Planning Division

For the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Permit Center will have adjusted hours:

11/26/25, Wednesday - CLOSED AT 12:00 PM
11/27/25, Thursday - CLOSED ALL DAY

The Planning Division is responsible for helping the City Council plan for Alameda's future growth and development. We review development proposals for compliance with the federal, state and local laws and policies. Planners also provide public assistance on obtaining planning approvals in the Permit Center and support the City's Planning Board and the Historical Advisory Board.

When do I need a planning permit?

Certificate of Approval
Required for changes to historically designated properties.
Design Review
For exterior changes to buildings, including materials or new construction.
Development Plan/Amendment
For large-scale or phased developments.
Home Occupation Permit
Required if you use your home address as a business.
Preliminary Review Application
An optional early feedback on a project before formal submittal.
Sign Permit
Required for new or modified signage.
Subdivision/Parcel Maps
For dividing or merging parcels of land.
Use Permit
For land uses that require special approval under zoning regulations.
Work Live Permit
Required for combining living space into commercial spaces.
Zoning Clearance
Confirms that a proposed land use complies with zoning regulations.
Zoning Letter/Compliance Determinations
For formal documentation of zoning status or compliance.

Apply through our permit portal in the "Planning" section or review our Forms and Handouts for additional guidance.

Permit Portal Forms and Handouts

Quick Links

Additional Resources

Need more assistance?

Contact Us

(510) 747-6805 and Planning@alamedaca.gov are the fastest ways to reach us.

Schedule an appointment with a planner

Book a 15-minute appointment to meet us via Zoom, by phone, or in-person. Please include:

In the request the address, project number, and details about your inquiry.
If you have a specific Planner working on your project you would like to meet with.
Staff will send you a follow up e-mail containing the Zoom meeting invitation.
If you'd like to meet via Zoom, Phone, or In-Person. ***

Book an appointment

or scan the QR code

*** Please note that in person meetings will be held by available Planner in the office at the time. Upon entering the Permit Center for your appointment, please sign-in at the Pad Kiosk for Planning. A Planner will be notified of your arrival and call your name at the Permit Center counter.

WALK-IN VISITS:

Walk-in visitors accepted at the Permit Center, but visitors with appointments will be given first priority. All visitors must check-in 15 minutes before closing and breaks.

Home Occupation & Zoning Clearance

Home Occupation Permit

If you own a business and your home address is used as a business address, you will need a Home Occupation Permit such as a home office, a service provider, or the selling of goods manufactured by hand or grown on the premises, and cottage food operations.

The Home Occupation Permit is a one-time approval that is good for as long as your business stays the same and in the same location. You will need the Home Occupation Permit to be approved by the Planning Division before applying for your business tax certificate/license.

Zoning Clearance

Zoning Clearance is an application for the City to check the location of a new business to verify that it meets the requirements of the Zoning Code and your business can operate at your chosen location:

Zoning clearance is required for commercial spaces.
The Zoning Clearance is a one-time approval that is good for as long as your business stays the same and in the same location.

You must get your Zoning Clearance permit before applying for your business tax certificate.
In some cases, your proposed business may need to go through a Use Permit process before you get a Zoning Clearance.

How to apply

Apply online, create an account (optional) to easily save your changes.
After receiving an email notification that your application has been approved, Look up your permit receipt with your application number (example: PLNXX-XXXX).
Print and download the receipt. (The receipt showing an “Approved” status is your Permit.)
Include a copy of the Home Occupation Permit with your Business License Application at the City’s Finance Department.*

*As of January 1, 2020, all small and large family daycare homes no longer require a business license or home occupation registration. For more information, see Cal. Health & Safety Code section 1597.42, The Keeping Kids Close to Home Act (Senate Bill (SB) 234).

Key Documents

General Plan

Adopted Housing Element 2023-2031(PDF, 10MB)

On November 15, 2022, the Alameda City Council adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element. This Housing Element would not have been possible without the input, help, and suggestions from a wide variety of Alameda citizens, interest groups, and advocates who participated in the public process (over 25 public meetings) of creating this Housing Element over the last three years. The Housing Element is now under review and pending certification by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

General Plan 2040

On November 30, 2021, the City Council adopted the new Alameda 2040 General Plan.State law requires the City to maintain a General Plan that is an “integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the adopting agency.”(Gov.Code, § 65300.5.) To be an effective, internally consistent set of policies to guide decision-making, a General Plan must be up to date and address current planning issues and challenges facing the community. General Plan 2040 is the product of an extensive and inclusive community process to craft policies, goals, and proposed actions necessary to address major issues facing the community over the next 20 years. The result of the work is a comprehensive, internally consistent, and forward-thinking blueprint for meeting the community’s long-term vision for the future.