Access land use and building permit services remotely during shelter in place

While City offices are closed, and most construction sites in Berkeley have halted work, the Berkeley Planning & Development Department has created new ways to keep regular business moving forward. 

The City of Berkeley Health Officer has ordered that Berkeley residents remain at home, except for essential activities, through at least May 3.

During this period, all City offices are closed to the public, including the Permit Service Center. Online permit center services remain fully operational.

Land Use Applications

We have created new methods to continue work on new and continuing Land Use applications, including administrative use permits, use permits, design review, and landmarks submittals.

From home, you can now:

• apply for Zoning Certificates and short-term rental registrations
• apply for new Land Use entitlements
• contact your case planner to keep working on a previously submitted application
• pay fees with credit cards via telephone
• submit an appeal to a Land Use decision made by staff, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, or the Zoning Adjustments Board
• ask general land use planning questions

Please see specific instructions on the City's website for accessing Land Use services while City offices are closed.

Building Permits

We have set up ways to work on new and continuing building permit applications remotely while City offices are closed.

From home, you can now:

• apply for new building permits
• submit revisions to previous plans
• pay fees with credit cards via telephone
• ask general construction and permitting questions

See step-by-step instructions on the City's website for accessing building and safety services while City offices are closed.

Construction & Inspections

The shelter in place order halts most construction in Berkeley, with minimal exceptions allowed for:

• healthcare facilities directly related to COVID-19 response shelters and temporary housing
• affordable housing projects with at least 10% affordable units on-site
• projects that provide critical services to vulnerable individuals
• public works projects deemed essential by the City
• repairs to homes or businesses with are immediately necessary to ensure safety and habitability

For non-essential construction projects already in progress, employees may work to secure the site and protect it from damage, to the minimum extent necessary.

See the City website for more information on what construction is allowed and how to request an inspection. 

Visit cityofberkeley.info/covid19 for additional information on COVID-19, recommendations from Berkeley Public Health, and information on other changes to City services.