Clackamas County, OR Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Clackamas County Code § 9.02.310
- Duty holder
- Permit holder, not the county
- Permit expiration
- 180 days without an approved inspection
- Renewal fee after lapse
- Half fee (6-12 mo.), full fee (12 mo.+)
- Related section
- Code § 9.02.270 automatic expiration rules
Summary
Clackamas County puts the duty to schedule inspections on the permit holder, not the county: the permittee must request every required inspection, give inspectors site access, and keep the work exposed until it's approved. Skipping inspections doesn't just risk a stop-work order, it automatically expires the building permit.
It shall be the duty of the permit holder or their agent to request all necessary inspections in a timely manner and according to the policies of Clackamas County, provide access to the site, and provide all necessary equipment to make inspections as determined by the building official. The permit holder shall not proceed with construction until authorized by the building official. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Any expense incurred by the permit holder to remove or replace any material required for proper inspection shall be the responsibility of the permit holder or their agent. Failure to request inspections shall result in expiration of the permit as per Section 9.02.270. The county has no obligation, responsibility, or liability to follow up on permits for which necessary inspections have not been requested or which are at risk of expiration under Section 9.02.270. The permittee shall bear all such responsibility and liability.
Full Breakdown
' The permit holder cannot proceed with construction until the Building Official authorizes it, and must keep completed work 'accessible and exposed for inspection purposes,' meaning framing or utility runs may need to stay uncovered until sign-off. 270: the permit automatically expires if the work goes 180 days without an approved inspection, the same 180-day clock that applies if work is never commenced or is abandoned. The chapter states the county 'has no obligation, responsibility, or liability to follow up on permits for which necessary inspections have not been requested,' putting that risk on the permittee.
080 subjects any building within the dangerous-buildings chapter, and any work requiring a permit, to inspection by the Building Official. Inspection authority under both chapters rests with the Building Official and designated deputies, including the Deputy Building Codes Administrator and the Structural/Mechanical Inspector Supervisor.
Violations & Fines
Failing to call for inspections lets the permit lapse under Section 9.02.270, forcing the owner to renew it; if the lapse runs six months to a year the county charges half the original permit fee, or the full fee again past a year, plus hourly plan-review charges. Proceeding with construction the Building Official has not authorized, or covering work before it is inspected, is enforceable under Section 9.02.330 through injunction, abatement or other court action, and Section 9.02.280 adds an investigation fee for work started without a permit, whether or not a permit is ultimately issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for scheduling building inspections in Clackamas County?
What happens if I don't schedule an inspection in time?
Can I cover up work before the inspector sees it?
Who has authority to inspect a Clackamas County building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon building safety overview
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