Zoning, Planning & Building Revisions to Your Permitted Project
During construction, projects may encounter a need to revise their approved project plans. In most cases*, the building inspector will identify the need for revisions and issue a correction notice with the steps that the project will need to undertake. Below are the different types of revisions and processes to submit revised plans for review and approval by Oakland's Planning & Building Department. Please note that BW and ZW records are not permits; they are temporary application numbers assigned by the permitting system in order to route applications accordingly.
Building Revisions
If your project has made changes to the structure that are not part of the approved plan set issued by the City of Oakland, please follow the process below:
Step One
Fill out the online Plan Check Revision form. After submitting the web form, you will receive a completed PDF copy by email.
Step Two
- If a Building Inspector referred you to a Plan Checker, please wait while your Plan Checker reviews your request.
- Otherwise, Submit a Building Worksheet (BW) through our Online Permit Center*
*Note: You must register or log in to our Oakland Online Permit portal to apply and submit your Building Worksheet.
Within the BW in the "Description of Work" box, type "Building Plan Check Revision" or "Revision to Project followed by your issued permit number i.e. RBC24001234":
- Write "Building Plan Check Revision" in the description field.
- Upload your completed Plan Check Revision form and all updated plans in the Documents section.
Need Help?
Watch our video: Create a Zoning or Building Worksheet for Your Permit
What's Next?
A City of Oakland Plan Check Engineer will email you with the next steps.
Planning/Zoning Revisions
If your project has made changes to the exterior design of the building other than those originally approved by Planning/Zoning, please follow the process below:
Step One
Apply for and submit a Zoning Worksheet (ZW) through our Online Permit Center*
* Note: You will be taken to our login/registration page before you can submit a Zoning Worksheet.
In the box:
- Write "Planning/Zoning Revision" in the description field.
- Upload your updated plans in the Documents section.
Need Help?
Watch our video: Create a Zoning or Building Worksheet for Your Permit
What's Next?
A Planning/Zoning staff member will contact you by email.
Building and Planning/Zoning Revisions
If your project has made significant changes to both exterior design elements and structural elements (or you have demolished more than 50% of the structure), follow these steps:
Step One
Fill out the online Plan Check Revision form. After submitting the web form, you will receive a completed PDF copy by email.
Step Two
Apply for and submit a Building Worksheet (BW) through our Online Permit Center*
*Note: You will be taken to our login/registration page before you can submit a Building Worksheet.
In the box:
- Write "Planning/Zoning and Building Plan Check Revision" in the description field.
- Upload your completed Plan Check Revision form and all updated plans in the Documents section.
Need Help?
Watch our video: Create a Zoning or Building Worksheet for Your Permit
What's Next?
A City of Oakland Process Coordinator will email you with further instructions.
Solar Plan Revisions (Minor/Major) Including SolarApp+ Projects
Minor Changes
If your solar project has minor changes (e.g., moving panels, changing the number of panels, or making changes to the electrical system), follow these steps:
- Do not submit revisions online.
- Schedule a Field Inspection and have the revisions on-site for the inspector to review.
- The inspector will update the permit description and upload the revisions to the system.
After approval, download your updated permit using the Oakland Online Permit Portal. If signatures are required, email the revised permit PDF to the inspector who completed the final inspection.
Major Changes
If your solar project has major changes, follow the process below based on the type of revision:
For Structural Changes
Step One
Fill out the online Plan Check Revision form. After submitting the form, you will receive a completed PDF copy by email.
Step Two
*Note: You will be taken to our login/registration page before you can submit a Building Worksheet.
In the box:
- Write "Building Plan Check Revision" in the description field.
- Upload your completed Plan Check Revision form and updated plans in the Documents section.
Need Help?
Watch our video: Create a Zoning or Building Worksheet for Your Permit
For Electrical Changes (e.g., new main service panel/ upgrade, or Batteries (ESS))
Apply for Electrical Permits by following the appropriate Residential or Commercial Project link(s) via our Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Permits webpage
Questions?
Please email us at Online Permit Portal Questions
For non-solar projects that have changes but no inspections yet, please follow the appropriate process for Building Only, Zoning Only, or combined Building and Zoning revisions.