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
• 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 Guidelines
• 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

Vacant Building Monitoring Form FY 26

Public Works Permits