Administrative overview · FIPS 06001
Alameda County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Alameda County Public Works Agency Building Inspection Department and Community Development Agency Planning Department for unincorporated areas; incorporated cities retain their own permitting authority
For a project in or near Alameda County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
(510) 670-5440 (Building Inspection); (510) 670-5400 (Planning); (510) 670-5460 (Code Enforcement); 24-hour inspection line (510) 670-5434
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Alameda County Building Inspection Department, 399 Elmhurst Street, Room 141, Hayward, CA 94544; Planning Department, 224 West Winton Avenue, Room 111, Hayward, CA 94544
Operating hours
Building permit processing: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., except holidays. Planning main office: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; zoning desk Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with Friday phone service.
Review expectation
N/A for new permit review. Alameda County states that historical building-permit file requests received before 2:00 p.m. Wednesday are retrieved within 5-10 business days; this is a records-request timeline, not a permit-issuance guarantee.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Alameda County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Alameda County Public Works Agency Building Inspection Department and Community Development Agency Planning Department for unincorporated areas; incorporated cities retain their own permitting authority is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact (510) 670-5440 (Building Inspection); (510) 670-5400 (Planning); (510) 670-5460 (Code Enforcement); 24-hour inspection line (510) 670-5434.
How long might review take?
N/A for new permit review. Alameda County states that historical building-permit file requests received before 2:00 p.m. Wednesday are retrieved within 5-10 business days; this is a records-request timeline, not a permit-issuance guarantee.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule county building inspections through the county permit/inspection system or use the 24-hour inspection line at (510) 670-5434; the Building Inspection office is (510) 670-5440. The county’s permit portal advertises electronic permits, plan review, code enforcement, and inspection scheduling.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Alameda County adopted the 2025 California Building Code (Title 24 Part 2), 2025 California Residential Code (Part 2.5), 2025 California Energy Code (Part 6), 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Part 7), 2025 CALGreen (Part 11), 2025 California Existing Building Code (Part 10), and 2025 California Historical Building Code (Part 8), subject to county amendments. Published Alameda County/California exemptions include one-story detached accessory structures accessory to Group R-3 occupancy not exceeding 120 square feet; painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; fences under 6 feet; retaining walls under 4 feet; water tanks; raised decks, platforms, or ramps under 30 inches above adjacent grade; prefabricated above-ground pools; trellises, arbors, and similar shade structures; swings/playground equipment; and flagpoles and pole-type radio/television antennas. Exemptions do not remove zoning, safety, or utility-related requirements where applicable.