When are structural permits required?
A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter or move any one or two-family dwelling or related structure.
For example:
- Add a room.
- Build or move a carport, garage or shed of more than 200 square feet.
- Finish an attic, garage or basement to make additional living space.
- Cut a new window or door opening or widen existing openings.
- Move, remove or add walls (also see below “what work will NOT require a permit”).
- Apply roofing when the old roofing is removed and new sheathing is installed.
- Build a stairway.
- Build a retaining wall more than four feet high.
- Put up a fence more than six feet high.
- Swimming pool barriers.
What type of project does NOT require a structural permit?
- Detached (not attached to the dwelling) residential accessory buildings (storage building, shed etc.) not over 200 sf or 10′ high, or 120 sf if it is a commercial use. NOTE: Zoning approval will still be required. Contact the local planning department particularly if the project is within the National Scenic Area (NSA) Boundary.
- Fences not over 6′ high.
- Retaining walls not over 4’ high.
- Sidewalks, slabs, driveways not more than 30” above the adjacent grade or over a basement or story below.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, interior wall, floor or ceiling covering and similar finish work.
- Swings and other playground equipment.
- Window awnings which do not project more than 54” from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
- Nonbearing partitions, except when the partition creates a habitable room.
- Replacement or repair of siding.
- Retrofitted insulation.
- Masonry repair.
- Porches and decks not more than 30” above the adjacent grade and not closer than 3’ to the property line.
- Gutters and downspouts.
- Door and window replacement where no structural member is changed.
- Reroofing where the roof sheathing is not changed.
- Plastic glazed storm windows.
What are the building permit fees?
- Building permit fees are based on the valuation of the work to be done. If new construction or an addition, new garage, carport etc, see the
- If the work is an alteration or remodel, the valuation will be based on the contractor’s bid amount. If the owner is doing the work, provide a reasonable estimate of the materials to be used. The estimate also must include the labor value.
- After determination of the valuation, see the schedule.
What information will I need to get a permit?
- The address of the property.
- Zoning and sanitation approval.
- The owner’s name, address and phone number.
- If a contractor is doing the work, the contractor’s name, address, phone number and State Construction Contractor’s Board number.
- Two sets of plans that clearly show all work on the building and where the building is located on the property. See the sample plans.
When is zoning approval required in order to get a building permit?
- Any new structure.
- Any addition onto an existing structure.
- Porches, patio covers etc.
- Any change of use, for example – changing the garage into living area.
- Fences over 6’ high, retaining walls over 4’ high.
Where do I get zoning approval?
Zoning approval will come from the City or County where the structure is being constructed. For instance, if inside the City of The Dalles – contact the City Planning Department. Other cities may not have a planning department, call City Hall. Outside an incorporated city, call the local County Courthouse.
When is sanitation approval required in order to get a building permit?
- Any new dwelling.
- Any addition to a dwelling, increasing the number of bedrooms.
- Any project where the new construction will be less than 5’ from a septic tank or 10’ from the septic system.
- Outbuildings containing plumbing.
- Outbuildings if on a small lot where the septic system or replacement area are in question.
- Any commercial building containing a new bathroom.
- Any commercial building increasing number of employees (verify with appropriate sanitation office).
- Catalog plans often have the copyright stamp in red. If there is a copyright stamp, the original or red copies will need to be submitted to our office. Be extremely cautious that revisions to these plans do not violate the copyright. We suggest you contact the designer to confirm you’re not violating the copyright.
When are engineered plans or plans prepared by an architect required?
- See the
- If the structure exceeds 4000 sf, an Oregon registered architect or engineer is required to prepare and stamp the plans. NOT applicable to a single family dwelling or its accessory building.
- If the project is a structural alteration or addition to a building, with the total building area exceeding 4,000 sf, engineered plans will be required. NOTE: Even if the addition is very small, engineering is required if the TOTAL building area exceeds 4,000 sf. Not applicable to a single family dwelling or its accessory building.
- If an existing building exceeds 4,000 sf or 20’ in height and there is a change of occupancy, an Oregon registered architect or engineer is required. Not applicable to a single family dwelling or its accessory building.
- Any building that does not comply with the prescriptive path requirements of the building code may require engineering to document structural adequacy. For instance, the following would require engineering: NOTE: These are only examples – other instances often require engineering also.
- A steel frame building and its foundation system. NOTE: The foundation system is typically separate from the steel building engineering, but must also be engineered.
- A pole building, depending on its location, size and height (typically if over 12’ high, engineering will likely be required).
- Buildings that have excessive beam spans, insufficient lateral bracing etc.
