Oakland building permits
Building permits in Oakland are issued by the City of Oakland Planning & Building Department, Bureau of Building1. You can apply and request inspections online through aca-prod.accela.com2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Oakland
- Oakland building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Oakland
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Oakland
- Building without a permit in Oakland
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- California rules that also apply in Oakland
- Sources
Building department contacts
City of Oakland Planning & Building Department, Bureau of Building1
Building permits
- Website
- oaklandca.gov1
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com2
- Phone
- (510) 238-38913
- [email protected]2
- Address
- 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612 (1st floor lobby, 2nd floor permit counters)2
- Hours
- Walk-ins and in-person appointments Mon-Thu 8:30 AM-12 PM and 12-4 PM; virtual appointments Mon-Thu 12-4 PM, Fri 9 AM-4 PM2
- Inspections
- Online (Accela Citizen Access account required), mobile app, or phone (510) 238-34444
City of Oakland Planning & Building Department, Planning Bureau (Planning/Zoning)5
Zoning and planning
- Phone
- (510) 238-39113
Oakland Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau2
Fire marshal
- Phone
- (510) 238-34622
- [email protected]4
City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)2
Public works and right-of-way
- Phone
- (510) 238-31992
- Inspections
- [email protected] / (510) 238-38604
City of Oakland Planning & Building Department, Code Enforcement Division1
Code enforcement
- Phone
- (510) 238-33811
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: aca-prod.accela.com6.
Building codes in force in Oakland
These are the model codes Oakland enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see California building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) with Oakland amendments, OMC ch. 15.047 | 7 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) with Oakland amendments, OMC ch. 15.047 | 7 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2025 California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3) with Oakland amendments, OMC ch. 15.047 | 7 |
| Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) | 2025 California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) with Oakland amendments, OMC ch. 15.047 | 7 |
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | 2025 California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) with Oakland amendments, OMC ch. 15.047 | 7 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2025 California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10) with Oakland amendments, OMC ch. 15.047 | 7 |
| Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) | 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7) with Oakland amendments, OMC ch. 15.047 | 7 |
Adopted by: Oakland City Council, Ordinance No. 13861 C.M.S. (passed September 15, 2025)8.
Transition rules. 2022-code applications accepted if a complete Building Worksheet was submitted by December 5, 2025 and the permit paid by December 31, 20259.
Oakland building permit fees
Fees come from the City of Oakland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule (Planning & Building Department section)10, effective 10.
How valuation is set. Per $1,000 of construction valuation (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical plan review and inspection)10.
Each line is worded as in Oakland’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Permit application fee: Filing and Routing (Intake), all record types | Flat fee | a. · Filing and Routing (Intake) · 201.49 Per Permit10 |
| Permit application fee: Online submission | Flat fee | b. Online submission · 134.32 Per Permit10 |
| SolarApp+ Filing Fee | Flat fee | c. SolarApp+ Filing Fee · 21.49 Per Permit10 |
| Rapid Permit Filing Fee | Flat fee | d. Rapid Permit Filing Fee · 67.16 Per Permit10 |
| Zoning Sign-Off | Flat fee | 4. · Zoning Sign-Off · 134.32 Sign-Off10 |
| Records Management & Technology Enhancement Fee | Technology surcharge | F. · RECORDS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT FEE · 12.70% All Fees10 |
| General Plan Surcharge: Building Permit | – | a. · Building Permit · 7.20%10 |
| Residential Building - Repairs/Additions/Alterations - R3 - Plan Review | Based on project valuation | 3. Residential Building - Repairs/Additions/Alterations - R3 - Plan Review · 17.0810 |
| Residential Building - Repairs/Additions/Alterations - R3 - Inspection | Based on project valuation | 4. Residential Building - Repairs/Additions/Alterations - R3 - Inspection · 26.1110 |
| Residential Building - New Construction - R3 - Plan Review | Based on project valuation | 1. Residential Building - New Construction - R3 - Plan Review · 10.6010 |
| Residential Building - New Construction - R3 - Inspection | Based on project valuation | 2. Residential Building - New Construction - R3 - Inspection · 8.0010 |
| Residential - Electrical - R3 - Inspection | Based on project valuation | 5. Residential - Electrical - R3 - Inspection · 7.6610 |
| Residential - Plumbing - R3 - Inspection | Based on project valuation | 6. Residential - Plumbing - R3 - Inspection · 4.7910 |
| Residential - Mechanical - R3 - Inspection | Based on project valuation | 7. Residential - Mechanical - R3 - Inspection · 4.3610 |
| Solar Electric - Residential | Flat fee | 1. · Residential · 450.00 Inspection10 |
| Water Heater (Gas or Electric) and/or Storage Tank | Per fixture or item | 4. · Water Heater (Gas or Electric) and/or Storage Tank · 201.48 Each10 |
| Swimming Pool (Complete) - plumbing inspection item | Per fixture or item | 8. · Swimming Pool (Complete) · 940.26 Each10 |
| Demolition/Removal of Buildings, Structures, Pools - Basic | Flat fee | 1. · Basic · 805.93 Per Permit10 |
| Window replacement/retrofit | Based on project valuation | 1. · Windows (Per $1,000 valuation) · 10.36 Per $1,000 of construction10 |
| Extension or Reinstatement of permit | Flat fee | 1. Extension or Reinstatement · 134.32 Per Permit10 |
How to get a building permit in Oakland
- Look up the property's zoning and confirm the project is allowed5
- Obtain Planning approval (if required)5
- Obtain a Building Permit5
- Schedule required inspections during construction5
- Apply online
- Yes2
- Over-the-counter permits
- Same-Day Digital Permits (issued automatically on fee payment) for simple work without structural changes: pre-1978 painting, MEP (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), solar panels11
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Invalid if work not started within 180 days of issuance or suspended/abandoned 180 days; work without an approved major inspection within 180 days is deemed suspended; permits expire 720 days from issuance7
- Extensions
- Building Official may grant one or more written extensions of up to 180 days each, on payment of the Master Fee Schedule fee, for justifiable cause7
Inspections in Oakland
The inspection Oakland’s published material names. Do not cover work until it has passed (how inspections work).
- Building inspections scheduled by the permit holder (foundation, slab/under-floor, frame and final are 'Major Inspections')7
- How to schedule
- Permit holder schedules at least one business day ahead; up to 3 inspections per week per permit; no same-day inspections4
- Re-inspection fee
- K. | EXTRA INSPECTIONS | 335.81 Per Inspection10
- After the final inspection
- Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) issued only for new (ground-up) projects, new units or a change of occupancy; additions, remodels, alterations and tenant improvements are not issued a TCO12
Building without a permit in Oakland
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee Oakland Master Fee Schedule FY2026-27; OMC ch. 15.04 | Work commenced without a permit (Oakland Building Code, Sign Code, Window Bar Ordinance)10 | Double all fees10 | Register on the online portal and apply for the permit, noting 'Stop Work Order Issued'13 |
| Higher permit fee Oakland Master Fee Schedule FY2026-27 | Work commenced and completed prior to inspection10 | Quadruple all fees10 | – |
| Investigation fee Oakland Master Fee Schedule FY2026-27 | Work commenced without a permit10 | $402.97 per inspection10 | – |
| Higher permit fee Oakland Master Fee Schedule FY2026-27 | Demolition without a permit10 | 10X all fees10 | – |
| Stop-work order Oakland Master Fee Schedule FY2026-27 | Stop Work / Activity Order issued during regular working hours10 | $1,343.22 each (regular hours)10 | Permitted work: submit a revision Building Worksheet noting 'Revision-Stop Work'14 |
| Criminal penalty OMC § 15.04.1.185.H; OMC § 1.28.010 (Ord. 13861 C.M.S.) | Violations of the Oakland building code (OMC ch. 15.04)7 | Maximum fines and county-jail sentence prescribed by law7 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes15
California's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the California permit guide.
California rules that also apply in Oakland
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in California
- Contractor licensing in California
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in California
- Private plan review and inspections in California
Sources
- Building Bureau | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, Bureau of BuildingChecked November 7, 2026
- One-Stop Permit Center: In-Person & Online Services | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Planning & Building | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Schedule Your Building Inspection | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, Bureau of BuildingChecked November 7, 2026
- Permit Process Overview | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Planning & Building Records Requests | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, Records UnitChecked November 7, 2026
- Emergency Ordinance: Local Amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Model Building Construction Codes…City of Oakland, City Council (Legistar file 26-0024)Adopted September 15, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Legistar file 26-0024: Local Amendments To 2025 California Model Building Construction CodesCity of Oakland, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar)Adopted September 15, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- New Building Codes Take Effect Jan 1, 2026 | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentPublished October 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee ScheduleCity of Oakland (Master Fee Schedule, Planning & Building Department section)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Rapid "Same-Day" Permits | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Building Permits | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Stop Work Notice (brochure SWO-6.22.23)City of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, Bureau of BuildingRevised June 22, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Stop Work Order Procedures | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, Bureau of BuildingChecked November 7, 2026
- Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026