Jefferson County, OR - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Quick Start

Permit Authority

Primary building permit authority for unincorporated Jefferson County including rural and county territory outside incorporated city limits.

Department

Jefferson County Community Development Department

Address

85 SE D Street, Madras, OR 97741

Phone

(541) 475-4462

Website

https://www.jeffco.net/cd

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether property is located within an incorporated city; if yes, city approval required first before county permit issuance
2. Confirm zoning and land use compliance with Jefferson County Planning; land use approval must be obtained before structural/building permit application
3. For properties without public sewer, apply for on-site septic evaluation through the County Engineer with site plan, fees, and at least three test holes
4. Once land use and septic approvals are granted, submit site plan and building plan for county review under Oregon Building Codes
5. Create account in Oregon ePermitting and submit permit application online with required documents
6. County intake reviews for completeness; if incomplete, applicant contacted for missing items
7. Pay fees in Oregon ePermitting; permit routes to building review and applicable planning/septic review
8. After approvals and final fee payment, permit issued and construction may begin
9. Schedule required inspections through county or Oregon ePermitting

Source: Jefferson County Community Development Department

General Requirements

County requires permits for structural, dwelling, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, on-site/septic, and driveway access work. New construction, additions, replacement dwellings, detached structures, and regulated MEP work require permits.

Required Documents

• Building application
• Site plan
• Construction plans showing elevations and floor plans
• Structural details
• Any required septic/driveway approvals

Permit validity

Standard Oregon 180-day permit expiration applies; permits expire if final inspection not conducted within 180 days of issuance

Building code

Oregon State Building Code (OSSC, ORSC, OESC, OMSC, OPSC and specialty codes)

Owner-builder

County pages state homeowners may apply for permits; no separate local owner-builder policy beyond Oregon state law

Contractor requirements

Oregon licensing rules apply; most hired contractors need Oregon CCB license, electrical/plumbing contractors need both CCB and specialty BCD licenses

Fees

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based per Oregon state standards; county applies plan review and state surcharges

Payment note

County requires fee payment through Oregon ePermitting before permit issuance

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet and code height thresholds
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls up to 4 feet (measured from footing bottom to top) unless supporting surcharge or regulated building
• Painting, papering, tiling, cabinetry, countertops, floor coverings, and finish work
• Certain sidewalks, driveways, and flatwork not exceeding 30 inches above grade
• Small detached utility structures meeting ORSC exemption thresholds

Important: Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical exemptions are separate; applicants should verify with county before assuming work is exempt

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (541) 475-4462 (phone)
• Oregon ePermitting (online)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, stem wall, foundation, slab/flatwork, underfloor framing, framing, insulation, gypsum/lath, fireplace, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and final inspection as applicable

Additional Resources

• Building code: Oregon State Building Code (OSSC, ORSC, OESC, OMSC, OPSC and specialty codes)
• Verify contractor license: Oregon Construction Contractors Board
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Land Use Applications
• Accessory Dwelling Units
• Forms
• Oregon Building Codes Division - Adopted Codes
• License lookup guide: Oregon Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Oregon Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Oregon hub: Oregon Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Jefferson County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR?

County requires permits for structural, dwelling, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, on-site/septic, and driveway access work. New construction, additions, replacement dwellings, detached structures, and regulated MEP work require permits.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR?

Building permit fees in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per Oregon state standards; county applies plan review and state surcharges.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR?

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether property is located within an incorporated city; if yes, city approval required first before county permit issuance 2. Confirm zoning and land use compliance with Jefferson County Planning; land use approval must be obtained before structural/building permit application 3. For properties without public sewer, apply for on-site septic evaluation through the County Engineer with site plan, fees, and at least three test holes 4. Once land use and septic approvals are granted, submit site plan and building plan for county review under Oregon Building Codes 5. Create account in Oregon ePermitting and submit permit application online with required documents 6. County intake reviews for completeness; if incomplete, applicant contacted for missing items 7. Pay fees in Oregon ePermitting; permit routes to building review and applicable planning/septic review 8. After approvals and final fee payment, permit issued and construction may begin 9. Schedule required inspections through county or Oregon ePermitting

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR?

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet and code height thresholds; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls up to 4 feet (measured from footing bottom to top) unless supporting surcharge or regulated building; Painting, papering, tiling, cabinetry, countertops, floor coverings, and finish work; Certain sidewalks, driveways, and flatwork not exceeding 30 inches above grade; Small detached utility structures meeting ORSC exemption thresholds. Note: Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical exemptions are separate; applicants should verify with county before assuming work is exempt When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Jefferson County, OR via: (541) 475-4462, Oregon ePermitting.