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Today, Mayor Barbara Lee announced breakthrough permitting reform to support Oakland's small businesses. This announcement represents a key milestone in the Mayor’s ambitious 10-point plan to tackle Oakland’s most pressing challenges within her first 100 days in office, where permitting reform was identified as a critical priority for economic growth and business development.
"The City should be a partner, not a roadblock, in getting your business or home renovation or development off the ground," said Mayor Barbara Lee. "Streamlining permitting is one of my top priorities because I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to navigate city processes as a resident of Oakland. I’m proud that in my First 100 Days, the City is making improvements to its systems to serve residents better and encourage more businesses to open up in Oakland."
Too often, small businesses find that processes and procedures are time-consuming or confusing to navigate. These permit reforms address these hardships directly. These new permit reforms will expand the range of “by-right” ground floor uses approvable without zoning administrator and planning commission review. Other reforms include making permits related to small businesses available for easy online digital submittal.
Major Reforms Being Implemented
Expanded "By Right" Development: Commercial activities in Downtown Oakland, Broadway Valdez, and Lake Merritt areas have been streamlined to make it easier to start businesses, with similar reforms planned for commercial districts citywide by Fall 2025.
Digital Transformation: Common permits can now be submitted online with a single application instead of multiple in-person submissions to various departments. Additional high-volume applications, including Zoning Clearances, Sign Design Review, and Entertainment Venue approvals, will go online before the end of 2025.
Same-Day Processing: A majority of building permits - including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing approvals for storefront improvements - can now be submitted online and processed immediately. Additional permits, such as Bollards and Minor Encroachment,s will be available for same-day issuance before year-end.
Enhanced In-Person Services: The One-Stop Permit Center at 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza now offers expanded hours (8:30 am - 4:00 pm daily) with most permitting agencies co-located and offering both walk-in and pre-scheduled appointment options.
Community-Driven Improvement Process:
The city's comprehensive 100-day permit reform study also achieved significant milestones:
- Community Engagement: Over 50 interviews with residents, homeowners, small business owners, and city staff
- Process Transparency: Cross-department workflows for 15 of Oakland's most common permits mapped and made available to the public
- Cross-Department Collaboration: Multiple departments working together with residents to break down silos and accelerate improvements
- Budget Investment: $3 million allocated for business permitting system upgrades
“This is about action, not bureaucracy. We’re streamlining systems, prioritizing community input, and delivering the kind of responsive government Oaklanders deserve.”
The initiative involves collaboration across multiple city departments, including the Office of the Mayor, City Administrator’s Office (CAO), Planning and Building Department (PBD), Department of Transportation (OakDot), Public Works (OPW)
Fire (OFD), Economic and Workforce Development (EWDD), Information Technology (ITD), Department of Race and Equity, with shared leadership from the City's Innovation Team, Robin Abad, Citywide Permitting Ombudsman, and Rose Rubel, Assistant to the City Administrator.
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