Do I Need A Permit?

Commercial Buildings

The answer is almost always Yes!

All construction, except one and two family dwellings and their accessory structure, are subject to the requirements of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code.   The only exemptions are listed in Sec.106. and they are as follows:

1. Farm agricultural buildings complying with ORS 455.310
2. Fences not over 6 feet high
3. Oil derricks
4. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5’ 9” high
5. Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height and not supporting a surcharge or impounding  Class 1, 11 or 111-A liquids
6. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height to diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2:1
7. Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30” above grade and not over any basement or story below
8. Painting, papering and similar finish work
9. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery

Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required for the above items where appropriate. 

*Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed as to grant authorization for work done in violation of the provisions of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code or any other laws or ordinances of the county.*

Do I need an Architect for Commercial Buildings?

In general, the erection, enlargement, or alteration of any commercial building where the resulting building has a ground area more than 4000 square ft, or is more than 20 feet in height from the top surface of the lowest floor to the highest interior overhead finish, requires plans prepared and signed by an engineer or architect licensed by the State of Oregon.

The Plans examiner may require engineering calculations for any structure to demonstrate compliance with the structural provisions of the code if the construction does not comply with the “Conventional Construction” provisions of Sec.2517.

Persons wishing to construct agricultural buildings must make application for exemption through Deschutes County Community Development Department, and are exempt only if they comply with ORS.455.315.  Non-structural alterations or repairs are exempt from the above requirements.

Residential Buildings - One and Two Family Dwellings

It is not the intent of the dwelling code to require permits for minor repairs, general maintenance or minor improvements, when such work is done on a one or two family residence or accessory building.

The following items, associated with one and two family dwellings, which do not encroach on subsurface disposal systems, setbacks or into required yards, are exempt from permits and fees:

1. Porches and decks where the floor or deck is not more than 30 inches above grade and where the edge of the porch, deck or floor does not come closer than 3 feet to property lines.
2. Fences not more than 6 feet high except for barriers around swimming pools (Appendix G).
3. Retrofitted insulation.
4. Concrete sidewalks, slabs, and driveways not more than 30” above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below.
5. Driveways: a driveway “access” permit is required.
6. Masonry repair (excluding fireplaces).
7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, interior wall, floor or ceiling covering and similar finish work.
8. Non-bearing partitions except when such partitions create habitable rooms.
9. Gutters and down spouts.
10. Door and window replacements (where no structural member is changed nor glass replaced).
11. Plastic glazed storm windows.
12. Replacement or repair of siding not required to be fire-resistant.
13. Uninhabitable, one-story, detached accessory buildings not over 200 square feet or a height of 10 feet measured to the highest point.
14. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall when projecting not more than 54 inches.
15. Retaining walls that are not over 4 ft in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
16. Pre-fabricated swimming pools that are less than 24” deep.
17. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed  5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
18. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one-or two-family dwelling.
19. Framed-covered accessory buildings not more than 500 sqr ft in area, one story in height or closer than 3 ft to the property line, where the structure is composed of a rigid framework to support tensioned membrane that provides a weather barrier.

See ORS 455.320 for exemptions of room sizes, ceiling heights and maintenance of specific temperature levels

All other construction for one and two family dwellings requires permits and fees.

"Do I Need an Architect for One and Two Family Dwellings?"

Anyone may prepare plans for a single family dwelling or a multi-unit dwelling with a ground area less than 4000 square feet and not more than 20 feet in height to the highest interior finish (ORS 671.030).  Structural calculations may be required by the Plans examiner if the construction methods do not comply with the prescriptive requirements of the one and two family dwelling code.  *Residential accessory buildings over 1000 square feet must comply with the design requirements of the Structural Specialty Code.*

Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed as to grant authorization for work done in violation of the provisions of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code or any other laws or ordinances of the county.*