Plain-English walkthroughs for getting permits across the Bay Area — where to file, what to bring, how the process works, and the gotchas that stall everyone else.
Online submittals, over-the-counter trade permits, and what the Building Division wants to see.
Oakland, CAPlanning & Building online, plus the license-expiry trap that stalls filings.
San Francisco, CAThe Permit Center, DBI + Planning review layers, and how to keep it moving.
San Jose, CAThe online Permit Center, published checklists, and what makes submittals bounce.
Berkeley, CAThorough plan review, zoning enforcement, and design-review districts.
Walnut Creek, CACommunity Development online, business-license requirements, and residential flow.
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Skip the portal maze. We assemble your package, verify everything, and file it — in every city on this list.
File my permit →Guides describe typical processes based on publicly available city information and our filing experience. Cities update forms, fees, and portals — always confirm current requirements on the city's official site before filing. This isn't legal advice.