Do I Need a Permit?

Find Your Permit Type

Use the table below to find out if you need a permit and the type of permit required.

Based on the work proposed, select from one of the five categories listed below.
Locate the work in the first column and check to see if a permit is required from the second column.

Note: If a proposed project includes work from several categories check out the overall category first to see if this may cover your entire project. If not, continue to check on the individual categories.

Categories

1. Site-related - Exterior
Work Proposed	Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?
Grading and clearing	Grading Permit (GD) if there is no structure.
Build a private street	Public Construction (PC) unless additional permits required.
Tree cutting on my property	Visit the Planning Division to determine if the site needs a permit. Trees 12 inches and greater in diameter may require a Parks Department permit. Please call 503-588-6335.
Retaining walls taller than 4 feet or any wall with sloping backfill or surcharged	Residential Building Permit Application (DW) and potentially a Grading Permit (GD).
Add a driveway with new or replacement curb cut in right-of-way	Street Permit (ST) or in a combined permit. Single Family (SF) or Commercial Permit (CO).
Add paving for driveway with existing, unaltered curb cut	No permit required.
Add a concrete patio on grade (private property)	Check for easements by contacting Public Works Development Services located in the Permit Application Center, Room 320. No permit required if there are no easements.
Water Heater
New electric water heater	Electrical Permit (E), Plumbing Permit (P).
New gas water heater	Mechanical Permit (M), Plumbing Permit (P).
Replace electric to gas	Mechanical Permit (M), Plumbing Permit (P).
Replace gas to electric	Electrical Permit (E), Plumbing Permit (P).
Replace similar (i.e., gas to gas, etc.)	Plumbing Permit (P), Mechanical Permit (M).
Sewer Connection
Connection/installation of sewer line on private property	Plumbing Permit (P).
Connection/installation of sewer line in the public right-of-way	Sewer Permit (SS) or combined permit under Single Family (SF).
Repair 6 feet or less	Follow Uniform Plumbing Code - no permit required.
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2. Construction for Residential (Single- or Two-family Dwellings) Sites
Work Proposed	Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?
New Construction
New single family dwelling	Dwelling Permit (DW) and Single Family (SF).
New duplex	Dwelling Permit (DW) and Single Family (SF).
Row houses	Dwelling Permit (DW) and Single Family (SF).
Accessory structure or shed less than 200 square feet and less than 10 feet in height	No permit required.
Accessory structure or shed greater than 200 square feet or more than 10 feet in height	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
Swimming pool, spa	Residential Building Permit Application (DW), Electrical Permit (E), Mechanical Permit (M), Plumbing permit (P), and potentially a Sewer Permit (SS).
Fence	If higher than 6 feet including lattice and/or any architectural feature, Residential Building Permit Application (DW) required.
Alterations to Existing Structures
Demolish a structure	Demolition Permit (DP), and if the structure is connected to a sewer a Sewer Permit (SS) is required. Check with Development Services located in the Permit Application Center in Room 320.
Windows, doors or siding	If the size of the rough opening is not changed, no Building Permit (BP) is required. If adding a window or a door, a Building Permit (BP) is required. Visit Permit Application Center staff to determine if the site needs a permit.
Addition - increase the size of the structure	Residential Building Permit Application (DW) and Single Family (SF).
Add a second floor	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
Add a dormer	Residential Building Permit Application (DW) and potentially a Sewer Permit (SS).
Add a deck 30 inches or less above the ground and more than 3 feet to the property line	No building permit required if there are no easements. If there are easements, a Revocable License to Encroach will be required.
Add a deck more than 30 inches above the ground	Residential Building Permit Application (DW) and potentially a Revocable License to Encroach.
Add a patio cover or porch less than or equal to 120 square feet and supported from the structure	No permit required.
Asbestos abatement	Contact Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or call 1-800-452-4011.
Convert an attic, basement, garage to finished space	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
Dry rot repair	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
Insulation - install or replace	Visit Permit Application Center staff to determine if the site needs a permit.
Rebuild the foundation	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
Reroofing (when existing structural sheathing is left in place)	No permit required.
Reroofing (when sheathing or roof rafters are modified)	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
Staircase - build or rebuild	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
Gutters - replace	No permit required. See Plumbing Permit (P) for rain and/or footing drains.
Seismic upgrade/retrofit	Residential Building Permit Application (DW).
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3. Construction for Commercial (including multifamily buildings) Sites
Work Proposed	Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?
New Construction
Construct new commercial building	Building Permit (BP) and a Commercial Permit (CO).
Construct new multifamily building	Building Permit (BP) and a Commercial Permit (CO).
Alteration to Existing Structures
Demolish a structure	Demolition Permit (DP) and either a Commercial Permit (CO) or a Sewer Permit (SS).
Construct an addition	Building Permit (BP) and a Commercial Permit (CO).
Asbestos abatement	Contact Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or call 1-800-452-4011.
Cell phone antenna	Building Permit (BP) and a Commercial Permit (CO). Contact Land Use Review staff at 503-588-6256, ext. 7427 to see if Land Use Review is required.
Disabled access upgrades	Building Permit (BP).
Install racks/storage shelving	Building Permit (BP).
Install and/or replace siding	Building Permit (BP).
Tenant improvement/alteration	Building Permit (BP) and a Commercial Permit (CO).
Seismic upgrade	Building Permit (BP).
Move or construct walls, even if non-bearing partitions/alterations	Building Permit (BP).
Change the occupancy classification of a structure	Building Permit (BP) and a Commercial Permit (CO).
Replace or add new windows or doors	Building Permit (BP).
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4. Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Work
Work Proposed	Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?
Plumbing
Add a bathroom in a house	Building Permit (BP) and Plumbing Permit (P).
Replace plumbing fixtures in same location	Plumbing Permit (P).
New commercial/residential replace exterior water lines on private property	Plumbing Permit (P).
Replace interior water lines on private property	Plumbing Permit (P).
Replace sewer line on private property	Plumbing Permit (P).
Replace storm line on private property	Plumbing Permit (P).
Install water meter	Water meter installation is included in the Water Permit (WA). Call 503-588-6333 when marked and ready for installation.
Rain drains	Plumbing Permit (P).
Footing drains	Plumbing Permit (P).
Mechanical
Replace a furnace	Mechanical Permit (M).
Decommission oil tank	Call the Fire Marshall at 503-588-6245 for permit requirements. Contact Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or call 1-800-452-4011.
Air conditioner	Electrical Permit (E), Mechanical Permit (M).
Electrical
Replace or reconnect a service panel	Electrical Permit (E).
Add an outlet	Electrical Permit (E).
Air conditioner	Electrical Permit (E), Mechanical Permit (M).
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5. Other Miscellaneous Permits or Work
Work Proposed	Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?
Home occupation	Visit Planning and Zoning staff at the Permit Application Center to determine if a permit is required.
Occupancy permit (change of occupancy)	Building Permit (BP).
Sidewalk cafe seating	Transportation Permit (TR) and contact Planning and Zoning staff at the Permit Application Center to determine if additional permits are required.
Banners hung from street poles	Sign Permit (SI) and contact Transportation Services in Room 325 at City Hall to determine if any additional permits are required.
Signs, a-boards, and banners	Sign Permit (SI).
Flagpoles greater than or equal to 6 feet	Building Permit (BP) Residential Permit (DW).
Tents	Tent Permit (BP) and Residential Building Permit Application (DW). For other tents, call the Fire Marshall at 503-588-6245 for permit requirements. Additionally, contact Planning and Zoning staff at the Permit Application Center to determine if additional permits are required.
Parking permits	Parking Permit (PR, PG, PT, PF, PS).
Noise - make noise beyond allowed standards	See Compliance Services.
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Find Your Permit Type

Categories

1. Site-related - Exterior

Work Proposed

Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?

2. Construction for Residential (Single- or Two-family Dwellings) Sites

Work Proposed

Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?

3. Construction for Commercial (including multifamily buildings) Sites

Work Proposed

Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?

4. Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Work

Work Proposed

Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?

5. Other Miscellaneous Permits or Work

Work Proposed

Permit Needed? What Type of Permit?