County Building Permits
Gilliam County, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Gilliam County and City of Arlington (as of June 1, 2021)
- Department
- City of Boardman Building Codes Division
- Address
- 200 City Center Circle, PO Box 229, Boardman, OR 97818
- Phone
- (541) 481-9252
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Citizenserve Digital • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Contact City of Boardman Building Department or submit application through Citizenserve Digital online portal
- Prepare required documents including site plans and construction details
- Submit complete application with all required documents
- City staff reviews completeness and provides inspection schedule
- Pay permit fees upon issuance
- Schedule inspections (Monday-Friday; non-residential electrical inspections on Thursdays only)
Typical processing time: Varies; contact department for specific timeline
General Requirements
Permits required for all new residential construction and specific alterations (structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical); no blanket exemption for residential building under Oregon law
Required Documents
- Development Permit Application
- Site plan and construction drawings
- Project scope and construction details
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if work not started within 180 days; expires if work suspended or abandoned for 180+ days
- Building code
- Oregon Structural Specialty Code, Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid Oregon CCB license, surety bond, public liability and property damage insurance
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Accessory structures (sheds, detached garages): nonhabitable, one-story, under 200 sq ft, roof height under 15 ft
- Patios, porches, deck covers: under 200 sq ft area, average roof height under 12 ft, at least 3 ft from property lines
- Decks/porches: floor or deck 30 inches or less above adjacent grade
- Fences: wood, wire mesh, or chain link under 7 ft in height
- Plumbing repairs/replacements: sink, toilet, faucet not concealed in wall
- Countertops, shower heads, gutters, downspouts
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from all requirements; confirm with Building Department before proceeding
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (541) 481-9252 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday
Typical inspection sequence: Non-residential electrical inspections on Thursdays only
Additional Resources
- Building code: Oregon Structural Specialty Code, Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code
- Verify contractor license: Oregon CCB License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Gilliam County Planning Department
- Oregon Building Codes Division
- Oregon DEQ Stormwater Permits
- Oregon DSL Removal-Fill Permits
- License lookup guide: Oregon Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Oregon Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Oregon hub: Oregon Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Boardman Building Codes Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilliam County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
- Permits required for all new residential construction and specific alterations (structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical); no blanket exemption for residential building under Oregon law
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
- 1. Contact City of Boardman Building Department or submit application through Citizenserve Digital online portal 2. Prepare required documents including site plans and construction details 3. Submit complete application with all required documents 4. City staff reviews completeness and provides inspection schedule 5. Pay permit fees upon issuance 6. Schedule inspections (Monday-Friday; non-residential electrical inspections on Thursdays only)
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
- Typical processing time is Varies; contact department for specific timeline.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
- The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures (sheds, detached garages): nonhabitable, one-story, under 200 sq ft, roof height under 15 ft; Patios, porches, deck covers: under 200 sq ft area, average roof height under 12 ft, at least 3 ft from property lines; Decks/porches: floor or deck 30 inches or less above adjacent grade; Fences: wood, wire mesh, or chain link under 7 ft in height; Plumbing repairs/replacements: sink, toilet, faucet not concealed in wall; Countertops, shower heads, gutters, downspouts. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from all requirements; confirm with Building Department before proceeding
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (541) 481-9252.
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