On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Washington County
New construction and most structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, demolition, and similar regulated work. County code also ties many projects to separate planning or grading review.
Minor work exempt under Oregon residential exemption rules, including many small detached nonhabitable structures, low fences, minor finish work, and limited like-for-like repairs.
Exemptions do not override planning, floodplain, grading, access, or right-of-way approvals.
Rural fill placement, floodplain work, and similar site work can still need separate county approvals even when a building permit is not required.
- Exempt Minor work exempt under Oregon residential exemption rules, including many small detached nonhabitable structures, low fences, minor finish work, and limited like-for-like repairs.
- Exempt Exemptions do not override planning, floodplain, grading, access, or right-of-way approvals.
- Exempt Rural fill placement, floodplain work, and similar site work can still need separate county approvals even when a building permit is not required.
Required documents
- Permit application
- site plan
- construction plans
- valuation
- supporting engineering when required
- and project-specific county forms and signatures.
- Building code
- State of Oregon building specialty codes as enforced by Washington County.
- Permit validity
- Oregon baseline is 180 days to start work and 180 days without activity unless extended by the building official.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may apply directly and may use in-person intake for some permit types; Oregon homeowner acknowledgement rules still apply where the owner is the permit holder.
- Contractor requirements
- Oregon contractor and trade licensing rules apply.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No single countywide permit review promise is posted. The county states only that applications must upload plans and pay plan review fees within 30 days of submission.
- 01 Confirm parcel jurisdiction and any current planning constraints before filing, especially for grading, floodplain, drainage hazard, wildfire, natural resource, or rural-area development issues.
- 02 Select the correct permit path. County self-service BDAS is for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, prescriptive solar, and NFPA 13 sprinkler affidavit permits; most other permits start with an emailed application or homeowner in-person intake.
- 03 Submit the application and required forms. County staff create the permit record and send payment and upload instructions.
- 04 Upload plans to ProjectDox when plan review is required and respond to correction notices until approved.
- 05 Pay remaining permit fees online or through county payment channels.
- 06 Receive issued permit documents, keep approved plans on site, and complete inspections through the county system.
Typical processing time: No single countywide permit review promise is posted. The county states only that applications must upload plans and pay plan review fees within 30 days of submission.
Source: Washington County Land Use and Transportation, Building Services ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Washington County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Washington County fee schedule pages show schedule-based minimums by permit type; an older county fee table visible in current search indexing shows a $130 minimum mechanical permit, but applicants should use the current FY 2025-26 county fee PDF for active charges.
02
Plan check fee
Applies where plan review is required.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Valuation-based for many structural permits, schedule-based for trade permits, plus state surcharge and county add-on fees.
04
Reinspection fee
Additional fees may apply for permit extensions, reinspection, and work started without permits.
05
Penalty (no permit)
Additional fees may apply for permit extensions, reinspection, and work started without permits.
Online payments run through the Public Permitting and Services portal. Credit card convenience fees are paid by the customer.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Public Permitting and Services portal, IVR inspection line, and SelecTXT text scheduling (other)
- Inspection hours
- Building Services lobby hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; remote services are available daily; exact inspection windows are not posted on the main page
- Time windows
- Building Services lobby hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; remote services are available daily; exact inspection windows are not posted on the main page
Typical sequence: Footing and foundation, under-slab or underground work, framing and rough trades, insulation and cover inspections where applicable, then finals
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Washington County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, OR? ▸
New construction and most structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, demolition, and similar regulated work. County code also ties many projects to separate planning or grading review.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washington County, OR? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Washington County, OR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Washington County fee schedule pages show schedule-based minimums by permit type; an older county fee table visible in current search indexing shows a $130 minimum mechanical permit, but applicants should use the current FY 2025-26 county fee PDF for active charges.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Valuation-based for many structural permits, schedule-based for trade permits, plus state surcharge and county add-on fees.. Plan check fee: Applies where plan review is required..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, OR? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, OR, follow these steps: 1. Confirm parcel jurisdiction and any current planning constraints before filing, especially for grading, floodplain, drainage hazard, wildfire, natural resource, or rural-area development issues. 2. Select the correct permit path. County self-service BDAS is for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, prescriptive solar, and NFPA 13 sprinkler affidavit permits; most other permits start with an emailed application or homeowner in-person intake. 3. Submit the application and required forms. County staff create the permit record and send payment and upload instructions. 4. Upload plans to ProjectDox when plan review is required and respond to correction notices until approved. 5. Pay remaining permit fees online or through county payment channels. 6. Receive issued permit documents, keep approved plans on site, and complete inspections through the county system.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, OR? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Washington County, OR typically run No single countywide permit review promise is posted. The county states only that applications must upload plans and pay plan review fees within 30 days of submission.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, OR? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Washington County, OR. The following work is generally exempt: Minor work exempt under Oregon residential exemption rules, including many small detached nonhabitable structures, low fences, minor finish work, and limited like-for-like repairs.; Exemptions do not override planning, floodplain, grading, access, or right-of-way approvals.; Rural fill placement, floodplain work, and similar site work can still need separate county approvals even when a building permit is not required.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, OR? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, OR via: Public Permitting and Services portal, IVR inspection line, and SelecTXT text scheduling.
last verified April 2026
source Washington County Land Use and Transportation, Building Services ↗
entry id permits/oregon/washington/washington-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Washington County Land Use and Transportation, Building Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.