Bend, OR Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Entry authority
- Building Official, reasonable times
- Occupied property
- Credentials must be presented
- Unoccupied property
- Reasonable effort to locate owner first
- Inspection lapse
- 180 days with no inspection voids permit
- Stop work order
- Issued in writing, work ceases immediately
- Violation class
- Class A civil infraction, up to $750
Summary
The City of Bend Building Official may enter a structure at reasonable times to inspect for code compliance, must show credentials to an occupant, and can issue a stop work order the moment work is found to be unsafe or performed contrary to the adopted code.
Right of Entry. Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code or to exercise the authority of the Building Official, or where the Building Official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a structure or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this code which makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the Building Official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this code; provided, that if such structure or premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry required. ... Authority. ... Whenever the Building Official finds any work regulated by any code of this jurisdiction being performed in a manner either contrary to the provisions of this code or any other code of this jurisdiction or dangerous or unsafe, the Building Official is authorized to issue a stop work order.
Full Breakdown
015(B) gives the Building Official the right of entry needed to enforce Bend's adopted building codes: whenever an inspection is necessary to enforce the code, or the Building Official has reasonable cause to believe a structure or premises holds an unsafe, dangerous or hazardous condition, the Building Official may enter at reasonable times to inspect or carry out duties under the code. If the structure is occupied, the Building Official must present credentials and request entry; if it is unoccupied, the Building Official must first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or person in charge and request entry, and only if entry is refused does the Building Official turn to the legal remedies available to secure it.
050 treats a 180-day gap with no approved inspection as abandonment of the permitted work, voiding the permit. 020 authorizes the Building Official to issue a written stop work order to the property owner, the owner's agent, or the person doing the work; the cited work must cease immediately, and the order states both the reason for the stoppage and the conditions under which the work may resume. 025 if a structure is used contrary to the codes adopted by this chapter, until compliance is verified in writing.
Violations & Fines
Refusing lawful entry for an inspection, ignoring a stop work order, or continuing occupancy after the Building Official has ordered it discontinued is enforced as a Class A civil infraction under BC 9.10.070, punishable by up to $750 per BC 1.40.080, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense. A cited party is entitled to a hearing before a hearings officer appointed by the City Manager who is not a Building Division employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the City of Bend's Building Official enter my property to inspect?
What if I refuse a building inspection in Bend?
How does a stop work order work in Bend?
Does skipping inspections affect my Bend building permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bend
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