The Self-Help Center, located within the Permit Center at 39550 Liberty St., offers computers for the public to be able to research properties in Fremont. The City retains electronic or microfilm copies of most permit records, plans, and other relevant documents from 1956 when the City was incorporated.

To use the Self-Help Center, visitors can schedule an appointment by email. Walk-ins are also welcome on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.).

If for some reason a desired record cannot be located or a digital or paper copy is needed, an online request form can be completed through the City's Public Record Requests Portal. No records prior to 1956 are available from the City. For more information, contact the Alameda County Assessor’s Office.

Copies of permit records can be processed from available records. Digital copies of permits and/or plans will be provided free of charge. If paper copies are requested, the cost for each letter-size page is typically $0.25 for the first 5 pages and $0.10 for every page thereafter. For the latest fees, view page 5 of the City's Master Fee Schedule.

Copies of plan records cannot be copied except with the written permission, which permission shall not be unreasonably withheld, of the certified, licensed, or registered professional or his or her successor, if any, who signed the original documents and the written permission of the original or current owner of the building. City staff will contact the professional for approval to copy plans. Up to 30 days or more may be required to contact the professional and the cost per professional contacted is $96. Plans that are not prepared by a certified, licensed, or registered professional may be copied without the designer’s approval. The cost of plan copies is up to $5.25 per plan page depending on the copying method requested or required. An additional 7 to 10 days may be required for copying the records.