County Building Permits
Josephine County, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Josephine County, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in the unincorporated area of Josephine County.
- Department
- Josephine County Building Safety Division
- Address
- 700 NW Dimmick Street, Suite C, Grants Pass, OR 97526
- Phone
- 541-474-5405 or 541-474-5408
Online Permit Portal
Platform: SmartGov Community • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Obtain portal access code from Building Safety Division by calling 541-474-5421 or 541-474-5405
- Submit permit application and required documents via Online Public Portal
- Application processed and applicant notified of acceptance or deficiencies
- Applicant pays applicable plan review and permit fees after approval
- Schedule inspection requests through portal
- Construction proceeds with required inspections at each phase
Typical processing time: Timeline may be extended due to limited staff and significant workload.
General Requirements
All new construction and specific alterations (structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical changes) require a building permit in Oregon.
- Building code
- Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC, 2023, adopted October 1, 2023), Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), Oregon Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing codes, fire/life/safety codes
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors working for compensation on construction improvements must be licensed by Oregon CCB. Exceptions: gutter cleaning, power/pressure washing, handyman work under $1,000. License requires pre-license training (16 hours), exam passage, insurance, surety bond, and $325 two-year application fee.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Building Safety office at 541-474-5408 for specific fee amounts; fees vary by permit type and project scope.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Josephine County Building Safety Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Online Public Portal (online)
- 541-474-5405 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests must be received by 11:00 pm to be scheduled for the next day.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8 am–12 pm and 1 pm–3 pm
Typical inspection sequence: Required at multiple construction phases (foundation, framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in, final). Illinois Valley Area: inspections performed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only; electrical inspections may have limited availability.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC, 2023, adopted October 1, 2023), Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), Oregon Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing codes, fire/life/safety codes
- Verify contractor license: Oregon CCB License Lookup
- Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD)
- Oregon BCD Design Criteria Hub
- Oregon DEQ Stormwater Permits (1200-C)
- Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater (Septic)
- Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) Removal-Fill Permits
- Your DEQ Online
- 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 Josephine County Building Safety Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Josephine County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Josephine County, OR?
- All new construction and specific alterations (structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical changes) require a building permit in Oregon.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Josephine County, OR?
- 1. Obtain portal access code from Building Safety Division by calling 541-474-5421 or 541-474-5405 2. Submit permit application and required documents via Online Public Portal 3. Application processed and applicant notified of acceptance or deficiencies 4. Applicant pays applicable plan review and permit fees after approval 5. Schedule inspection requests through portal 6. Construction proceeds with required inspections at each phase
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Josephine County, OR?
- Typical processing time is Timeline may be extended due to limited staff and significant workload..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Josephine County, OR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Online Public Portal, 541-474-5405. Inspection requests must be received by 11:00 pm to be scheduled for the next day..
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