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.

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

Jasmine Chan - 510-238-6914 - jchan@oaklandnet.com 

MASSAGE THERAPISTS / ESTABLISHMENTS

        MASSAGE THERAPIST APPLICATION and PROCEDURES

       MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT APPLICATION and PROCEDURES

SECONDHAND DEALER/PAWN BROKER

       SECONDHAND DEALER/PAWN BROKER APPLICATION and PROCEDURES

       DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - SECONDHAND DEALER/PAWN BROKER HANDBOOK

       DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - JUS123 FORM

 Visit the First Friday website at www.oaklandfirstfridays.org for information about the event and how to participate as a vendor.

• A “Food Vending Group Site” is defined as the stationary operation of three (3) or more “mobile food vendors” clustered together on a single private property site, public property site, or within a specific section of public right-of-way.
• A “Mobile Food Vendor” refers to a person who is engaged in the sale of prepared foods from a truck, trailer, or other movable wheeled equipment or vehicle during hours of operation.

 PERMITTED MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES IN OAKLAND

MEDICAL CANNABIS UPDATE 8/29/2012:

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

Contact:  Jasmine Chan - 510-777-8527
              jchan@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 CLASS:  September 25, October 17, November 14 and December 11, 2013

FLEET MANAGERS: Office Hours - Monday - Thursday 2:00 - 4:30pm
 

Fleet Manager Packets are now available.  Fleet Manager Packets are due on November 15th of each year along with all necessary documents.  Incomplete packets will not be accepted.  Use the Fleet Manager Check Off List to make sure your packet is complete

Taxi Cab Inspections are scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 12:00, 12:45, 1:30 and 2:15.  To reserve your space, you must come in with your Brake & Lamp Certificate, Meter Certificate, and DMV registration.  Annual renewal fee is $350.00. 

For change of vehichle, you must also bring in proof of insurance and a parking  & traffic citation clearance.

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

To find out when a Yellow Cab temporary permit will expire, click here.

11 (Eleven) of the City's 315 authorized  taxi vehicle permits are currently held by the City Administrator's office, which will be accepting applications for those permits between October 11, 2011 and November 8, 2011.

Click here for application process.

• RFPA (Request For Permit Application)
• Exhibit A - Applications
• Exhibit B - Live Scan Form
• Exhibit C - Council Policies
• Exhibit D - Taxi Inspection Check List
• Exhibit E - Oakland Municipal Code
• Fees

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 Pete Espinoza: pespinoza@oaklandnet.com
Officer Jorge Cabral: jcabral@oaklandnet.com