Umatilla County, OR — 2026 Building Permit Guide

Q: How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR?

Building permit fees in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Based on construction valuation using ICC Building Valuation Table methodology per OAR 918-050-0100.

Q: How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR?

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR, follow these steps: 1. Obtain Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) from Umatilla County Community Development, Planning Division (541-278-6252). 2. After zoning approval, submit structural plans to Oregon BCD via BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov or in person at Pendleton field office. 3. BCD reviews plans for code compliance; contact office with questions. 4. Upon permit issuance, schedule inspections 24/7 via ePermitting system or by phone. 5. Conduct required inspections: footing, framing, final, and specialty code inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical). 6. Pass final inspection to complete permit process.

Q: How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR?

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR typically run 2-4 weeks for standard residential permits. Plan review typically 15 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

Q: What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR?

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR. The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures: nonhabitable, detached, one-story, 3 feet from property line; Decks/porches: floor <30 inches above adjacent grade; Fences: <7 feet height (wood, wire, chain link); Concrete slabs/driveways: <30 inches above grade, no basement below; Interior finish work: paint, wallpaper, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops. Note: Local jurisdictions may impose more stringent requirements. Verify with county Planning Division before proceeding with exempt work. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

Q: How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR via: BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov (ePermitting), 541-276-7814 (BCD Pendleton Field Office). Available 24/7 online and by phone.

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§ 01

Permit authority

Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) & Umatilla County Community Development

Street address

800 SE Emigrant Ave, Suite 360, Pendleton, OR 97801

Phone

541-276-7814

Coverage

All properties in unincorporated Umatilla County. Structural permits administered by state BCD; zoning/land use by county Planning Division.

Online portal

BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov (ePermitting)

Oregon ePermitting

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Umatilla County

Building permit required for all structural additions, new structures, certain remodels, manufactured home placement, and accessory structures 200+ sq ft. Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits required.

Scope of work

Permit?

Accessory structures: nonhabitable, detached, one-story, <200 sq ft or <15 feet to roof average

Exempt

Decks/patios: <200 sq ft, <12 feet roof height, >3 feet from property line

Exempt

Decks/porches: floor <30 inches above adjacent grade

Exempt

Fences: <7 feet height (wood, wire, chain link)

Exempt

Concrete slabs/driveways: <30 inches above grade, no basement below

Exempt

Interior finish work: paint, wallpaper, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops

Exempt

Exempt Accessory structures: nonhabitable, detached, one-story, <200 sq ft or <15 feet to roof average
Exempt Decks/patios: <200 sq ft, <12 feet roof height, >3 feet from property line
Exempt Decks/porches: floor <30 inches above adjacent grade
Exempt Fences: <7 feet height (wood, wire, chain link)
Exempt Concrete slabs/driveways: <30 inches above grade, no basement below
Exempt Interior finish work: paint, wallpaper, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops

Note: Local jurisdictions may impose more stringent requirements. Verify with county Planning Division before proceeding with exempt work.

Required documents

Completed permit application
Construction plans and specifications
Site plan
Proof of zoning approval (LUCS)
Project valuation estimate

Building code: Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Oregon Structural Specialty Code, Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code. New codes effective October 1, 2025.
Permit validity: Permit valid 180 days from issuance. Work must start within this period. Permit expires if work suspended/abandoned for 180+ consecutive days.
Contractor requirements: All work for compensation requires Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license with appropriate endorsement (residential, commercial, or both). License info: ccb.oregon.gov

Source: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) & Umatilla County Community Development ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 2-4 weeks for standard residential permits. Plan review typically 15 business days.

01

Obtain Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) from Umatilla County Community Development, Planning Division (541-278-6252).
02

After zoning approval, submit structural plans to Oregon BCD via BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov or in person at Pendleton field office.
03

BCD reviews plans for code compliance; contact office with questions.
04

Upon permit issuance, schedule inspections 24/7 via ePermitting system or by phone.
05

Conduct required inspections: footing, framing, final, and specialty code inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical).
06

Pass final inspection to complete permit process.

Typical processing time: 2-4 weeks for standard residential permits. Plan review typically 15 business days.

Source: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) & Umatilla County Community Development ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective Varies by permit type; see BCD Pendleton office

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Based on construction valuation using ICC Building Valuation Table methodology per OAR 918-050-0100

Payment methods available through ePermitting system or at Pendleton field office

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Varies by permit type; see BCD Pendleton office) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov (ePermitting) (online)
541-276-7814 (BCD Pendleton Field Office) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Available 24/7 online and by phone
Inspection hours: Inspector availability: Morning inspections 9:00 AM, afternoon inspections 1:00 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: footing, framing, final, plus specialty code inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical)

Source: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) & Umatilla County Community Development ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Umatilla County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Based on construction valuation using ICC Building Valuation Table methodology per OAR 918-050-0100.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR, follow these steps: 1. Obtain Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) from Umatilla County Community Development, Planning Division (541-278-6252). 2. After zoning approval, submit structural plans to Oregon BCD via BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov or in person at Pendleton field office. 3. BCD reviews plans for code compliance; contact office with questions. 4. Upon permit issuance, schedule inspections 24/7 via ePermitting system or by phone. 5. Conduct required inspections: footing, framing, final, and specialty code inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical). 6. Pass final inspection to complete permit process.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR typically run 2-4 weeks for standard residential permits. Plan review typically 15 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR. The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures: nonhabitable, detached, one-story, <200 sq ft or <15 feet to roof average; Decks/patios: <200 sq ft, <12 feet roof height, >3 feet from property line; Decks/porches: floor <30 inches above adjacent grade; Fences: <7 feet height (wood, wire, chain link); Concrete slabs/driveways: <30 inches above grade, no basement below; Interior finish work: paint, wallpaper, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops. Note: Local jurisdictions may impose more stringent requirements. Verify with county Planning Division before proceeding with exempt work. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Umatilla County, OR via: BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov (ePermitting), 541-276-7814 (BCD Pendleton Field Office). Available 24/7 online and by phone.

last verified April 2026 source Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) & Umatilla County Community Development ↗ entry id permits/oregon/umatilla/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) & Umatilla County Community Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Umatilla County