City of Oakland California

The Special Activity Permits Division will be moving to their new location on the 1st floor in City Hall (closest to the 14th Street entrance) on Monday, February 5th.  We will be closed for business on this day only.

The City requires advance permits for many special activities, events and filming in Oakland to help ensure the safety of event participants and minimize the impact on our neighborhoods.  Obtaining a permit is easy!

Find your event type below, and then follow the links or call the agency indicated.

Please click here for the Cannabis Permit Application web page which includes access to the application, instructions for completing the permit process, resource materials, etc.

Activities include carnivals, bingo games, bingo hall, bowling alley, cabarets, carnival, charitable solicitations, dance hall, dog kennel, electronic/mechanical games, massage therapists and establishments, medical cannabis, pet shop, pool room, secondhand/pawn shop, sound amplification equipment, taxicab driver and fleet management permits.

• Bingo Hall Operator
• Bingo Game Operator     
• Cabaret Renewal Update Application 2016
• Sound Permit - OMC 12.56
• Charitable Solicitation

Special Activity Permits
Office of the City Administrator
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 1st Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
fax: (510) 238-7084
 

Nancy Marcus - 510-238-3294  - nmarcus@oaklandnet.com

Please call or email Nancy Marcus for an application packet to be sent out for any of the above listed activities.    

City Offices will be closed:  February 12th, February 19th and May 28th, 2018

May 2, 2018 

Special events include dances, parades, concerts, or any events that are open to the public where 50 or more people will be in attendance. Special events include profit and non-profit events, and events that require street closures.

File your application with Special Event Unit of the Oakland Police Department at least 30 days prior to your event.

The Special Events Unit will review your application and assess the impact on public safety, traffic, and surrounding commercial or residential tenants. If public safety or traffic impacts are found, off-duty police officers will be assigned to monitor your event, and you will be assessed the additional cost.

You must provide proof of liability insurance for your proposed event, and if you are using sound amplification equipment a sound permit from the Special Activities unit of the City Administrator's Office may be required.

Special Events Unit
Oakland Police Department
Eastmont Precinct
2651 73rd Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605
phone: (510) 777-8525
fax: (510) 777-8979
Sergeant Andy McNeil: amcneil@oaklandnet.com
Officer Huy Nguyen: hnguyen3@oaklandnet.com