City Building Permits
Albany, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Albany, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Albany runs its own city permit program for property inside Albany city limits, including the Linn County portion.
- Department
- City of Albany Building, Community Development Department
- Address
- 333 Broadalbin St SW, Albany, OR 97321
- Phone
- 541-917-7550
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Accela ePermitting • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm whether the project needs a permit using the building page and checklists.
- Apply through Albany ePermitting, upload plans, and pay required fees in one transaction.
- City reviews plans and may require supplemental checklists or handouts by project type.
- Once approved and fees are paid, permit is issued and approved plans must remain available on site.
- Schedule inspections through the city's permit process/portal.
Typical processing time: Not posted on the main page; varies by project type.
Source: City of Albany Building, Community Development Department
General Requirements
Albany states all building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, encroachment, and EPSC permit applications are handled through its ePermitting site; statewide Oregon rules also require permits for new construction and many structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical changes.
Required Documents
- Application
- uploaded plans
- project-specific checklists
- any supporting forms listed on the building page.
- Permit validity
- Oregon residential permit guidance says permits expire if work is not started within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days or more.
- Building code
- Albany checklists and fee materials reference Oregon specialty codes; current statewide adopted-code source is https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/adopted-codes.aspx
- Owner-builder
- Home Owner's Statement form is published on the Albany building page.
- Contractor requirements
- Oregon requires nearly all contractor-performed home improvements to be done by properly licensed contractors; electrical and plumbing work requires the appropriate CCB and BCD licenses.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Fee schedule PDF posted; search snippet shows residential permits start at $75 for the first $2,000 valuation in the one- and two-family table
- Plan check fee
- Search snippet from city fee PDF shows building plan review fee at 65 percent of building permit fee with an $85 minimum
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based for building permits, plus other permit-specific charges
- Reinspection fee
- See fee schedule PDF
- Payment note
- Albany states applicants can apply, upload plans, and pay fees in a single ePermitting transaction
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Work listed by Oregon BCD as exempt for one- and two-family dwellings, such as some minor non-structural repairs and decks or porches not more than 30 inches above grade
- Work exempt from a building permit may still need plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Online scheduling (online)
- Inspection hours
- Counter hours shown as 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; exact inspection windows not posted on the main page
Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific and tied to approved plans and listed checklists
See city fee schedule and permit conditions
Additional Resources
- Building code: Albany checklists and fee materials reference Oregon specialty codes; current statewide adopted-code source is https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/adopted-codes.aspx
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Resource
- Resource
- Resource
- 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 Albany Building, Community Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Albany Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Albany, OR?
- Albany states all building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, encroachment, and EPSC permit applications are handled through its ePermitting site; statewide Oregon rules also require permits for new construction and many structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical changes.
- How much does a building permit cost in Albany, OR?
- The minimum permit fee is Fee schedule PDF posted; search snippet shows residential permits start at $75 for the first $2,000 valuation in the one- and two-family table. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for building permits, plus other permit-specific charges. Plan check fee: Search snippet from city fee PDF shows building plan review fee at 65 percent of building permit fee with an $85 minimum.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Albany, OR?
- 1. Confirm whether the project needs a permit using the building page and checklists. 2. Apply through Albany ePermitting, upload plans, and pay required fees in one transaction. 3. City reviews plans and may require supplemental checklists or handouts by project type. 4. Once approved and fees are paid, permit is issued and approved plans must remain available on site. 5. Schedule inspections through the city's permit process/portal.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Albany, OR?
- Typical processing time is Not posted on the main page; varies by project type..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Albany, OR?
- The following work is generally exempt: Work listed by Oregon BCD as exempt for one- and two-family dwellings, such as some minor non-structural repairs and decks or porches not more than 30 inches above grade; Work exempt from a building permit may still need plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Albany, OR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Online scheduling.
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