Clackamas County, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Quick Start

Permit Authority

County issues all building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, erosion, development engineering, and septic permits in unincorporated Clackamas County. Planning and zoning are separate county functions.

Department

Clackamas County Building Codes

Address

150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045

Phone

503-742-4240

Email

bldservice@clackamas.us

Website

https://www.clackamas.us/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm county jurisdiction and zoning constraints using CMAP and county planning resources.
2. Determine whether the permit goes through Development Direct or the county's separate homeowner/planning path.
3. Submit application, plans, and supporting documents online or in person; pay intake and review fees.
4. Respond to plan review comments and resubmit corrections until approved.
5. Pay issuance fees, print permit and approved plans, then begin work.
6. Schedule inspections before 6:00 a.m. on the inspection day; obtain finals to close out the permit.

Typical processing time: No public universal review guarantee posted; inspections requested before 6:00 a.m. are scheduled Monday-Friday for that day.

Source: Clackamas County Building Codes

General Requirements

New construction and most structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, septic, and erosion-control work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Site plan
• Construction plans
• Engineering when required
• Project-specific forms
• Septic and development permits have separate packets

Permit validity

Permit expires if work does not start within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days; extension request required to keep it active.

Building code

Current Oregon specialty codes enforced locally, including Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Structural Specialty Code, Electrical Specialty Code, Mechanical Specialty Code, and Plumbing Specialty Code.

Owner-builder

Basic homeowner electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits on an owner residence or home-based business that do not need plan review are handled outside Development Direct; homeowners may pull permits for work they legally perform themselves.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold required Oregon licenses; county separates licensed-contractor permits from homeowner permits in its online workflow.

Fees

Plan check fee

Included in county fee schedule; amount depends on permit type and review scope.

Permit fee formula

Mixed; structural permits are valuation-based, trade permits and septic items use schedule-based fees, and separate county/state surcharges may apply.

Reinspection fee

County provides inspection and permit fee pages; extra charges may apply for investigation, reinspection, or other special handling.

Payment note

Contractors must use Development Direct beginning April 1, 2026; county accepts online and in-person payment paths.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Like-for-like electrical outlet, fixture, switch, fuse, breaker, dishwasher, garbage disposal, coax, phone outlet, and doorbell replacements
• Portable appliances and minor mechanical repairs that do not alter approvals or create unsafe conditions
• Minor plumbing repairs such as replacing faucets, toilets, sinks, shower heads, hose bibbs, gutters, and downspouts where piping is not concealed in walls
• Detached nonhabitable one-story accessory structures under 200 square feet and under 15 feet high
• Decks not more than 30 inches above grade, wood or chain-link fences under 7 feet, certain patios, awnings, driveways, finish work, reroofing without structural trigger

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Development Direct portal (online)
• 503-742-4720 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests submitted before 6:00 a.m. are scheduled for that business day.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday

Typical inspection sequence: County sequence based on permit scope; commonly footing, framing, rough trades, insulation/cover, and finals.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Current Oregon specialty codes enforced locally, including Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Structural Specialty Code, Electrical Specialty Code, Mechanical Specialty Code, and Plumbing Specialty Code.
• Verify contractor license: Oregon CCB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County Planning and Zoning
• Oregon Building Code Division
• License lookup guide: Oregon Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Oregon Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Oregon hub: Oregon Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Clackamas County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR?

New construction and most structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, septic, and erosion-control work.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR?

Building permit fees in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; structural permits are valuation-based, trade permits and septic items use schedule-based fees, and separate county/state surcharges may apply.. Plan check fee: Included in county fee schedule; amount depends on permit type and review scope..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR?

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR, follow these steps: 1. Confirm county jurisdiction and zoning constraints using CMAP and county planning resources. 2. Determine whether the permit goes through Development Direct or the county's separate homeowner/planning path. 3. Submit application, plans, and supporting documents online or in person; pay intake and review fees. 4. Respond to plan review comments and resubmit corrections until approved. 5. Pay issuance fees, print permit and approved plans, then begin work. 6. Schedule inspections before 6:00 a.m. on the inspection day; obtain finals to close out the permit.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR?

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR typically run No public universal review guarantee posted; inspections requested before 6:00 a.m. are scheduled Monday-Friday for that day.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR?

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR. The following work is generally exempt: Like-for-like electrical outlet, fixture, switch, fuse, breaker, dishwasher, garbage disposal, coax, phone outlet, and doorbell replacements; Portable appliances and minor mechanical repairs that do not alter approvals or create unsafe conditions; Minor plumbing repairs such as replacing faucets, toilets, sinks, shower heads, hose bibbs, gutters, and downspouts where piping is not concealed in walls; Detached nonhabitable one-story accessory structures under 200 square feet and under 15 feet high; Decks not more than 30 inches above grade, wood or chain-link fences under 7 feet, certain patios, awnings, driveways, finish work, reroofing without structural trigger. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clackamas County, OR via: Development Direct portal, 503-742-4720. Requests submitted before 6:00 a.m. are scheduled for that business day..