Eugene, OR Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- EC 8.005(7), Construction – Administration
- Technical code adopted by
- EC 8.010, covers structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire
- Permit expiration
- 360 days if work not started or inspected
- Certificate of occupancy
- Required before use under EC 8.005(15)
- First-offense penalty
- $50 to $200 civil penalty under EC 8.990
- Code currency
- Current through Ordinance 20739, June 8, 2026
Summary
Eugene requires a separate city permit before any building, structure or building service equipment covered by the technical code is erected, altered, repaired, moved, converted or demolished, and before a building's occupancy changes or a site is cleared or graded, under EC 8.005(7).
(7) When permits required. Except as otherwise provided by regulation adopted by the city manager, no change of occupancy of a building shall be made, no site may be cleared or graded, and no building, structure or building service equipment regulated by sections 8.005 through 8.010 and the technical codes shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate, appropriate permit for each building, structure, building service equipment, or site has first been approved by the city. The limitations of ORS 455.020 notwithstanding, permits are required to construct, alter, repair, move or demolish any structure as identified in sections 8.005 through 8.010 or the technical code except as exempted by a rule adopted by the city manager pursuant to this section or 8.010. Such permit shall be in addition to any other permit specifically required elsewhere by this code.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010 as the Oregon Specialty Codes covering structural, residential, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work, plus the fire code and standards for right-of-way and site work. Except where the city manager has adopted a specific exemption by rule, no building, structure or building service equipment may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished, no site may be cleared or graded, and no building's occupancy classification may change, until a separate, appropriate permit for that building, structure, equipment or site has been approved by the city.
635. 005(10)(d) if work isn't started within 360 days of issuance, or is suspended for 360 days, or if the holder fails to call for an inspection at least every 360 days. 005(15) requires the city manager to inspect and issue a certificate of occupancy; occupying a building without one is itself a violation.
Violations & Fines
Building, altering or demolishing a structure without the required EC 8.005 permit, or occupying a building before the city issues a certificate of occupancy under EC 8.005(15), violates Eugene Code chapter 8. Under EC 8.990, unpermitted work carries a civil penalty of $50 to $200 for a first offense, $200 to $400 for a second offense within 12 months, and a flat $500 for a third offense in that period, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
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