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County building permits

Unincorporated Gilliam County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Boardman Building Codes Division

Street address
200 City Center Circle, PO Box 229, Boardman, OR 97818
Coverage
Unincorporated areas of Gilliam County and City of Arlington (as of June 1, 2021)
Online portal
City of Boardman Building Department
Citizenserve Digital
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Gilliam County

Permits required for all new residential construction and specific alterations (structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical); no blanket exemption for residential building under Oregon law

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
  • Exempt Accessory structures (sheds, detached garages): nonhabitable, one-story, under 200 sq ft, roof height under 15 ft
  • Exempt Patios, porches, deck covers: under 200 sq ft area, average roof height under 12 ft, at least 3 ft from property lines
  • Exempt Decks/porches: floor or deck 30 inches or less above adjacent grade
  • Exempt Fences: wood, wire mesh, or chain link under 7 ft in height
  • Exempt Plumbing repairs/replacements: sink, toilet, faucet not concealed in wall
  • Exempt Countertops, shower heads, gutters, downspouts

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from all requirements; confirm with Building Department before proceeding

Required documents
  • Development Permit Application
  • Site plan and construction drawings
  • Project scope and construction details
Building code
Oregon Structural Specialty Code, Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code
Permit validity
Permit expires if work not started within 180 days; expires if work suspended or abandoned for 180+ days
Contractor requirements
Contractors must hold valid Oregon CCB license, surety bond, public liability and property damage insurance

Source: City of Boardman Building Codes Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies; contact department for specific timeline

  1. 01
    Contact City of Boardman Building Department or submit application through Citizenserve Digital online portal
  2. 02
    Prepare required documents including site plans and construction details
  3. 03
    Submit complete application with all required documents
  4. 04
    City staff reviews completeness and provides inspection schedule
  5. 05
    Pay permit fees upon issuance
  6. 06
    Schedule inspections (Monday-Friday; non-residential electrical inspections on Thursdays only)

Typical processing time: Varies; contact department for specific timeline

Source: City of Boardman Building Codes Division ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (541) 481-9252 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday

Typical sequence: Non-residential electrical inspections on Thursdays only

Source: City of Boardman Building Codes Division ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Gilliam County permits

01 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
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR, follow these steps: 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)
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR typically run Varies; contact department for specific timeline. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
Not all construction work requires a permit 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 When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gilliam County, OR via: (541) 481-9252.
last verified April 2026 source City of Boardman Building Codes Division ↗ entry id permits/oregon/gilliam/unincorporated

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Boardman Building Codes Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.