Clackamas County, OR Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Clackamas County Code § 9.02.040(D)
- Adopted code
- Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, OAR 918-251
- Residential permit base fee
- $277 up to 1,000 sq ft
- Permanent service fee range
- $165 to $907 by amperage
- Added plan review
- 25% of permit fee for high-risk work
Summary
Clackamas County enforces the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code as part of its own Building Code, so any new wiring, service upgrade or electrical alteration in the unincorporated county needs a county electrical permit. Fees run from $112 for a service reconnect to $907 for a permanent service over 1,000 amps.
D. The Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, as adopted by OAR Chapter 918, Division 251 except as modified in this Chapter, shall be enforced as part of this Chapter.
E. The Oregon Residential Specialty Code, as adopted by OAR Chapter 918, Division 480, except as modified in this Chapter, shall be enforced as part of this Chapter.
F. The manufactured dwelling park and mobile home park rules adopted by OAR Chapter 918 Division 600, except as modified in this Chapter, shall be enforced as part of this Chapter.
G. The manufactured structure rules adopted by OAR Chapter 918, Division 500, except as modified in this Chapter, shall be enforced as part of this Chapter.
H. The Recreational Park and Organizational Camp Rules adopted by OAR Chapter 918, Division 650, except as modified in this Chapter, shall be enforced as part of this Chapter.
I. Chapter 9.01 of the Clackamas County Code: Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings and Structures.
J. Chapter 9.03 of the Clackamas County Code: Excavation and Grading.
K. The On-Site Sewage Disposal Rules as adopted by OAR Chapter 340, Division 71 and OAR Chapter 340, Division 73, except as modified in this Chapter, shall be enforced as part of this Chapter.
L. The Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code as adopted by OAR Chapter 918, Division 460, except as modified in this Chapter, shall be enforced as part of this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
310: the Building Official reviews the application before issuing a permit, and the permit holder must request every required inspection. Appendix A's Electrical Fees schedule sets the numbers: a residential single- or multi-family dwelling unit up to 1,000 square feet, including attached garages, is $277, with $56 for each additional 500 square feet. Permanent service or feeder installations run from $165 for under 200 amps to $907 for over 1,000 amps, and temporary construction service follows its own scale from $96 to $907. 25 for each additional circuit, and limited-energy systems such as alarm and low-voltage wiring installed with the same permit run $112.
Electrical plan review, an added 25% of the permit fee, is required under OAR 918-311-0040 for higher-risk work such as services rated 400 amps or more with high fault current, 150 KVA or larger separately derived systems, fire pump or emergency system installations, buildings over three stories or 10,000 square feet, and occupant loads over 99 persons.
Violations & Fines
Performing electrical work without the required permit exposes the owner or contractor to an investigation under Section 9.02.280 and an investigation fee in addition to the eventual permit fee, whether or not a permit is issued afterward. The Building Official can refuse further permits or occupancy approval for the property under Section 9.02.260 while an electrical violation remains outstanding, and the county can pursue injunction, abatement or other enforcement under Section 9.02.330.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clackamas County require its own electrical permit?
How much does a residential electrical permit cost?
What electrical work needs extra plan review?
What happens if I skip the electrical permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
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