Clackamas County, OR Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Clackamas County Code §§ 9.02.020, 9.02.240
- Triggers permit
- Construction, alteration, demolition, repair, moving
- Also covered
- Fences, retaining walls, towers, large flagpoles
- Base fee, 1&2 family
- $123 minimum, Appendix A
- Unpermitted work
- Investigation fee under § 9.02.280
Summary
Clackamas County requires a permit for construction, alteration, demolition, repair or moving of any building or structure in the unincorporated county, plus specific extras like retaining walls, fences, towers and large flagpoles. The Building Official issues the permit only after plans are reviewed and required fees are paid.
This chapter shall apply to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation (i.e. moving), demolition, repair, maintenance and work associated with any building or structure except when such work is located in a public right of public way. ... If the building official or deputy finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this chapter and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees have been paid, the building official shall issue a permit to the applicant.
Full Breakdown
' The section then extends that reach to specific work types even when not part of a conventional building: abatement of dangerous buildings, demolition, protection of adjoining property, retaining walls, fences, exterior tanks, telecommunication towers, ground-mounted flagpoles over 25 feet, unattached signs, piers and wharves, bridge structures outside a right of way, and agricultural-processing structures. It exempts fire safety during construction, structures within a right of way, floating structures, docks, small unoccupied equipment shelters of 250 square feet or less, NFIP administration, transitional housing accommodations, and small water tanks under 5,000 gallons with a low height-to-diameter ratio.
240 governs the permit itself: the Building Official reviews the application, plans, specifications and other data, and if the work conforms to the requirements of the chapter and other pertinent laws and ordinances and the fees are paid, the Building Official issues a permit. Partial permits can issue for part of a project before full plans are approved, at the applicant's risk. Building permit fees for a 1&2 family dwelling start at $123 for the first $500 of valuation and scale up per Appendix A of the Clackamas County Code, plus a 65% plan review charge on new construction.
Violations & Fines
Doing work that requires a permit without first obtaining one triggers a mandatory investigation under Section 9.02.280, plus an investigation fee charged in addition to the permit fee 'whether or not a permit is ever issued.' The Building Official may refuse further permits, occupancy or completion certificates for the property under Section 9.02.260 if it is in violation of county ordinance or the State Building Code, and the county can seek injunction, abatement or other court remedies under Section 9.02.330.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers a building permit in unincorporated Clackamas County?
Is anything exempt from Clackamas County's building permit chapter?
How much does a Clackamas County building permit cost?
Can I start part of a project before my full permit is approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.