Zoning Districts of Oakland, CA
Oakland establishes several major zoning categories including Neighborhood Commercial (CN-1 to CN-4), Community Commercial (CC-1 to CC-3), and Regional Commercial (CR). Specialized districts include Downtown (D-DT-P to D-DT-JLI), Wood Street (D-WS-1 to D-WS-9), Oak Knoll (D-OK-1 to D-OK-7), and the Coliseum Area (D-CO-1 to D-CO-6). Additionally, industrial zones like HBX and CIX are utilized alongside combining zones such as S-19.
The City of Oakland establishes zoning districts to describe the boundaries of zones, development control maps, and designated landmarks. These regulations apply to all property within the city and adjoining unincorporated territory that has been prezoned [Section 17.154.010].
Commercial Zoning Districts
The city maintains several tiers of commercial zones designed to support neighborhood, community, and regional needs.
Neighborhood Center Commercial (CN) Zones
The CN zones are intended to create and enhance mixed-use neighborhood centers characterized by small-scale, pedestrian-oriented active storefronts [Section 17.33.010.A].
- CN-1: Neighborhood Commercial - 1 Zone
- CN-2: Neighborhood Commercial - 2 Zone
- CN-3: Neighborhood Commercial - 3 Zone
- CN-4: Neighborhood Commercial - 4 Zone [Section 17.33.010.B]
Community Commercial (CC) Zones
The CC zones are intended for a wide variety of commercial and institutional operations along major corridors and in shopping centers [Section 17.35.010.A].
- CC-1: Community Commercial - 1 Zone
- CC-2: Community Commercial - 2 Zone
- CC-3: Community Commercial - 3 Zone [Section 17.35.010.B]
Regional Commercial (CR) Zone
The CR Regional Commercial Zone is intended to maintain and support areas that serve as region-drawing centers of activity [Section 17.37.010].
Special District Zoning Regulations
Specific areas of Oakland are governed by district-specific regulations tailored to unique development goals and local plans.
Downtown District (D-DT) Zones
These zones implement the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP) [Section 17.101K.010].
- D-DT-P: Downtown District Pedestrian Commercial Zone
- D-DT-C: Downtown District General Commercial Zone
- D-DT-CX: Downtown District Mixed Commercial Zone
- D-DT-R: Downtown District Residential Zone
- D-DT-RX: Downtown District Mixed Residential Zone
- D-DT-CPW: Downtown District Planned Waterfront Development Commercial Zone
- D-DT-CW: Downtown District Estuary Waterfront Commercial Zone
- D-DT-AG: Downtown District Art and Garage Commercial Zone
- D-DT-PM: Downtown District Produce Market Commercial Zone
- D-DT-JLI: Downtown District Jack London Industrial Zone [Section 17.101K.010.B]
Oak Knoll District (D-OK) Zones
These zones implement the Oak Knoll District Planned Unit Development (OKPUD) [Section 17.101J.010].
- D-OK-1: Oak Knoll District Residential Zone - 1 (Low-density)
- D-OK-2: Oak Knoll District Residential Zone - 2 (Medium-low density)
- D-OK-3: Oak Knoll District Residential Zone - 3 (Medium-density/townhomes)
- D-OK-4: Oak Knoll District Commercial Zone - 4 (Neighborhood retail)
- D-OK-5: Oak Knoll District Amenity Community Commercial Zone - 5
- D-OK-6: Oak Knoll District Active Open Space Zone - 6
- D-OK-7: Oak Knoll District Passive Open Space Zone - 7 [Section 17.101J.010.B]
Coliseum Area District (D-CO) Zones
These zones implement the Coliseum Area Specific Plan (CASP) [Section 17.101H.010.A].
- D-CO-1: Coliseum Area Transit-Oriented Development District - 1 Commercial Zone
- D-CO-2: Coliseum Area District - 2 Commercial Zone
- D-CO-3: Coliseum Area District - 3 Commercial Zone
- D-CO-4: Coliseum Area District - 4 Commercial Zone
- D-CO-5: Coliseum Area Commercial Mix District - 5 Industrial Zone
- D-CO-6: Coliseum Area Commercial Mix District - 6 Industrial Zone [Section 17.101H.010.B]
Lake Merritt Station Area District (D-LM) Zones
These zones are intended to implement the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan [Section 17.101G.010].
- D-LM-1: Lake Merritt Station Area District Mixed - 1 Residential Zone
- D-LM-2: Lake Merritt Station Area District Pedestrian - 2 Commercial Zone
- D-LM-3: Lake Merritt Station Area District General - 3 Commercial Zone
- D-LM-4: Lake Merritt Station Area District Mixed - 4 Commercial Zone
- D-LM-5: Lake Merritt Station Area District - 5 Institutional Zone [Section 17.101G.010.B]
Other Special Districts
- D-WS (Wood Street District): Includes zones D-WS-1 through D-WS-9, reflecting boundaries of Development Areas 1 through 9 [Section 17.101A.010].
- D-OTN (Oak-to-Ninth District): Also known as Brooklyn Basin, this zone is intended for mid-rise and high-rise housing with ground-floor retail [Section 17.101B.010].
Industrial and Mixed-Use Districts
The following industrial and mixed-use districts are established and subject to specific safety and mix standards [Section 17.100A.030]:
- HBX: Housing and Business Mix Zones
- D-CE-3 and D-CE-4: Central Estuary District Zones
- CIX-1: Commercial Industrial Mix-1 Zone
- CIX-1A, -1B, -1C, and -1D: West Oakland Plan Area Commercial Industrial Mix Zones
- CIX-2: Commercial Industrial Mix-2 Zone
- IG: General Industrial Zone
- IO: Industrial Office Zone
Open Space Zones
- OS-RSP: Open Space - Region Serving Park. This zone is designated for public parks, open space, and civic uses, such as Shoreline Park [Section 17.101B.010].
Combining Zones
Combining zones provide additional layers of regulation that apply when overlaid on primary zoning districts.
- S-19 Health and Safety Protection Combining Zone: Applies to HBX, CIX, and specific industrial zones [Section 17.100A.030].
- Employment Priority Combining Zone: Requires employment-creating activities in the Downtown District [Section 17.101K.010.C].
- BAMBD Arts and Culture Combining Zone: Supports Black and African-American culture and arts [Section 17.101K.010.C].
- The Green Loop Combining Zone: Provides landscaped pedestrian links between waterfronts [Section 17.101K.010.C].
- Sea Level Rise Combining Zone: Ensures new development accounts for future sea level rises [Section 17.101K.010.C].