Forms & Handouts

General Permit & Submittal

General

• Building Permit Application(PDF, 615KB)
• Residential Permit Submittal Requirements
• Who May Prepare Plans?
• Responding to Plan Check Comments
• Appeal Hearing Application

Commercial

• Commercial Permit Submittal Requirements
• Fire Permit Application

Records Requests

• Permit History Request
• Public Records Request

Accessory Structures & Space (ADU)

• Detached Accessory Buildings
• Group U Division 1 Occupancies
• Residential Accessory Space Requirements

Other Common Permits & Forms

• Banner Application
• Special Event Permit

Construction Forms and Guides

• Bathroom Requirements - Residential (Currently under revision)
• Cleanwater Requirements for Construction Sites
• Guardrail & Handrail Requirements
• Kitchen Remodel Permit Requirements (Currently under revision)
• Statement of Special Inspections
• Unreasonable Hardship for Existing Buildings Application 

Code Interpretations & Flexibility

• Alternate Materials or Methods of Construction Request
• Code Upgrade Threshold 
• Exempt Buildings and Structures
• Per the Building Official & Code Interpretations

Energy & Electrical

• COA Residential Rehab Program
• Electric Vehicle EVSE Permit Checklist
• Residential Electrical Services Permit Requirements
• Electrification/Rebates
• Solar - Fire Safety Regulations
• Solar Installation and Interconnection Requirements for Eligible Renewable Generation (ERG)
• Temporary Electric Service Requirements

Demolition & Hazardous Materials

1. Is the structure constructed prior to 1942? 
   If yes, you'll need to apply for a Certificate of Approval from the Historical Advisory Board.
   
   
2. Apply for a demolition permit through the Bay Area Air District (BAAD), previously known as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Upon approval, BAAD will send you a letter providing you with a J#. This letter must be included in your application to the Permit Center when you apply for the demolition permit. The applicant must apply for a demolition and, if applicable, sewer abandonment permit.
   
   
3. Building Demolition - Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Application

Historical & Occupancy

• Applicability of the State Historical Building Code (SHBC)
• Certificate of Occupancy for Existing Buildings
• State Historical Building Code
• Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Requirements

Seismic Safety

• Foundations Minimum Requirements
• Residential Seismic Strengthening Plan

System & Appliance Replacement/Upgrade

• Air Conditioner Ductless Mini Split
• Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices
• Residential Electrical Services Permit Requirements
• Gas Line Drawing Sample
• Sewer Lateral Requirements
• Smoke and CO Alarm Requirements
• Water Heater Installation Requirements

• Accessory Building Regulations
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) FAQ & Application rev (PDF, 449KB)1/25/2023(PDF, 449KB)
• Affordable Housing Worksheet(PDF, 118KB)
• Alameda SB 330 Preliminary Application(PDF, 531KB)
• Appeal Application(PDF, 255KB)
• Archaeological Resources - Procedures for Inadvertent Discoveries
• Bicycle Parking Requirements(PDF, 415KB)
• City-Facility-Renaming-Application(PDF, 104KB)
• Deck Regulations
• Fence Regulations
• Food Truck Guidelines(PDF, 161KB)
• Lot Summary Table(PDF, 295KB)
• Planning Permit Submittal Checklist(PDF, 233KB) (Updated 1-10-23)
• Plot Plan Requirements 
• Preliminary Review - Planning
• Public Art Application for Developers(PDF, 81KB)
• Siding Replacement Guidelines
• Sign Permit Supplemental(PDF, 420KB)
• Temporary Sign Regulations(PDF, 394KB)
• Telecommunications Facilities Review Process(PDF, 113KB)
• Telecommunications Facilities Design Guidelines
• Tree Removal Regulations
• Use Permit Guidelines
• Use Permit Supplemental(PDF, 35KB)
• WELO Landscape Document Package(PDF, 792KB)
• Window Schedule(PDF, 318KB)
• Window Replacement(PDF, 681KB)
• Zoning Map(PDF, 9MB)

Guidelines

Please refer to these guidelines when considering a project in Alameda.

• Guide to Residential Design(PDF, 4MB)
• North Park Street Design Manual
• Webster Street Design Manual(PDF, 2MB)
• Window Replacement Design Guidelines(PDF, 1MB)

Business License Information

• Business License - Apply Online or download Application(PDF, 765KB)
•  
• If you are starting a new home office business located in Alameda you will need to complete a Home Occupation permit (link below) prior to filing for a business license.
• Home Occupation Application - Apply Online
•  
• If you are starting a new business located in Alameda you will need to complete a Zoning Clearance (linked below) prior to filing for a business license.
• Zoning Clearance for Businesses - Apply Online

        You may also print the forms to mail in or come by the Permit Center to apply. 

        Home Occupation Application(PDF, 242KB)

        Zoning Clearance Application(PDF, 230KB)

Vacant Building Monitoring Form FY 26

Public Works Permits