Oakland is at the center of the Bay Area, in the heart of an innovative economy, ripe with talent, enriched by a high quality of life and connected by efficient transit systems. Oakland’s diverse economy has gained national attention as a great place to do business, moving out of San Francisco’s shadow to become its own destination. Simply put, Oakland is a great place to live and work! Learn about Oakland's advantages for businesses.
Situated at the geographical center of the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland is the largest and most established of the East Bay cities. The city benefits from immediate access to rail, air, sea, freeway and transit services. Oakland is also an international gateway and an ideal place for business!
Oakland has one of the most skilled workforces in the U.S. Since 2010, the number of working Oaklanders has grown almost 20% from 170,000 to 215,300.
With a long history as a transportation hub, Oakland links the Bay Area to the nation and the world by ship, air, rail and six major freeways. Located in the center of the region's transit systems, Oakland is an ideal business location with easy bus, subway and ferry connections.
Oakland is home to several corporate headquarters and major employers.
Everything you need to know about starting a business in Oakland.
Get help finding a location for your business, learn about zoning regulations, apply for a zoning clearance and start your utility services.
Get help getting your business off the ground.
All about the permits, fees and other requirements needed to operate a business in the City of Oakland.
Code compliance and scheduling building inspections.
You will need to schedule different kinds of inspections depending on the different types of permits required for your business.
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