No one answers the phone. No one is willing or able to help.

I was very impressed with the customer service. I had some trouble with the website getting the correct forms for my permit, but Mr. Wong was very helpful. Even the lobby security was helpful. I was supposed to pick my permit at 3pm I got there around 2pm and he went out of his way to help me get them sooner. Great Department..

The phone number doesn’t work!

I have found the Planning and Building Department in Oakland to be extremely helpful and responsive. Maurice Hackett and Tiffany Mao were both an absolute pleasure to work with. Building Inspector Keith Pacheco was patient, responsive, and knowledgable. Ive only spoken over the phone with Julia Bell in the cashiers office but she was just as helpful as the rest of her team. My company looks forward to more projects in Oakland.

Nice place!

I definitely understand the criticisms of the customer service here, but frankly, once you get your foot in the door and the approval proccess begins, youll realize that this department is staffed with decent, professional people who want you to succeed in your endeavors. This isnt to say its a day at the beach and that your hand is held at all times, but having dealt with many departments in the Bay Area over many years, I have to say that I prefer Oakland over the rest. And actually, if you do your homework prior to contacting customer service and you know exactly what youre asking for, customer service is willing and able to get you what you need.

I just want to say that Alicia is awesome. Everytime I have emailed her she responds quickly and is extremely helpful.

Slow at getting anything done as of lately. I guess its kinda understandable with the number of new developments. Depending on who your case manager for your zoning or permit approvals, its probably best to call in everyday into you get something back.

Worst place to get permits. Waited for almost 2hrs to get a single permit. People here need to work faster. One of the lady waited here for 3hrs to get her work done. And it stinks bad

This place is horrible Robert Walker should be ashamed`of himself he had some squatters`upstairs of my Domestic Partner of`14yrs home when I was out of town took pictures of for instance a perfect elec. socket or a wire on a fine wall without cover or chandelier that was in its cover to be hung ..sent an invoice for over $3.000.00 `to my dearly departed partner with a`re inspection 11/16/2015 A day I was home`no one came Lies....They are not familiar with State Domestic Partner `I hate Robert Walker `

Been there 3 times talked to 5-6 different people and they all say I need to come back when someone else is there. Expect to take 7-10 days and 3-5 trips to get your permit ONLY if you have all your ducks in a row.

They cant be bothered to answer their phones. You get put into phone queue, with no clue about the wait time. Hung up after half an hour.

Im working on a job with no permits they paid someone off so tell me how that works out for the city???

Worked at City of Oak in planning zoning permits during fire storm and earth quake disasters and received high praise from Mayor, City Manager and Director of Public Works. Not sure what happened to the customer service but should be addressed immediately. 😒 Palmer Woods

Theres nobody there.

Terrible service. never answer the phone and return message.

HORRIBLE.... HORRIBLE .....customer service. I have been to the different cities for building permit applications and have never seen that kind of customer service associates before.

Horrible Customer Service, few chairs .Employees behind the counter just chatting away while customers are waiting to be helped.Worse than the DMV.

These people never answer the phone. Its sad that we have such ineffective city government.

They took almost 3 hrs to serve me. I felt of sleep

4 hour wait November 14So far 1,5 hour wait November 15Only one planner on counter. The # 2 helped one customer then went on break. It’s only 9:30

Every where you want to go, police gave you ticket the god of Oakland is city

Nice...

We thought it would take two hours, then it would end in fifteen minutes!

Rin