Planning Bureau

City planning ensures that land use and development balance the needs of all people to live in healthy neighborhoods, for businesses to thrive to their fullest, and for our natural and built environment to function safely, equitably, and sustainably.

Urban planning guides our transportation system, building infrastructure, and the layout of our neighborhoods, and prescribes densities of our residential, commercial, and industrial areas and more. Without such planning, our cities quickly become inefficient, create conflict, favor privileged interests, and encourage residents and businesses to leave.

Interested in Building safety, inspections, and code compliance? Learn more on our Building Bureau page!

The Development Planning Division is responsible for reviewing application proposals for Major Development Projects involving large-scale land use entitlements. Often, these projects may have such a significant effect that they require community input, environmental review, public noticing, and formal approval by the Planning Commission and or the Oakland City Council. See our current list and map of Major Development Projects, along with the latest project environmental review documents. The Development Planning Division staffs the Planning Commission, which holds regularly scheduled public meetings that include discussion and consideration of major development projects. Its Historic Preservation team also stewards the City's registry of Designated Landmark Properties, Heritage Properties and Preservation Districts.