Multnomah County, OR Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family & duplex
- exempt from CO requirement
- Issuing authority
- County Building Official
- Partial completion
- temporary certificate allowed
- Certificate
- must be posted on premises
- Scope
- unincorporated county only, not Portland
Summary
Before a covered building in unincorporated Multnomah County can be occupied or its use changed, the Building Official must confirm Zoning Code compliance and issue a Certificate of Occupancy: single-family and duplex homes are exempt.
(A) No building or structure, except single family and duplex dwellings, and no land shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy of a building, structure or land or portion thereof shall be made, until a Certificate of Occupancy as required by the Building Code has been issued by the Building Official.
(B) Changes in the use of a building, structure or of land shall not be made except in compliance with the provisions of the Zoning Code.
(C) If it is found that the building, structure or land complies with the provisions of the Zoning Code, the Building Official shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy as required by the Building Code.
(D) A temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued by the Building Official for the use of a portion or portions of a building or land prior to the completion or occupation of the entire building or use.
(E) The Certificate of Occupancy shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises and shall not be removed except by the Building Official. (Ord. 1264, Added, 10/25/2018)
(S-1 - LU 2018)
6 (pages 6-10 blank)
Multnomah County – Chapter 29 - Building Regulations
(S-1 – LU 2018)
Full Breakdown
The county adopts the state structural, mechanical, and one- and two-family dwelling specialty codes by reference (§ 29.003), and the Building Official enforces the inspections those codes require. The local capstone is § 29.014: no building or structure except single-family and duplex dwellings, and no land, may be used or occupied or have its occupancy changed until the Building Official finds it complies with the Zoning Code and issues a Certificate of Occupancy. A temporary certificate can cover part of a building before the whole project is finished, and the certificate must stay posted on the premises. This governs unincorporated county land only. Portland runs its own building department and issues its own occupancy approvals.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or changing the use of a covered building without the required Certificate of Occupancy violates § 29.014; the space cannot lawfully be used until the Building Official confirms compliance and issues the certificate, or a temporary one for partial completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do single-family homes need a Certificate of Occupancy in Multnomah County?
Can I use part of a building before construction is finished?
Does this rule apply if I live in Portland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon building safety overview
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