The City of Oakland Planning & Building Department issues building permits. Its One-Stop Permit Center is at 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612, with the greeter station on the 1st floor and the permit counters on the 2nd floor. Phone lines: main line (510) 238-3443, Building Counter (510) 238-3891 and Zoning Hotline (510) 238-3911.
This guide covers the City of Oakland. This guide covers the Planning & Building Department’s permit, fee and inspection rules; confirm hours and phone numbers before you visit.
Who handles permitting in Oakland?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Planning & Building main line | General permit questions | (510) 238-3443 |
| Building Counter | Building permits at the One-Stop Permit Center | (510) 238-3891 |
| Zoning Hotline | Zoning questions | (510) 238-3911 |
| Building inspections | Scheduling by phone | (510) 238-3444 |
| Oakland Transportation | Its own inspections | (510) 238-3651 |
| Fire Prevention Bureau | Its own inspections | (510) 238-3462 |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Walk-ins are taken Monday to Thursday 8:30AM to 12PM (last morning ticket at 11:30 am) and 12 to 4PM (no tickets after 3:15 pm), and appointments take priority over walk-ins. The cashier is open Monday to Friday 8:30AM to 4PM.
How to get a building permit in Oakland
The Online Permit Center (Accela, aca-prod.accela.com/OAKLAND) is open 24/7 and requires registration.
Documents must be submitted electronically; paper documents are not accepted.
Appointments take priority; walk-in tickets stop at 11:30 am in the morning session and 3:15 pm in the afternoon.
Fees follow the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule.
By phone or the Oakland Inspection Request app, at least one business day ahead.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the Planning & Building Department on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Oakland permit costs and fees
Oakland’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule took effect July 1, 2026. One- and two-family (R3) work is charged per $1,000 of construction valuation:
- R3 new construction: $10.60 per $1,000 for plan review and $8.00 per $1,000 for inspection (minimum value 335.81).
- R3 repairs, additions and alterations: $17.08 per $1,000 for plan review and $26.11 per $1,000 for inspection.
- Residential electrical inspection: $7.66 per $1,000; residential plumbing inspection: $4.79 per $1,000.
Flat fees include $402.97 per permit for a residential Level 2 (240V) EV charging outlet or station, $268.64 per permit for residential energy storage up to 80kW aggregate or 20kW single, and $1074.58 per permit for creek protection permit inspections.
3-R Report: the Report of Residential Record is given only to the owner, or someone with the owner’s authorization, with a recorded deed as proof of ownership. The price depends on when the building was built: $2119.30 for 1/1/2015 to present, $2876.19 for 1/1/1998 to 12/31/2014, and $3330.33 for 12/31/1997 or before.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Inspections in Oakland
Building inspections are booked by phone at (510) 238-3444 or through the Oakland Inspection Request app for iOS or Android, at least one business day ahead. Oakland does not do same-day inspections, including electrical meter disconnects and reconnects, and each permit is limited to 3 inspections per week. Transportation and the Fire Prevention Bureau schedule their own inspections and must be contacted directly.
Oakland local amendments
For the 2025 code cycle, Oakland has filed local amendment ordinances 13860 C.M.S. and 13861 C.M.S. with the California Building Standards Commission.
Official Oakland permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →- Oakland Planning & Building
- One-Stop Permit Center
- Online Permit Center (Accela)
- Schedule your building inspection
- Report of Residential Record (3-R)
- FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Can I get a same-day inspection in Oakland?
No. Inspections must be booked at least one business day ahead, and Oakland does not do same-day inspections, including meter disconnects and reconnects.
How many inspections can one Oakland permit have each week?
Each permit is limited to 3 inspections per week.
Who can order an Oakland 3-R Report?
Only the owner or someone with the owner’s authorization, with a recorded deed as proof of ownership.
Simplify Oakland permitting with Alliance Permitting
- Sort out which City counters, districts and outside agencies have to sign off before the building permit is issued
- Prepare the plans and forms in the file format the City’s portal or counter accepts
- Pay plan check and permit fees, answer corrections and book inspections before each cut-off
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Oakland sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Oakland permits while your crew stays on the job.
More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Oakland permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.