Oregon home permit planning notes
Statewide code administration, local planning, seismic risk, wildfire zones, energy rules, and coastal review can affect project documents.
What to verify locally
- Whether your property is inside city limits or unincorporated county territory
- Which office handles zoning approval versus building permits
- Whether trade permits must be pulled by licensed contractors
- Whether HOA, historic, coastal, floodplain, wildfire, or utility approval applies
Local guides in Oregon
Portland Residential Permit Guide
Portland residential permits cover one- and two-family homes, with building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, zoning, site, and tree rules depending on scope.
Portland, OregonPortland Deck Permit Guide
Portland deck permits are driven by walking-surface height, zoning, overlays, and inspection requirements.
Portland, OregonPortland Fence Permit Guide
Portland fence permits depend on height, zoning overlays, plan districts, erosion control, tree protection, and final inspection requirements.
Portland, OregonPortland Solar Permit Guide
Portland solar permits cover residential solar panels, solar roof coverings, solar water heating, and inspections.
Portland, OregonPortland Home EV Charging Guide
Portland home EV charging depends on electrical permits, driveway/garage access, and right-of-way rules for curbside charging.
Eugene, OregonEugene Oregon Residential Building Permit Guide
Eugene residential building permits cover new homes, duplexes, secondary dwelling units, additions, remodels, decks, retaining walls, accessory structures, garage conversions, and trade-only work.
Eugene, OregonEugene Oregon Deck Permit Guide
Eugene deck permits are generally required when a deck is more than 30 inches above the ground, and zoning rules still apply to lower decks.
Eugene, OregonEugene Oregon Express and Solar Permit Guide
Eugene offers an express permit path for qualifying projects such as certain garage conversions, solar projects that do not require engineering, and decks.
Washington County, OregonWashington County Oregon Shed, Fence, and Wall Permit Guide
Washington County shed, fence, and retaining wall permit needs depend on habitability, size, height, setbacks, parcel size, and community development rules.
Washington County, OregonWashington County Oregon Residential Permit Portal Guide
Washington County residential permits use a mix of downloaded applications, email or homeowner in-office submittal, BDAS for listed no-plan-review permits, and ProjectDox for plan uploads.
Washington County, OregonWashington County Oregon Trade, Solar, Plumbing, and Right-of-Way Permit Guide
Washington County uses BDAS for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and prescriptive solar permits, while public right-of-way work uses a separate public permitting portal.
Clackamas County, OregonClackamas County Oregon Solar Permit Guide
Clackamas County photovoltaic projects require both building and electrical permits, with prescriptive and non-prescriptive building permit paths.
Clackamas County, OregonClackamas County Oregon Deck, Septic, and Inspection Planning Guide
Clackamas County deck planning should account for Oregon's 30-inch deck permit threshold, septic tank and drainfield setbacks, and county inspection timing.
Bend, OregonBend Oregon Deck, Porch, and Patio Cover Permit Guide
Bend deck, porch, pergola, and patio-cover permits depend on height, area, stairs, and whether electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work is included.
Bend, OregonBend Oregon Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Guide
Bend fence and retaining wall permits depend on height, material, residential-district limits, clear-vision areas, right-of-way location, and whether the wall supports additional load.
Portland, OregonPortland ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide
Portland homeowners planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.
Portland, OregonPortland Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide
Portland pool and spa projects should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.
Portland, OregonPortland Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide
Portland roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.
Portland, OregonPortland Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide
Portland remodels should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.
Portland, OregonPortland Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide
Portland homeowners planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.
Portland, OregonPortland Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide
Portland homeowners should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.
Projects to check first
| Project | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shed Permit | Usually required once the shed exceeds a local size threshold, has a permanent foundation, includes utilities, or violates zoning setbacks. |
| Fence Permit | Often required for tall fences, front-yard fences, corner lots, pool barriers, retaining-wall combinations, and historic districts. |
| Deck Permit | Almost always required for attached decks, elevated decks, structural repairs, and decks with stairs or guards. |
| EV Charger Permit | Usually required for Level 2 hardwired chargers, panel upgrades, new circuits, and garage wiring changes. |
| Solar Permit | Almost always required. Solar normally needs building/electrical permits and separate utility interconnection approval. |
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | Often required when plumbing, electrical, framing, ventilation, or waterproofing systems are changed. |
| HVAC Replacement Permit | Usually required for furnace, condenser, heat pump, major duct, gas line, and equipment-location changes. |
| Basement Finishing Permit | Usually required when unfinished space becomes habitable, especially with bedrooms, bathrooms, or new walls. |
Best first call
Start with the city building department if the property is inside city limits. If not, call the county building or planning office and ask which authority has jurisdiction for zoning, building, and trade inspections.