"If you've ever done any home improvement in Oakland - or hired someone to do it for you - then you know what a slog getting the right permits has been. Between going downtown, waiting in lines, and filling out paperwork by hand, obtaining even simple permits could eat up half a day. At least, that's how it used to be."
"With new same-day digital permits, homeowners, architects and tradespeople can apply for, pay for and print permits online for a range of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, solar, reroofing and other non-structural building work that doesn't require plan check. The whole process now takes just 18 minutes on average, according to the city. "Like many cities in the region, we've been focusing on easy online options and providing them as alternatives to conducting business in person," said Robin Abad, citywide ombuds and head of the city's permitting reform strategy under Mayor Barbara Lee."
Online permitting in Oakland now enables same-day digital permits for many non-structural trade projects, dramatically reducing time and in-person visits. Online permits cover mechanical, electrical, plumbing, solar, reroofing and other work that does not require plan checks. The digital application, payment and printing process averages 18 minutes. Same-day issuance reached 88% in the first fiscal year of the program and 90% in the most recent fiscal year. The program began during the pandemic with slower response times, and improvements aimed to increase efficiency, transparency and convenience for homeowners, architects and tradespeople.
Read at The Oaklandside
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