County Building Permits
Sherman County, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sherman County, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Sherman County; land use approval required from Sherman County Planning Department
- Department
- Oregon Building Codes Division, Pendleton Field Office
- Address
- 800 SE Emigrant Ave., Suite 360, Pendleton, OR 97801
- Phone
- 541-276-7814
- Website
- https://www.oregon.gov/bcd
Online Permit Portal
Platform: ACA Oregon/Accela • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Apply for land use approval through Sherman County Planning Department (66365 Lonerock Rd, Moro, OR 97039)
- Obtain planning department sign-off confirming zoning and setbacks comply with Sherman County Zoning Ordinance
- Submit signed application and associated materials to Oregon BCD Pendleton Field Office (541-276-7814)
- BCD performs plan review and issues building permit
- Licensed contractor performs construction
- BCD inspects and approves final work
Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks for initial plan review at BCD
Source: Oregon Building Codes Division, Pendleton Field Office
General Requirements
Building permits are required for all residential, commercial, and structural construction. No permit-free residential building in Oregon.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan
- Construction plans
- Land use approval from Sherman County Planning Department
- Zoning compliance documentation
- Project scope information
- Building code
- Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) 2023, effective October 1, 2023; based on International Residential Code 2018 with Oregon amendments
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must be licensed through Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); verify license at ccb.state.or.us or 1-503-378-4621
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Accessory structures less than 200 sq ft and under 10 ft tall (still require planning review and zoning compliance)
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Sherman County Planning Department before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 541-276-7814 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- 8:00 AM to noon, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Additional Resources
- Building code: Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) 2023, effective October 1, 2023; based on International Residential Code 2018 with Oregon amendments
- Verify contractor license: Oregon CCB License Search
- Oregon DEQ (Stormwater Permits)
- Oregon Department of State Lands (Wetlands/Removal-Fill)
- 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 Oregon Building Codes Division, Pendleton Field Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sherman County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Sherman County, OR?
- Building permits are required for all residential, commercial, and structural construction. No permit-free residential building in Oregon.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sherman County, OR?
- 1. Apply for land use approval through Sherman County Planning Department (66365 Lonerock Rd, Moro, OR 97039) 2. Obtain planning department sign-off confirming zoning and setbacks comply with Sherman County Zoning Ordinance 3. Submit signed application and associated materials to Oregon BCD Pendleton Field Office (541-276-7814) 4. BCD performs plan review and issues building permit 5. Licensed contractor performs construction 6. BCD inspects and approves final work
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Sherman County, OR?
- Typical processing time is 2-3 weeks for initial plan review at BCD.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Sherman County, OR?
- The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures less than 200 sq ft and under 10 ft tall (still require planning review and zoning compliance). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Sherman County Planning Department before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Sherman County, OR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 541-276-7814.
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