City Building Permits
Cascade Locks, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Within City of Cascade Locks corporate limits. Hood River County administers all building permits on behalf of the City.
- Department
- Community Development Department (Hood River County), administered on behalf of City of Cascade Locks
- Address
- 601 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
- Phone
- (541) 386-1306
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Oregon ePermitting and in-person submission • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Contact City Recorder Kathy Woosley at kwoosley@cascade-locks.or.us to initiate the permit application process.
- Submit completed building permit application through Oregon ePermitting or in person at Hood River County Community Development, 601 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031.
- Provide two complete sets of construction plans including site plans, proof of legal lot and public street access, and professional design stamp (if required).
- Hood River County Building Code & Inspection Division reviews plans for code compliance and structural integrity.
- Fire Chief reviews all plans affecting fire and life-safety features before permit issuance (City of Cascade Locks requirement).
- Address any correction comments and submit revised documents if needed.
- Pay permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.
- Schedule and pass required inspections (structural, mechanical, electrical, fire/life-safety, final building inspection).
Typical processing time: 10-30 business days for standard permits.
General Requirements
Permits required for construction, alteration, repair, demolition, change of occupancy, and installation or alteration of electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Oregon does not offer a permit-free residential building exemption.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Two complete sets of construction plans including site plan
- Proof of legal lot of record and access to public street
- Professional design stamp (required for buildings 4,000+ sq ft or exceeding 20 feet in height)
- Preliminary Title Report or Deed confirming ownership and boundaries
- Permit validity
- Work must commence within 180 days of permit issuance. Permit expires if work is suspended for 180 consecutive days. Permit expires if work extends beyond one year without extension approval.
- Building code
- 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) for residential; 2025 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) for commercial; 2022 Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC); Cascade Locks Community Development Code Article IV (Building Permits, § 91.051)
- Contractor requirements
- All construction contractors must be licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Verification required: https://ccb.oregon.gov. Fire Chief approval required for projects affecting fire and life-safety features.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $83.10
- Permit fee formula
- Tiered by project valuation; approximately 20% increase effective August 4, 2025. Hood River County fee schedule applies.
- Payment note
- Contact City Recorder Kathy Woosley (kwoosley@cascade-locks.or.us) or Hood River County Building Department at (541) 386-1306 for fee details.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective August 4, 2025).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Non-habitable, one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet and 15 feet in height (garden sheds, storage buildings)
- Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- Retaining walls not supporting regulated buildings
- Paint, wallpaper, new cabinets, countertops, and tile or carpet finish work
- Certain minor repairs and maintenance
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from local zoning and development standards. Verify edge cases with City Recorder or Hood River County Building Code & Inspection Division.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (541) 386-1306 (Hood River County Building Code & Inspection) (phone)
- kwoosley@cascade-locks.or.us (City Recorder) (email)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing/foundation, mechanical systems, electrical, fire/life-safety review (Fire Chief), final building inspection.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) for residential; 2025 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) for commercial; 2022 Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC); Cascade Locks Community Development Code Article IV (Building Permits, § 91.051)
- Verify contractor license: Oregon Construction Contractors Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Hood River County Community Development
- Cascade Locks Community Development Code
- Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD)
- 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 Community Development Department (Hood River County), administered on behalf of City of Cascade Locks before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cascade Locks Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Cascade Locks, OR?
- Permits required for construction, alteration, repair, demolition, change of occupancy, and installation or alteration of electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Oregon does not offer a permit-free residential building exemption.
- How much does a building permit cost in Cascade Locks, OR?
- The minimum permit fee is $83.10. Fees are calculated as: Tiered by project valuation; approximately 20% increase effective August 4, 2025. Hood River County fee schedule applies..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Cascade Locks, OR?
- 1. Contact City Recorder Kathy Woosley at kwoosley@cascade-locks.or.us to initiate the permit application process. 2. Submit completed building permit application through Oregon ePermitting or in person at Hood River County Community Development, 601 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031. 3. Provide two complete sets of construction plans including site plans, proof of legal lot and public street access, and professional design stamp (if required). 4. Hood River County Building Code & Inspection Division reviews plans for code compliance and structural integrity. 5. Fire Chief reviews all plans affecting fire and life-safety features before permit issuance (City of Cascade Locks requirement). 6. Address any correction comments and submit revised documents if needed. 7. Pay permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work. 8. Schedule and pass required inspections (structural, mechanical, electrical, fire/life-safety, final building inspection).
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Cascade Locks, OR?
- Typical processing time is 10-30 business days for standard permits..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Cascade Locks, OR?
- The following work is generally exempt: Non-habitable, one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet and 15 feet in height (garden sheds, storage buildings); Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not supporting regulated buildings; Paint, wallpaper, new cabinets, countertops, and tile or carpet finish work; Certain minor repairs and maintenance. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from local zoning and development standards. Verify edge cases with City Recorder or Hood River County Building Code & Inspection Division.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Cascade Locks, OR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (541) 386-1306 (Hood River County Building Code & Inspection), kwoosley@cascade-locks.or.us (City Recorder).
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