On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Durham
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.
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.
- Exempt Oregon residential permit exemptions for minor work, small detached nonhabitable structures, low fences, and limited finish work may apply.
- Exempt Tree removal, grading, and other site work can still require Durham approval even when a building permit is not needed.
Required documents
- Application form
- valuation
- project description
- contractor information
- and plans where required. Durham also posts deferred submittal forms.
- Building code
- Durham directs applicants to its ordinances and resolutions page regarding the State Building Code.
- Permit validity
- Oregon 180-day baseline applies unless extended by the building official.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No public Durham-specific turnaround posted.
- 01 Download the Durham permit application for the project type from the city building page.
- 02 Submit the completed application by email to the city or deliver it to Durham City Hall.
- 03 Pay permit fees by cash or check. Durham states that it does not accept card payments for this intake path.
- 04 If the permit needs plan review, provide the supporting plans and any deferred submittals requested.
- 05 Receive issued permit documents from the city.
- 06 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Durham building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
02
Plan check fee
Included on the city fee schedule and application forms
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based building permit fee plus 12% state surcharge; separate schedule items apply by permit type.
04
Reinspection fee
Work started before permit issuance can trigger added charges under state and local rules; confirm current fee schedule with the city
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work started before permit issuance can trigger added charges under state and local rules; confirm current fee schedule with the city
Durham states it accepts cash or check only
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: Standard footing, framing, rough-trade, insulation or cover, and final inspections depending on scope
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Durham permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Durham, OR? ▸
Building permit fees in Durham, OR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Durham, OR? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Durham, OR, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Durham, OR? ▸
Building permit processing times in Durham, OR typically run No public Durham-specific turnaround posted.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Durham, OR? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Durham, OR? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Durham, OR via: Call Tualatin inspection voicemail at 503-691-3040 for Durham-issued permit inspections.
last verified April 2026
source City of Durham building permit program; inspection services contracted to the City of Tualatin; Washington County handles electrical permits ↗
entry id permits/oregon/washington/durham
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Durham building permit program; inspection services contracted to the City of Tualatin; Washington County handles electrical permits before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.