Orinda, CA · Contra Costa County
Commercial Use Permit Application
This application requests approval for a commercial use in Orinda’s downtown zoning district and is filed by a business or property owner seeking to establish or expand a use.
What this form is
Orinda requires a Commercial Use Permit for specified downtown uses, including certain retail and office uses, listed businesses, and uses operating before 5 a.m. or after 11 p.m. The application asks for property, owner, and applicant information, project details, and signatures. Applicants must also provide a plan set and a written description of the proposed use; commercial or institutional properties proposing a change or expansion of use need a parking plan.
Who needs it
A property owner or applicant seeking approval to establish or expand a listed commercial use in Orinda’s downtown zoning district needs this application.
How to submit it
Applications are accepted only electronically. Submit the complete application online at https://www.cityoforinda.org/527/Application-Submittal with a plan set and written description.
About notarization
This document is signed without a notary; the property owner and, if different, the applicant sign and date the application.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download The Application
Download the Commercial Use Permit Application and review the listed permit requirements.
- 2
Complete The Application
Fill in the property, owner, applicant, and project information, then have the property owner and applicant, if different, sign and date.
- 3
Gather Required Materials
Prepare one electronic PDF plan set and a written description of the proposed use; include a parking plan when required for a commercial or institutional property.
- 4
Submit Electronically
Submit the complete application online through Orinda’s application-submittal page.
Frequently asked questions
- Who needs Orinda’s Commercial Use Permit Application?
- Property owners or applicants seeking approval for a listed downtown commercial use, including certain retail or office uses, specified businesses, or extended hours, may need to apply.
- How do I submit the Commercial Use Permit Application?
- Applications are accepted only electronically. Submit the complete application online through Orinda’s application-submittal page with a plan set and written description of the proposed use.
- What must I include with the application?
- Include one electronic PDF plan set and a written description of the proposed use. For a commercial or institutional property with a proposed change or expansion of use, include a plan showing parking access, layout, and capacity.
- Do I need a notary for the Commercial Use Permit Application?
- No. This application is signed without a notary; the property owner and, if different, the applicant sign and date it.
Need something notarized?
This Commercial Use Permit Application doesn’t need a notary — but if you have another Orinda form that does, a commissioned online notary can help.