 2nd Floor

Oakland, CA

94612

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