City Building Permits

Durham, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Durham, Oregon. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Oregon Washington County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Durham publishes its own permit applications and fee schedule, but the city states that permit inspection services are contracted to the City of Tualatin. Electrical permits are explicitly routed to Washington County.

Department
City of Durham building permit program; inspection services contracted to the City of Tualatin; Washington County handles electrical permits
Address
Durham City Hall, 17160 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Durham, OR 97224
Phone
503-639-6851
Website
https://durham-oregon.us/building/

Online Permit Portal

Open Email or City Hall intake with Tualatin inspection routing

Platform: Email or City Hall intake with Tualatin inspection routing • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Download the Durham permit application for the project type from the city building page.
  2. Submit the completed application by email to the city or deliver it to Durham City Hall.
  3. Pay permit fees by cash or check. Durham states that it does not accept card payments for this intake path.
  4. If the permit needs plan review, provide the supporting plans and any deferred submittals requested.
  5. Receive issued permit documents from the city.
  6. Call the Tualatin inspection line for inspections on Durham-issued permits. Contact Washington County separately for electrical permits.

Typical processing time: No public Durham-specific turnaround posted.

Source: City of Durham building permit program; inspection services contracted to the City of Tualatin; Washington County handles electrical permits

General Requirements

Durham's building page lists permits for home additions, building work, plumbing, mechanical, demolition, excavation and grading, fire sprinkler affidavit permits, fire alarm affidavit permits, and medical gas permits. Electrical permits are handled separately by Washington County.

Required Documents

  • Application form
  • valuation
  • project description
  • contractor information
  • and plans where required. Durham also posts deferred submittal forms.
Permit validity
Oregon 180-day baseline applies unless extended by the building official.
Building code
Durham directs applicants to its ordinances and resolutions page regarding the State Building Code.
Owner-builder
Owners may apply directly through the city intake process; Oregon homeowner acknowledgement rules still apply.
Contractor requirements
Oregon CCB licensing applies. Applicant forms request contractor license information.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Durham's published fee schedule uses valuation-based permit fees plus the state surcharge; a hard minimum was not clearly extracted from the public page reviewed.
Plan check fee
Included on the city fee schedule and application forms
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based building permit fee plus 12% state surcharge; separate schedule items apply by permit type.
Reinspection fee
Work started before permit issuance can trigger added charges under state and local rules; confirm current fee schedule with the city
Penalty (no permit)
Work started before permit issuance can trigger added charges under state and local rules; confirm current fee schedule with the city
Payment note
Durham states it accepts cash or check only

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Oregon residential permit exemptions for minor work, small detached nonhabitable structures, low fences, and limited finish work may apply.
  • Tree removal, grading, and other site work can still require Durham approval even when a building permit is not needed.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Call Tualatin inspection voicemail at 503-691-3040 for Durham-issued permit inspections (other)
Inspection hours
Tualatin building office hours posted on the linked city page are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Durham does not publish separate inspection windows
Time windows
Tualatin building office hours posted on the linked city page are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Durham does not publish separate inspection windows

Typical inspection sequence: Standard footing, framing, rough-trade, insulation or cover, and final inspections depending on scope

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Durham building permit program; inspection services contracted to the City of Tualatin; Washington County handles electrical permits before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Durham Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Durham, OR?
Durham's building page lists permits for home additions, building work, plumbing, mechanical, demolition, excavation and grading, fire sprinkler affidavit permits, fire alarm affidavit permits, and medical gas permits. Electrical permits are handled separately by Washington County.
How much does a building permit cost in Durham, OR?
The minimum permit fee is Durham's published fee schedule uses valuation-based permit fees plus the state surcharge; a hard minimum was not clearly extracted from the public page reviewed.. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based building permit fee plus 12% state surcharge; separate schedule items apply by permit type.. Plan check fee: Included on the city fee schedule and application forms.
How do I apply for a building permit in Durham, OR?
1. Download the Durham permit application for the project type from the city building page. 2. Submit the completed application by email to the city or deliver it to Durham City Hall. 3. Pay permit fees by cash or check. Durham states that it does not accept card payments for this intake path. 4. If the permit needs plan review, provide the supporting plans and any deferred submittals requested. 5. Receive issued permit documents from the city. 6. Call the Tualatin inspection line for inspections on Durham-issued permits. Contact Washington County separately for electrical permits.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Durham, OR?
Typical processing time is No public Durham-specific turnaround posted..
What work is exempt from building permits in Durham, OR?
The following work is generally exempt: Oregon residential permit exemptions for minor work, small detached nonhabitable structures, low fences, and limited finish work may apply.; Tree removal, grading, and other site work can still require Durham approval even when a building permit is not needed..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Durham, OR?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Call Tualatin inspection voicemail at 503-691-3040 for Durham-issued permit inspections.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Durham can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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