County Building Permits
Hood River County, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hood River County, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Hood River County areas outside Hood River city limits and Cascade Locks.
- Department
- Community Development Department, Building Code & Inspection Division
- Address
- 601 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
- Phone
- (541) 386-1306
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Oregon ePermitting • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Submit application in person at 601 State Street or online via Oregon ePermitting.
- Provide completed building permit application, two complete sets of plans with site plans, proof of legal lot ownership and public street access, and professional design stamp (if required for structures over 4,000 sq ft or 20 feet tall).
- County conducts plan review and code compliance check; Fire Marshal and Scenic Area review if applicable.
- Address any correction comments and submit revised documents.
- Pay permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.
- Schedule and pass required inspections (footing, mechanical systems, electrical, final building inspection).
Typical processing time: 10-30 business days for standard single-family residential; 20-60+ days for commercial or complex projects.
Source: Community Development Department, Building Code & Inspection Division
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
- 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); Oregon state specialty codes and amendments
- Contractor requirements
- All construction contractors must be licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Verification required: https://ccb.oregon.gov
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $83.10
- Permit fee formula
- Tiered by project valuation; approximately 20% increase effective August 4, 2025. Contact for detailed schedule.
- Payment note
- Contact (541) 386-1306 for fee details and custom quotes.
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 zoning and other local requirements. Verify edge cases with the Building Code & Inspection Division.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (541) 386-1306 (phone)
- Hood River County Community Development, 601 State Street (in-person)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing/foundation, mechanical systems, electrical, 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); Oregon state specialty codes and amendments
- Verify contractor license: Oregon Construction Contractors Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Hood River County Planning & Zoning
- Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD)
- Columbia River Gorge Commission (Scenic Area Permits)
- Oregon DEQ - Stormwater Construction Permits (1200-C)
- 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, Building Code & Inspection Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hood River County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hood River County, 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 unincorporated Hood River County, OR?
- The minimum permit fee is $83.10. Fees are calculated as: Tiered by project valuation; approximately 20% increase effective August 4, 2025. Contact for detailed schedule..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hood River County, OR?
- 1. Submit application in person at 601 State Street or online via Oregon ePermitting. 2. Provide completed building permit application, two complete sets of plans with site plans, proof of legal lot ownership and public street access, and professional design stamp (if required for structures over 4,000 sq ft or 20 feet tall). 3. County conducts plan review and code compliance check; Fire Marshal and Scenic Area review if applicable. 4. Address any correction comments and submit revised documents. 5. Pay permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work. 6. Schedule and pass required inspections (footing, mechanical systems, electrical, final building inspection).
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hood River County, OR?
- Typical processing time is 10-30 business days for standard single-family residential; 20-60+ days for commercial or complex projects..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hood River County, 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 zoning and other local requirements. Verify edge cases with the Building Code & Inspection Division.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hood River County, OR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (541) 386-1306, Hood River County Community Development, 601 State Street.
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