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Washington County, OR Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Adopted code
Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, OAR 918-305-0100
Enforced by
Washington County building official
Permit lapses
180 days without starting work
Permit voids
24 months after issuance
Unpermitted work
Triggers a special investigation fee
Penalty
Up to $100 per offense, § 14.04.430
Scope
Unincorporated county only

Summary

Washington County enforces the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code as its wiring standard for the unincorporated area "under the jurisdiction and authority of Washington County," and Building Services reviews plans and confirms fees before any permit issues. The same Chapter 14.04 permit clock applies: work must start within 180 days, and the permit voids after 24 months regardless.

City-specific rules exist: Hillsboro, and Beaverton have their own electrical permits rules that differ from Washington County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

14.04.290 - Electrical code. The Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, as adopted by OAR 918-305-0100, except as modified in this code, is enforced as part of this code under the jurisdiction and authority of Washington County.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Community Development Code: Supplement 2 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25).

Full Breakdown

290 adopts the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, set by OAR 918-305-0100, as the electrical standard "enforced as part of this code under the jurisdiction and authority of Washington County", language the code doesn't attach to any other specialty code in this chapter, underscoring that electrical inspection is the county's own call. 170). 200). 220). 430, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense, exposure that only grows the longer unpermitted wiring stays uncorrected.

Violations & Fines

An electrician who wires first and permits later doesn't avoid county review, § 14.04.220 requires a special investigation before any permit can issue, and the investigation fee stacks on top of the standard permit fee regardless of the outcome. Violating the adopted electrical code carries a fine of up to $100 per offense under § 14.04.430, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense, so uncorrected unpermitted wiring keeps accumulating penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a county permit for electrical work outside city limits?
Yes. Section 14.04.290 enforces the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code "under the jurisdiction and authority of Washington County," and Building Services must review your application and plans and confirm fees are paid before issuing the permit: this covers unincorporated areas only, not incorporated cities with their own building departments.
What if an electrician wires the job before pulling a permit?
Section 14.04.220 requires the county to conduct a special investigation before it can issue a permit for work already underway, and you're billed an investigation fee on top of the normal permit fee regardless of whether the permit is eventually granted.
How long does a Washington County electrical permit last?
Under § 14.04.200, the permit voids if work doesn't start within 180 days of issuance or sits abandoned for 180 days after starting, and it lapses automatically 24 months after issuance no matter what, unless the building official grants an extension.
What's the fine for an electrical code violation?
Section 14.04.430 sets a fine of up to $100 per offense for violating any Chapter 14.04 provision, including the adopted electrical code, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately, so the penalty compounds the longer noncompliant wiring goes uncorrected.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington County

Building PermitsSome RestrictionsPlumbing PermitsSome RestrictionsChildcare Center RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Washington County rules

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Electrical Permits in Cities Across Washington County

Hillsboro, ORBeaverton, OR