City of Oakland California

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.

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

Special Activity Permits
Office of the City Administrator
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 11th 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:  May 29, July 4, September 4, November 23 & 24, December 25

The City of Oakland has released the Medical Cannabis Permit Application for cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, transporters, testing laboratories and delivery-only dispensaries.

To view the application, instructions for completing the permit process, supporting documents, staff reports, Equity Analysis and link to the ordinances, please click here for the new the Medical Cannabis Permit Application web page.  

1 Frank H.Ogawa Plaza
11th Floor
Oakland, CA  94612
Fax:  (510) 238-7084

Contact:  Jackqueline Medina- 510-777-8527
              jmedina@oaklandnet.com

TAXI DRIVERS: Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 12:00 noon

Taxi applications can be found at:  Taxi Cab Applications  Once you have completed your application, print out your confirmation number and have your Fleet Manager sign the "Approval" form.  Then, you may come in to the office with all required documents, and all new drivers will then be assigned to the next available class and be given your Live Scan forms to be taken to the OPD for processing.

NEW DRIVER PERMIT CLASSES FOR 2017:  April 21, May 19, June 23, July 21, August 18, September 22, October 20, November 17 and December 8

Classes are held at 12:30-4:00pm in Classroom 2 located on the 2nd Floor of 150 Frank H. Ogawa (Lionel Wilson Building).

FLEET MANAGERS: Office Hours - Monday - Thursday 2:00 - 4:30pm
Taxi Cab Inspections are scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 12:00pm, 12:45pm, 1:30pm and 2:15pm.  To reserve your space, you must come in with your original Brake & Lamp Certificate and Meter Certificate, and a copy of your DMV registration.  Annual renewal fee is $350.00. 

For change of vehichle, you must also bring in proof of insurance and a parking and traffic citation clearance on the vehicle  you are removing from your fleet.

For a list of taxi companies registered with the City of Oakland, click here.

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 Jorge Cabral: jcabral@oaklandnet.com