"Virtually anything built or altered in Oakland first needs permission from the city. A series of planning approvals, building permits, and inspections ensure that a project's materials are fire-safe, the structure is sound, the height doesn't surpass zoning limits, the contractors are licensed, and the design isn't out of keeping with city standards. But the process of getting these permits is rarely easy."
"Themes emerged in these complaints: professionals and regular folks alike waiting weeks to reach a city planner, getting bounced around from one department to another, receiving conflicting instructions on requirements and fees, and confronting tech glitches and delays. Several people in the building business told us the conditions have turned them off from starting projects in Oakland - and have led to an increase in unpermitted, often dangerous, work."
Most building or alteration projects in Oakland require city permission through planning approvals, permits, and inspections ensuring fire safety, structural soundness, zoning compliance, contractor licensing, and design consistency. The permitting process is frequently difficult, with applicants and professionals facing long waits to reach planners, departmental handoffs, conflicting instructions about requirements and fees, and technical glitches and delays. These conditions discourage projects, increase unpermitted and potentially dangerous work, and reduce permit and development fee revenue, property tax gains, and other city income. Then-Mayor Sheng Thao conceded that "Oakland has a shit permitting system."
Read at The Oaklandside
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