The Permit Service Center will be closed for mandatory staff training on Monday, September 28, 2026 through Thursday, October 1, 2026. 
Normal business hours will resume on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 8:30 am.

Fraud Alert
A phishing scam is targeting Berkeley clients with fraudulent invoices. Take steps to protect from fraud:

  • Before replying to invoice requests, verify that the message is from a legitimate email address ending in @cityofberkeley.info or @berkeleyca.gov.
  • The Berkeley Planning and Development Department will never call you for payment and will never ask you to wire funds.
  • If you are unsure about a request for payment you have received, please email planning@berkeleyca.gov. Report fraud attempts to Berkeley Police at (510) 981-5900.

Permit Service Center

Permit Service Center waiting room
Address: 1947 Center Street, 3rd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
Open in map
Phone: (510) 981-7500
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30am–2:30pm (last arrival 2:00pm) by appointment. See Permit Service Counter Hrs.

Walk-Ins: Welcome until 11:30am (for limited services)

Visit the Permit Service Center to apply for permits for development and building projects.

The Permit Service Center is a one-stop shop for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, and some public works permits. Staff are also available to answer questions about the permitting process and building, fire, public works, environmental health, and zoning and land use code requirements.

The Permit Service Center is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm (last customer sign-in is 2:00 pm), excluding holidays. Our office is closed to the public on Fridays, with services provided remotely. Permit processing services are limited on reduced service days. To limit the spread of COVID-19, face masks and social distancing are recommended when visiting our offices in person. 

If you're new to the process or would like more information, read about the permit process and various permit types.

In-Person Submittals

Appointments are required and can be scheduled online for in-person permit processing, including the following services:

  • New permit applications (all Building, Fire, Public Works, and Zoning permits)
  • Resubmittals in response to plan check comments
  • Revisions to approved plans and Deferred Submittals

Schedule in-person appointment

New zoning permit applications can be scheduled through Land Use. Download the Guide to Submitting Zoning Applications to find out how to apply.

Before you visit the Permit Service Center, ensure you have all the necessary forms for your transaction.

Documents must be submitted in PDF format on a USB thumb drive for all in-person submittals. (The Permit Service Center does not accept physical printouts.) 

Permit Service Counter Hours 

  • Building, Permit Processing, and Zoning: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 am–2:30 pm (last customer sign-in is 2:00 pm)
  • Fire Prevention: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 am–12:00 pm (last customer sign-in is 11:30 am)
  • Public Works (Engineering, Zero Waste, Traffic): Monday–Thursday, 8:30 am–12:00 pm (last customer sign-in is 11:30 am)

Please note that counter appointments are available during limited hours and counter services are limited to 30 minutes. 

Please review the Code of Conduct for customers and staff prior to your visit.

You can pay permit fees in person at the Permit Service Center by cash, Visa or Mastercard, or check.

Online Submittals 

You can apply for building permits digitally, except for zoning permits, using the Permit Online portal.

Please note a registered account is required to upload all documents.

Apply for Permit Online

You can also apply for zoning permits electronically (Pre-Application, Administrative Use Permits, Use Permits, Landmarks, and Design Review). Please visit Zoning Permits and read the “Apply for a Zoning Permit” section to learn more or download our Guide to Submitting a Zoning Project Application for instructions on how to apply.  

To submit a response to plan check comments, revisions to approved plans, deferred submittals, or extensions, please upload documents to the associated permit record at the Permits Online portal by selecting "Record Info > Attachments > Add".

You can pay permit fees online using Visa, MasterCard, or e-Checks. 

For support with using Permits Online, please email permits@berkeleyca.gov with account information, project address, and description of problem.