Oakland ADU permit requirements

The City's official ADU application, including the signed Step 1 Zoning Criteria Checklist and Step 2 Building Criteria Checklist. Submitted via a Zoning Worksheet through the Online Permit Center.

Color photos of the subject property and neighboring properties, required for all ADUs/JADUs in the Step 1 (zoning) submittal.

An approved WRRP (submitted/paid via Green Halo) is required before any Oakland building permit is issued, covering debris generated by the project.

Building cross-sections through the area of work showing ceiling heights, fire/sound-rated assemblies, and insulation type/R-value. Part of the Step 2 building plan set.

Dimensioned floor plans of all floors showing rooms, doors/windows, egress windows, and major equipment locations (water heater, HVAC, electrical panels, plumbing fixtures); fire/sound-rated walls clearly indicated.

Two scaled site plans labeled 'Existing' and 'Proposed' showing property boundaries, setbacks, all structures, driveways/parking, fences/retaining walls, trees, drainage, roof plan, and recycling-container storage. The building-permit set must show proposed new utility meter locations.

California Title 24 energy compliance documentation (CF1R forms) printed on the plans for all areas to become conditioned space.

Survey by a licensed land surveyor or qualifying civil engineer. Required if a footprint is within 3 ft of a property line (zoning) or appears within 10 ft (building), or on lots with slope ≥ 20%. Must be under 3 years old and wet-stamped.

Completed CALGreen checklist; required for new residential construction and for additions/alterations that increase conditioned area, volume, or size (Title 24 Part 11 §301.1.1).

Plan labeling rooms and showing items to be demolished (dashed) vs. structure to remain. Required when the project involves demolition; removing more than 50% of a building triggers new-building treatment (Code Bulletin D-18-001).

Required if the proposal involves substantial rehabilitation of the primary residential facility; obtained from EBMUD to confirm hydrant flow/pressure.

Front, side, and rear elevations of all affected structures, identifying exterior materials and building height and distinguishing existing vs. new. Required for new construction, additions, or exterior alterations.

Foundation plan (if the foundation is replaced, altered, or carries new loading) and framing plans for each floor and roof showing member size, direction, and spacing. Part of the Step 2 building plan set.

For a JADU, a notarized recorded deed restriction (prohibiting separate sale, requiring owner occupancy) plus property-tax evidence of owner occupancy. The ADU application also references a deed restriction restricting separate sale of the ADU.

Detached ADUs need a sewer lateral permit to connect sewage service. If construction valuation exceeds $100K, an EBMUD Regional Private Sewer Lateral (PSL) Compliance Certificate is also required.

Structural calculations plus referenced structural details and sections; required for non-conventionally framed construction.