Bend, OR Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Bend Code § 9.10.010
- Adopted codes
- Oregon Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Residential codes
- Wildfire trigger
- Citywide; Residential Code Section R327 applies
- Permit expiration
- 180 days if work not commenced
- Extension available
- Up to 180 more days, one request
Summary
The City of Bend administers building permits through the Building Official under Bend Code § 9.10.010, who enforces the State-adopted Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Residential Specialty Codes across all of Bend, an area the code treats as one established Wildfire Hazard Zone. Permits issued under those codes lapse if work is not commenced within 180 days.
The City of Bend Building Official is authorized to administer and enforce this chapter and the following State of Oregon Codes for the City of Bend, and shall have all authority granted by these codes, including provisions applicable in Wildfire Hazard Zones, as all areas within Bend City limits are within an established Wildfire Hazard Zone: A. The Oregon Structural Specialty Code; ... E. ... The Oregon Residential Specialty Code, including provisions relating to wildfire hazard mitigation (Section R327, as it may be renumbered or amended), which shall apply in all areas within the Bend City limits; ... A. ... Every permit issued by the Building Official shall expire and become null and void if the building or work authorized by the permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of the permit, or if the building or work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days.
Full Breakdown
010 places the whole determination in the hands of the Building Official, who is authorized to administer and enforce this chapter and the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code and the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, plus the manufactured dwelling park, manufactured dwelling and recreational park rules, for the City of Bend. 30 Wildfire Hazard Zone was repealed and folded into this section. 030 makes clear it is not a license to violate any other code or ordinance, and the Building Official can still require correction of construction-document errors after the fact.
050(A) states that a permit shall expire and become null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after it starts, though the Building Official can grant a single extension of up to 180 days on written request if the applicable codes and land use standards have not changed. 060.
Violations & Fines
A violation of BC Chapter 9.10, including work done without a required permit, is a Class A civil infraction under BC 9.10.070 unless a specialty code or State law sets a different penalty, with every day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. The Building Official can also suspend or revoke a permit issued in error or based on incorrect information under BC 9.10.040, and a cited person can request a hearing before a City-appointed hearings officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces building permit requirements in Bend?
How long is a Bend building permit good for before work must start?
Does Bend have a separate wildfire hazard zone permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bend
Compare Bend to another location·View the Oregon building safety overview
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