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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Oakland, California

Oakland defines the unit and then splits it into named categories: 'An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small, self-contained home on the same property as a Single-Family or Multi-Family residence.' and it must include 'everything needed for independent living, like a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.'

Verified 2026-09-11 · Source

When you need this permit

  • A JADU is bounded by size AND occupancy: 'Junior ADU (JADU) - Converts existing space inside your home (like a bedroom or garage) into a small unit (500 sq. ft. max). Requires the owner to live on the property.'
  • 'Category One ADU - Converts or rebuilds an existing space (like a garage or basement). No expansions are allowed, except for a small entrance (up to 150 sq. ft.).'
  • 'Category Two ADU - Builds a new attached or detached structure on the property.'
  • LETTING IS RESTRICTED BY DURATION AND NEEDS A LICENCE: in Oakland ADUs 'may be rented for long-term stays only (30 days or longer) with a Business License'.
  • The MEP work belongs in the combination permit for an ADU - see the Residential Building Combination Permit.

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit feesOakland's MEP and homeowner permit pages set out requirements and exemptions rather than dollar figures. An optional Plan Review carries 'an extra cost' which is not quantified on the page.
NOT PUBLISHED on the pages read

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit permit actually take in Oakland?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Inspection

    Through Planning & Building after permit issuance.

Tips

  • OAKLAND HAS AN ADU AMNESTY PROGRAMME, WHICH IS UNUSUAL. For a unit built without permits it offers amnesty from Planning Code violations and a 'Delay in enforcement action for unpermitted ADUs like fines, penalties, and orders to remove, modify, or alter your ADU, giving you an opportunity to address code violations'.
  • THE THREE CATEGORIES ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE - a JADU caps at 500 sq ft AND requires owner occupancy; a Category One conversion allows no expansion beyond a 150 sq ft entrance; only Category Two builds new.
  • SHORT-TERM LETTING IS OUT. Oakland permits long-term stays only, 30 days or longer, and a Business License is required.

Frequently asked questions

Oakland requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: A JADU is bounded by size AND occupancy: 'Junior ADU (JADU) - Converts existing space inside your home (like a bedroom or garage) into a small unit (500 sq. ft. max). Requires the owner to live on the property.'; 'Category One ADU - Converts or rebuilds an existing space (like a garage or basement). No expansions are allowed, except for a small entrance (up to 150 sq. ft.).'; 'Category Two ADU - Builds a new attached or detached structure on the property.'; LETTING IS RESTRICTED BY DURATION AND NEEDS A LICENCE: in Oakland ADUs 'may be rented for long-term stays only (30 days or longer) with a Business License'.; The MEP work belongs in the combination permit for an ADU - see the Residential Building Combination Permit.. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Oakland - Planning & Building Department at (510) 238-3891 before starting work.

In Oakland, the published Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit fees is: NOT PUBLISHED on the pages read. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Oakland does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Oakland - Planning & Building Department at (510) 238-3891 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Application via the Online Permit Center. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Oakland requires 1 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Inspection. Schedule each through City of Oakland - Planning & Building Department ((510) 238-3891).

Apply through City of Oakland - Planning & Building Department. Phone: (510) 238-3891. Office hours: NOT ASSERTED. Oakland runs a One-Stop Permit Center described as a collaboration between Fire, Planning & Building and the Department of Transportation, with digital services through the Online Permit Center; specific counter hours and address are not stated here. The Building Counter number is (510) 238-3891, which the City also gives for 'general questions about Building permit applications or processing issues'.. Official information: https://www.oaklandca.gov/My-Household/Building-and-Remodeling/Homeowner-Projects-Permits.

Oakland, California has adopted: California Building Standards Code as adopted locally, together with Oakland Municipal Code Titles 15 and 17. NO EDITION YEAR IS ASSERTED HERE: the only edition figure available came from a web search summary rather than from a City page, and a search summary is not a source.. Local amendments apply — see the Oakland overview page for the full list.

Oakland runs an amnesty route. It offers 'Amnesty from violations of Planning Code standards', a delay in enforcement action, and 'A process to legalize your unpermitted ADU pursuant to CA state law AB 2533'.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Oakland building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Oakland's permit history isn't searchable here yet

This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Oakland yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

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Other permits in Oakland

Residential Building Combination Permit (RBC)Electrical PermitPlumbing PermitMechanical Permit

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in other cities

Fresno, CaliforniaLong Beach, CaliforniaSacramento, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Jose, CaliforniaAult, ColoradoBennett, ColoradoBerthoud, Colorado

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