Research Zoning Permits and Zone Designations

Access three databases to find current or historical information on buildings and parcels. Use Permits Online for the most comprehensive and current data, or supplement your research with interactive maps from Building Eye. Discover what zone a property is in and find related information in the Community GIS Portal.

Permits Online 

Get involved in current or upcoming zoning projects by visiting Permits Online and click on the Zoning tab to search by address or project number. This is the main tool to use for researching development permits that allow for public input. It has the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on ongoing projects, as well as the history of past ones. View the Record Info tab for project status and all of the documentation or attachments on file.  

Visit Permits Online 

Look up Zoning Permits in open appeal period

When a decision is issued on a discretionary zoning project, such as Administrative Use Permits (AUP) and Use Permit, there is an appeal period, per Berkeley Municipal Code 23.410 Appeals and Certifications. You can look up which zoning projects are currently in the appeal period, meaning the decision may be appealed to either the Zoning Adjustments Board for AUPs, or to the City Council for Use Permits and Variances.  

The report provides the zoning permit number, project address and description, status and dates of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination and project decision, and the start and end date of the appeal period. You can find additional information, including project documents and notices of decision, by searching the Zoning tab of online permits by project number or address, then: 

1. Under the Zoning tab at Permits Online, select “Reports” from the top of the page.  
2. Select “Zoning Permits – Open Appeal Period”  
3. If the report does not open, it should be in your Downloads folder. 

Please see Filing an Appeal on a Zoning or Land Use Decision for more information on appealing a project.   

Building Eye 

Browse an interactive map of planning permits using Berkeley’s Building Eye. Search by address to find information about zoning and building permit applications for that property. Building Eye will show you basic information, such as permit number, type, and status. Click through to Permits Online for more detailed information. Sign up for notifications and alerts for planning permits you may be monitoring.  

Visit Building Eye 

Community GIS Portal (Zoning Lookup) 

Visit the Community GIS Portal to find what zoning district or fire zone your property is in. Search parcel conditions in an interactive map that displays the address and zoning for adjacent parcels. 

To access these features, please read and accept the disclaimer on the Search page. At any time, click on the All Layers icon to reveal all information “layers” available to you. Search for an address and once you reach the Property Summary page for a subject property, you can click on a wealth of data, including:  

• Planning and Building Layer - to view zoning, historic resource designations, fire district, and other parcel information.  
• Environment Layer - to view seismic information and the applicability of the creek ordinance to the subject property 
• Community Services Layer – to view information about services provided to the neighborhood, such as fire stations, police patrol areas, and street sweeping. 

VISIT THE COMMUNITY GIS PORTAL