Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP) - Draft Zoning Amendments

The DOSP has undergone extensive public feedback and is now ready for consideration by the Oakland Planning Commission and City Council. The Final Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP) was published in March 2024. The Final Draft Planning Code Amendment and the Final Draft General Plan Amendments, which help implement the DOSP, are now available for public review (see links below). These proposed changes will update the City's Zoning Map, Planning Code and General Plan to help advance DOSP goals. They allow for increased building density in downtown to help meet housing, employment, and environmental goals provide more flexibility in the types of businesses and other activities allowed on the ground floor of buildings in order to encourage a thriving and culturally vibrant downtown. They also incentivize developers to provide community benefits such as affordable housing and space for small business, public restrooms, and job training. The Final Draft Zoning and General Plan Amendments and Final Draft Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) will accompany the Final Draft DOSP to City Council for adoption and certification.

See below:

The following in-person public hearings are scheduled for the DOSP:

• The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (LPAB) will conduct a public meeting on the DOSP and Zoning Amendments, in person, on Monday, May 6th at 6:00 p.m. at Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland CA, 94612.   

   

• The Oakland Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a recommendation that the City Council adopt the DOSP, in person, on Wednesday, May 15th at 3:00 p.m. at Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland CA, 94612.   

   

• The Oakland Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a recommendation that the City Council adopt Planning Code and General Plan Amendments, and to further consider a recommendation that the City Council certify the Final EIR for the DOSP, in person, on Wednesday, June 5th at 3:00 p.m. at Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland CA, 94612.  

Members of the public are invited to attend the hearings to share their thoughts on the proposals with decision-makers. 

The Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP) has been developed in multiple publicly reviewed iterations over the past several years, including having been revised in response to the public comments received in late 2019 and to address COVID-19 recovery. The DOSP will be brought to City Council for adoption in 2024. This Plan provides policy guidance on development, linking land use, transportation, economic development, housing, public spaces, cultural belonging, and social equity in Downtown Oakland.  The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) will be published at the end of April. 2024. Adoption of the proposed Zoning and General Plan Amendments, in tandem with the Plan, is one of the first steps in implementing these policies.

From 2019 to 2023, the City of Oakland held a series of virtual public meetings to solicit feedback on draft zoning amendments (see past meetings below). This input has helped shape the Final Draft Zoning and General Plan Amendments. Three public hearings have been scheduled regarding adoption of the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP) & certification of the DOSP Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and adoption the final amendments to the Zoning Map, Planning Code and General Plan to implement the DOSP.

Click here to get information about past DOSP Meetings.

Watch these videos to learn more about the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan, the proposed changes to make downtown more livable, and about zoning in general.

Watch these videos to learn more about the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan, the proposed changes to make downtown more livable, and about zoning in general.

What is the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan?: View this video in Chinese or Spanish:

• 何謂屋崙（奧克蘭）市中心專屬計劃？
• ¿Qué es el Plan específico de Downtown Oakland?

Zoning Changes for a More Livable Downtown: View this video in Chinese or Spanish:

• 變更區域劃分以營造更加宜居的屋崙（奧克蘭）市中心
• Cambios de Zonificación para Mejorar la Vida en el Downtown de Oakland

What is Zoning?: View this video in Chinese or Spanish:

• 何謂區域劃分？
• ¿Qué es la Zonificación?