Apply for Detached ADU(s) with Pre-Approved Plans

You will need an Online Permit Center account to submit worksheets and relevant documents and access all your important paperwork in one location. With your account, you can:

• Research property and permit history
• Apply for Planning and Building permits
• Pay permit fees
• Check on the status of your permit(s)
• Print-issued permits
• Download Fire Inspection reports

Creating an account is very simple. Head to our Online Permit Center page and click "Register|Login". Please view our video tutorials if you need assistance setting up your account or step-by-step instructions for common processes and procedures used in the Planning & Building Department.

• First, confirm your zone by viewing our Zoning Map. It is important to know what zone you are in, what zoning is needed for the ADU you want to build and if there are special requirements for your zone.
  • Note that creek areas and high-fire areas within the S-9 Zone have extra requirements
  • Be sure to check for other possible requirements
• Review the Zoning Criteria Checklist on our single-family application or multi-family application to determine if you can construct one or more ADUs on your property. Please note that different separation distances from residences are required.
• The Planning Bureau will review your site to determine if a pre-approved ADU plan works for your location.
  • Pre-approved plans may not be an option in certain neighborhoods or districts of the city.
  • Contact the City of Oakland's Planning Bureau at (510) 238-3911 or through our Permit Questions Portal to see if a pre-approved ADU is compatible with your site.

• Prepare a site plan showing all existing structures, easements, utilities, and proposed locations. See our sample site plan(PDF, 762KB) and pre-approved plans for a studio ADU(PDF, 2MB), one-bedroom ADU(PDF, 2MB) or two-bedroom ADU(PDF, 2MB).
  • The Sample Site Plan is illustrative only and not intended to reflect all the site plan requirements from the application checklist for a specific project. Follow the checklist requirements for the site plan to address your project's circumstances.

• Complete all required information, checklists, documents and plans as outlined in the "Zoning Requirements, Step 1" section on the single-family application or multi-family application
• Submit a Zoning Worksheet through our Online Permit Center
• In the Worksheet, upload your completed ADU application, site plan, pre-approved plan (studio ADU(PDF, 2MB), one-bedroom ADU(PDF, 2MB) or two-bedroom ADU(PDF, 2MB)) and any other required documents
• A planner will review your submission
  • If you are missing information or something is incorrect, we will contact you
• Once you receive written approval from our team, you are ready to move on to the next major step, your Building Permit Application

• Ensure that all required information, checklist, documents and plans are accurate and complete as outlined in the "Building Requirements, Step 2" section on the single-family application or multi-family application
• Submit your Building Permit Application through our Online Permit Center
• Upload your completed ADU application, a signed hold harmless agreement(PDF, 122KB), your Title 24 Energy Documentation and associated plans and documents
  • Find a certified CA Building Energy Consultant
• Once all fees are paid, all information has been received and all issues have been resolved with your plans, your building permit will be issued for construction within 10 business days.
  • Separate school district developer fees may be owed before your permits are issued.
• You may log in to your account anytime to monitor your permit status. Watch our video on how to check your permit status

• 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

• Detached ADUs will need a sewer lateral permit to connect sewage service to the unit. For more information email DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov.
• Depending on whether the ADU appliances are vented appliances, you may also need a separate gas meter for the ADU.
• Refer to the City's General Building Code Requirements checklist to verify and log on to PG&E's online customer service portal to apply for new electric and/or gas service.

• Once we receive your application and have created it in our system, we will review your plans. If your plans require corrections or if we need further information, we will contact you.
• When both Zoning and Building requirements receive final approval, you will get an email to print your permit, inspection card, and plans. These need to be kept on the building site.
• Depending on our workload and the project's complexity, processing time may vary from when we receive a completed application to when we issue your permit. Please visit our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times page for details.

• You can now start building!
• Inspections can be attained throughout the building process. You can group them or ask to get them done individually. Ensure you keep your inspection card handy because the inspector needs to sign off on each inspection.
  • Our inspectors can review your progress within a day of calling or using the app to schedule an inspection. If an inspection is not approved, you can schedule another inspection as soon as the problem is resolved.
• Once you have completed your project, but before the final inspection, your final report about recycling needs to be submitted. Open Green Halo and use the "Add Tickets" button to upload receipts and report all items you recycled or disposed of in this project.
  • Once you have uploaded all Re-Use and Recycling and Disposal tickets to your Green Halo project, your recycling Summary Report is ready to be submitted to the City.
• Once all of your inspections are complete, your ADU is approved!
  • You will not receive an email about your final inspection unless there is a problem.
  • You will receive an official Certificate of Occupancy after the final inspection.
  • You are now ready to start enjoying your new ADU!