Unincorporated Washington County

County code and county forms indicate permits are required for new dwelling construction, temporary site improvements, manufactured homes, and related building work subject to county inspection.

• Exempt County code and forms reviewed focus on regulated building work, temporary site improvements, manufactured homes, and inspection-controlled construction stages.

Building code

The county temporary site improvement application states the current International Residential Code is on file with the Washington County Building Department. County code also references the county building code and inspection authority.

1. 01
   Confirm the project is in unincorporated Washington County and not inside Salem or another incorporated municipality.
2. 02
   If the project includes septic work, obtain the septic permit first from the Washington County Health Department.
3. 03
   Use the county building department for the building permit and required inspections / evaluations.
4. 04
   County materials show a required 24-hour notice for evaluations.
5. 05
   For manufactured home, framed home, and modular home projects, county checklists require homeowner or general contractor participation at each stage.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• Contact the Washington County Building Department by phone. The public checklist materials require 24-hour notice. (phone)

Typical sequence: County checklists show:

County materials state the homeowner or general contractor should be present for each phase, and a $250 per day fine may apply for failure to call for required evaluations.