DEPARTMENTAL

GENERAL
ORDER
M-1
Ref: CALEA
Standard: 42.2.1

Rev.
18 Jan 01
Index as:
Fees for Regulatory Permits
Identification Services
Licenses and Permits
Permits and Licenses
Regulatory Permits and Licenses

REGULATORY PERMITS AND LICENSES

The purpose of this order is to explain interdepartmental
responsibilities regarding the issuance of regulatory permits and
licenses and to outline Departmental procedures for investigating
regulatory permit applications.
I.

DEFINITIONS
A.

Regulatory Permits - Regulatory permits or licenses are

issued by the City Manager or a department head
following investigation as to whether or not the applicant
meets standards set forth in the Oakland Municipal Code
(OMC) or State statutes.

B.

Business Licenses - The City Financial Services Agency,

Revenue Division issues business licenses pursuant to
Chapter 5.04 of the OMC for revenue and taxation
purposes.

C.

City Manager Permits - City Manager permits also are

known as special activity permits. Citizens apply at the
City Managers Office, and the permits are issued or
denied by the City Manager following investigation by the
departments designated in the OMC. If an applicant's
criminal history or other police information is required,
the application is forwarded to the Chief of Police, who
assigns it to the designated unit for investigation and
preparation of a recommendation to the City Manager as
to whether or not the permit should be granted.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

II.

Rev.
18 Jan 01

D.

Police Permits - Police permits are authorized by the

OMC and are issued after investigation by the designated
departmental unit. Citizens generally apply at the
investigating unit.

E.

Penal Code Permits - The Chief of Police issues or

denies permits authorized in the Penal Code. City
Manager approval is not required. Citizens apply at the
investigating unit.

CITY MANAGER PERMITS - INVESTIGATED BY POLICE

DEPARTMENT AND ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
Permit
Barricaded Room
Bowling Alley
Cabaret
Carnival
Dance Hall
Exchange Dealer
Junk Dealer or Collector
Massage Establishment
Massage Trainee/Therapist
Mechanical and Electronic
Games
Miniature Golf Course
Outdoor Amusement Center
Pool Room
Secondhand Dealer
Secondhand Jewelry Dealer
Skating Rink
Theater
Trampoline Center

III.

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Investigating Unit
Youth & Community Svcs
Division
Patrol Division
Vice/Narcotics Section
Vice/Narcotics Section
Vice Crimes Unit, S.O.D.
Inspectional Services, CID
Inspectional Services, CID
Vice Crimes Unit, S.O.D.
Vice Crimes Unit, S.O.D.
Youth & Community Svcs
Division
Patrol Division
Patrol Division
Patrol Division
Inspectional Services, CID
Inspectional Services, CID
Patrol Division
Vice/Narcotics Section
Patrol Division

POLICE PERMITS - PERMITS INVESTIGATED AND ISSUED

BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Permit
Close-Out Sale License
Dance Permit (one-day)
Dog License

Investigating Unit
Inspectional Services, CID
Special Events Unit, S.O.D.
Animal Services Section

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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Pawnbroker
Overweight Vehicle
Parade Permit
Peddler's Police Certificate
Private Guard (Watchman)
School Store
Short Term Encroachment
Sound Truck (required in Central
District)

Special Events Permit

Taxicab Vehicle Permit
Taxicab Driver's Permit (ID
Card)
Taxicab Fleet Management
Permit
Tow Truck
Vehicle Permit Sticker
Driver's Permit (ID Card)

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Rev.
18 Jan 01

Inspectional Services, CID

Comercial Vehicle Unit, S.O.D.
Special Events Unit, S.O.D.
Records Division
Inspectional Services, CID
Youth & Community Svcs
Division
Special Events Unit, S.O.D.
Chief of Staff, OCOP
Special Events Unit, S.O.D.
Fleet & Taxi Unit, S.O.D.
Fleet & Taxi Unit, S.O.D.
Fleet & Taxi Unit, S.O.D.
Fleet & Taxi Unit, S.O.D.

In addition to the above, bicycle licenses are controlled by the

Youth & Community Services Division and issued by various
firehouses throughout the City.
The Fireworks Permit is a Fire Department fee permit. The Fire
Inspectors Office coordinates with the Traffic Division to
provide additional officers, as needed, when a Fireworks Permit
is issued.
IV.

PENAL CODE PERMITS - INVESTIGATED AND ISSUED BY

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Permit
Investigating Unit
Concealable Firearms Dealer License Weapons Unit, CID
Concealed Firearm, Calif. License to
Office of Chief of
Carry
Police

V.

INTERDEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
A.

City Managers Office

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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

C.

D.

Rev.
18 Jan 01

1.

The City Managers Office collects the fees for City

Manager permits, provides the applicants with the
application forms, directs the applicants to the
Identification Section for identification services,
and/or advises applicants to contact the responsible
investigating unit for information and/or an
appointment.

2.

The City Managers Office forwards copies of City

Manager permit applications to the Chief of Police
for distribution to the appropriate investigating
units.
The City Managers Office will advise applicants for
Police and Penal Code permits to contact the
investigating unit for information and/or an
appointment.

3.

B.

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Departmental Investigating Units

1.

Investigators shall provide the City Managers Office

and/or applicants with necessary forms, permit
application instructions, and a completed
Department of Justice (DOJ) LIVESCAN service
request form (BCII 8016).

2.

Unit commanders and investigators shall coordinate

with the Research and Planning Division regarding
changes in processing procedures and OMC
revisions affecting permits.

Records Division
1.

Records Division personnel shall collect authorized

City fees for police and Penal Code permits and
identification services, issue receipts, and deposit
the fees in the appropriate City account.

2.

As necessary, the Records Division shall direct

applicants to the appropriate investigating unit, the
ID Section, or the Business License Department.

Identification Section (ID Section)

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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

M-1

Rev.
18 Jan 01

1.

Identification Section personnel shall provide

identification services to City Permit applicants. This
generally includes photographing and fingerprinting
applicants and searching local and State files for
criminal records.

2.

When a search for State criminal files is requested,

the ID Section sends fingerprints via LIVESCAN to
the DOJ in Sacramento. The ID Section shall forward
the State criminal history record received from DOJ
to the investigating unit.

3.

The Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief of Police, shall

retain copies of fingerprint cards on file for persons
to whom the Chief of Police has issued licenses to
carry concealed weapons.

VI.

PERMIT APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND FEES

VII.

City Manager Permits

1.

All applicants for special activity City Manager

permits must complete the application forms, pay
the City fees, and obtain Identification Service
Request forms (TF-652) from the City Managers
Office. They will be referred to the ID Section for
identification services.

2.

The City Managers Office instructs applicants for

Barricaded Room, Limousine Owner, and Motorcycle
Escort Service Permits to make appointments with
the investigating unit after completing the
application forms and paying the City fees.

3.

Carnival Permit applicants complete application

forms and pay City fees at the City Managers Office.
Identification services are not required. Upon
receiving the applications, the investigator may
telephone applicants if additional information is
needed.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
B.

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Rev.
18 Jan 01

Police Permits
1.

Applicants for initial police permits and renewals

shall obtain applications and Identification Service
Request forms
(TF-652) at the investigating unit.

2.

Except as provided under subsections a-c below, the

investigator shall indicate the identification services
required and instruct the applicant to pay necessary
fees at the Records Division before proceeding to
the ID Section for photographing and/or
fingerprinting.

3.

a.

School Store Permits are issued very

infrequently. No City fees are involved.

b.

Close-Out Sale License applications may be

accepted by telephone and in the field. The
investigators shall collect the authorized City
fee and deposit it at the Records Division.

c.

Police Peddler Certificate applications (TF 827)

are obtained at the Revenue Division, Financial
Services Agency (Dalziel Building, 250 Frank
Ogawa Plaza, Suite 1320) when the applicant
applies for a City business license. The
applicant completes lines 310,
of form TF 827, after which the Revenue
Division clerk reviews the application and
completes lines 1 and 2. The applicant then
completes lines 1121 before reporting to the
Police Department Records Division for final
processing of the application.

The Animal Services Section (1101 29th Avenue) and

the Bureau of Permits and Licenses collect and issue
Dog/Animal License fees. The Animal Services
Section keeps a current list of pet shops or hospitals
authorized to collect and issue City Dog/Animal
Licenses.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
4.

C.

M-1

Rev.
18 Jan 01

All fire stations collect bicycle fees and issue

licenses. The Bicycle Unit of the Youth & Community
Services Division shall provide the fire stations with
license applications, collect the completed forms,
and deposit the license fees in the City account.

Penal Code Permits

Applications for a California License to Carry a Concealed
Firearm
or Concealable Firearms Dealer License shall be
processed by the appropriate Departmental unit following
procedures set forth in
Part VI, B. The investigator shall complete the
Identification Service Request form to indicate the
services and fees required.

VIII. PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATING AND INTERVIEWING

APPLICANT
A.

When interviewing an applicant, the investigator shall

inform him/her that misrepresenting or falsifying
information on the application or during the interview
may be grounds for denying the permit.

B.

Pursuant to the Municipal Code or State law, the

investigator may consult any or all of the following
sources of information:
1.

The State Department of Motor Vehicles, Division of

Drivers' Licenses to determine the applicant's
driving record.

2.

Criminal records of the Department of Justice and

Alameda County. Copies of the State criminal
history records shall be filed in the investigator's
unit.

3.

Within practical limits, references supplied by the

applicant and other persons named by references.

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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
4.

IX.

M-1

Rev.
18 Jan 01

Other sources which may enable the investigator to

assess:
a.

The applicant's financial or moral fitness to

maintain the business, establishment, place, or
activity pertaining to the application.

b.

The applicant's character as an indication of

how his/her conduct may affect the health,
safety, or general welfare of the public
pursuant to OMC Section 5.02.060.

APPROVAL, DENIAL, RECOMMENDATION, AND APPEAL

PROCEDURES
A.

City Manager and Police Permits

The OMC contains procedures and regulations pertaining
to the issuance, denial, appeal, or conditional approval of
a City Manager or Police Permit. The designated
investigative units shall maintain written policies and
procedures relating to permit processing. Such
procedures shall include a provision that the investigating
units regularly contact the City Managers Special Activity
Unit for information on such permits, including denials,
revocations and appeals.

B.

Penal Code Permits

The assigned investigator shall prepare the license or
permit for the approval and signature of the Chief of
Police or submit a recommendation for denial. If
necessary, the investigator shall attach documentation
and a cover letter explaining his/her reasons for the
recommendation. The decision of the Chief of Police is
final.

C.

All Permits Investigated by Departmental Units

1.

In determining whether an application should be

approved or denied, the investigator shall not base
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

M-1

Rev.
18 Jan 01

his/her recommendation solely on the basis of

arrests that did not result in convictions.
2.

In the event that an investigator recommends denial

solely on the basis of the applicant's criminal
history, a copy of the history record shall be
forwarded to the Chief of Police for information.

By order of

Richard L. Word
Chief of Police

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