Online Permit Center

Our Online Permit Center (Accela Citizen Access - ACA) allows you to apply for selected permits, check on the status of your permit(s), research property records, and print your own issued permits or inspection cards!

Visit Online Permit Center
Instrucciones
Spanish Instructions
使用指南
Chinese Instructions

Available Online Permits

Registered and activated users of our Accela Citizen Access (ACA) system can now apply online for a total of 12 Building Permit types, including:

  1. Solar Electric Panels
  2. Residential Building Combination (1-2 units only), Kitchen Remodel and/or Bathroom Remodel and/or Window Replacement; will also include any related Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing work
  3. Residential Building Alteration (3-5 units), including Kitchen Remodel and/or Bathroom Remodel and/or Window Replacement; separate permits required for related Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing work
  4. Non-Residential Building Alteration (6 units and above or commercial), including Kitchen Remodel and/or Bathroom Remodel and/or Window Replacement; separate permits required for related Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing work
  5. Non Residential Mechanical Alteration
  6. Non Residential Plumbing Alteration
  7. Non Residential Electrical Alteration
  8. Reroofing Certificate
  9. Insulation Certificate
  10. Residential - Plumbing
  11. Residential - Mechanical
  12. Residential – Electrical

NOTE: When applying, please use the address or parcel # that shows on your property tax to start your permit application. If you cannot find your address or proceed with your permit application, please email accelauserrequest@oaklandca.gov with your address, parcel, or owner information.

Permit Wizard

Permit Wizard Graphic

Need some personalized guidance? For the selected permits listed above, we also offer an online Permit Wizard to walk you through the process of scoping your project and directing you to all the applications and forms you'll need.

How-To Videos

Permit Questions Portal

Permit Questions Portal Graphic

Have questions?

We've added a new Permit Questions Portal with answers to some of the most common questions concerning our Online Permit Center, Building Permits, Planning/Zoning issues, and the permit application process.

Permit Questions Portal

Contact Us

Planning & Building Department

ACA Registration Questions: Contract license expiration, account questions. Expect a response within 3 business days during business hours.

E-mail: Permit Questions Portal

General Building Permits or Policy-Related Questions: Expect a response within 2 weeks.

E-mail: Permit Questions Portal
Phone: 510-238-3891

Plan Check or Building Code-Related Questions: Expect a response within 3 business days during business hours.

E-mail: BuildingPlanCheckInfo@oaklandca.gov

General Planning-Related Questions: Expect a response within 2 weeks.

E-mail: Permit Questions Portal
Phone: 510-238-3911

General Permit Status Questions: Expect a response within 2 weeks. You can check your permit status on our Online Permit Portal. If you have additional questions, please see contact information below.

E-mail: Permit Questions Portal
Phone: 510-238-3891

Inspection Counter/Code Enforcement Complaint Questions: Expect a response within 3 business days during business hours.

E-mail: inspectioncounter@oaklandca.gov
Phone: 510-238-3444 (Inspection Scheduling) OR 510-238-3381 (Code Enforcement)

Type of questions/issues addressed:

  • Permit scheduling and follow-up inquiries
  • Permit extensions
  • Code Enforcement complaints, photos, Property Owner Certifications etc.

Inspection Services Information: Expect a response within 24 hours during business hours.

E-mail: inspectioninfo@oaklandca.gov

Type of questions/issues addressed:

  • Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing (MEP) Code-related questions
  • Building code questions and clarifications relating to inspections
  • Inspection-related questions for projects with issued permits
  • What needs to be inspected
  • Inspection scheduling problems (permit Inspectors are unable to schedule inspections)

  • Permit inspection procedures, including what needs to take place during Shelter-in-Place

  • Extra inspection or Overtime Inspection requests
  • Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCOs)
  • Complaints about permit inspections
  • Cannabis inspections

Fee Payment Questions: Expect a response within 3 business days during business hours.

Phone: 510-238-4774

Records Requests: To make an online records request, visit: https://oaklandca.nextrequest.com. For more information, please contact recordsinfo@oaklandca.gov

Technical Questions Permit Wizard/Online Permit Process, General ACA Portal Questions: Expect a response within 3 business days during business hours.

E-mail: accelauserrequest@oaklandca.gov


Public Works and Department of Transportation (OakDOT)

For Public Works/OakDOT permit-related questions, please contact 510-238-3651 or pwa_inspections@oaklandca.gov


Fire Department

For billing and invoice questions, please contact the Finance Department at 510-238-2252 or FPBilling@OaklandCA.gov

For Fire Inspection questions, please contact the Fire Department at 510-238-3851 or FPBReceptionist@OaklandCA.gov