Oakland Zoning District Classifications and Maps

The City of Oakland’s zoning regulations establish various districts to control land use, development features, and landmarks. These provisions apply to all property within the city limits and certain adjoining unincorporated territories [Article 17.154.010].

Commercial Zoning Districts

The commercial zones are designed to support different scales of business activity, from local corridors to regional drawing centers.

Community Commercial (CC) Zones

The intent of the CC zones is to create and enhance areas for commercial and institutional operations along major corridors and shopping centers [Article 17.35.010].

• CC-1 (Community Commercial - 1): Intended for shopping centers and malls with a wide range of consumer businesses.
• CC-2 (Community Commercial - 2): Areas with commercial businesses providing direct frontage and access along corridors.
• CC-3 (Community Commercial - 3): Areas supporting a wide range of commercial and service activities.

Regional Commercial (CR) Zones

The intent of the Regional Commercial zones is to maintain and create areas that serve as region-drawing centers of activities [Article 17.37.010].

Special District Zones (D-Series)

Oakland utilizes special district regulations to implement specific planned unit developments and neighborhood-specific goals.

Oak Knoll District (D-OK) Zones

The D-OK zones implement the Oak Knoll District Planned Unit Development (OKPUD) permit, focusing on a pedestrian-oriented mix of housing, retail, and open space [Article 17.101J.010].

• D-OK-1: Low-density single-family homes.
• D-OK-2: Medium-low density single-family homes.
• D-OK-3: Medium-density residential (e.g., townhomes).
• D-OK-4: Neighborhood-serving retail (supermarkets, banks, cafes).
• D-OK-5: Community amenities and commercial uses (event spaces).
• D-OK-6: Active open space (parks, tot lots, informal recreation).
• D-OK-7: Passive open space (natural features, hiking trails, wildlife enhancement).

Wood Street District (D-WS) Zones

These zones are intended to create an active, mixed-use urban community. The district includes nine specific sub-zones:

• D-WS-1 through D-WS-9: These zones correspond to Wood Street Development Areas 1 through 9 [Article 17.101A.010].

Other Special Districts

Additional districts established through various ordinances include:

• D-DT: Downtown District [Article 17.99.020].
• D-BV: Broadway Valdez District [Chapter 17.101C].
• D-LM: Lake Merritt Station Area District [Chapter 17.101G].
• D-CO: Coliseum Area District [Chapter 17.101H].
• D-OTN: Oak-to-Ninth District [Chapter 17.101B].
• D-GI: Gateway Industrial District [Chapter 17.101F].
• D-BR: Broadway Retail Frontage District [Chapter 17.101C].

Combining Zones (S-Series)

Combining zones are "overlay" regulations that apply in addition to the base zoning district.

• S-13: Affordable Housing Combining Zone [Chapter 17.95].
• S-14: Housing Sites Combining Zone [Chapter 17.96].
• S-17: Downtown Residential Open Space Combining Zone. This zone may be combined with any zoning district located within the Downtown District (D-DT) Zone [Article 17.99.020].

Industrial and Residential Designations

Based on the city's comparative list of ordinances, the code also recognizes several standard industrial and residential classifications:

• Industrial Zones: CIX-1 (Commercial Industrial Mix), CIX-2, IG (Industrial General), and IO (Industrial Office) [Chapter CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE].
• Residential Zones: RM-4 (Mixed Housing Residential), R-90, and various other residential designations used throughout the city [Chapter CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE].

Zoning of Streets and Public Property

In Oakland, every street, freeway, alley, or path is deemed to be in the same zone as the nearest zoned lots it abuts. If the lots on opposite sides of a public way are in different zones, the centerline of that way serves as the zone boundary [Article 17.154.030].