Building Safety in Benton County, OR (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Benton County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Building Permits
The Benton County Building Code (Chapter 11) requires a permit application, plans and fees before the building official will authorize construction, alteration or repair work in the unincorporated county. Section 11.105 sets the review and issuance process, and § 11.130 requires a special investigation, with an added fee, whenever work needing a permit starts before one is obtained. Permits expire if work doesn't start within 180 days.
Building Permits Required in Unincorporated Benton County
Some RestrictionsBenton County Code §§ 11.105, 11.130
(1)The application, plans, specifications, computations and other data filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the building official. ... If the building official finds that the work described in application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees...
Electrical Permits
Electrical work in unincorporated Benton County is governed by the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, enforced under Benton County Code § 11.220. The building official reviews the application and inspects the work, and a decision on an electrical permit can be appealed straight to the state's Chief Electrical Inspector rather than to a county board.
Electrical Permits in Unincorporated Benton County
Some RestrictionsBenton County Code §§ 11.095, 11.145, 11.220
11.090 - Appeals. 11.095 - Appeal Procedure. (1)Any person aggrieved by a decision of the building official made pursuant to the following specialty codes may appeal that decision to the following:(a)Electrical Specialty Code - appeals may be made to the State of Oregon, Building Codes Division, Chief Electrical Inspector. ... 11.145 - Inspections. (1)It shall be the duty of the permit holder o...
Plumbing Permits
Plumbing work in unincorporated Benton County runs under the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, enforced locally under Benton County Code Chapter 11. The Community Development building official reviews plans and issues the permit once fees are paid; unpermitted or noncompliant work can draw a fine of up to $1,000 per violation, with each day a separate offense.
Plumbing Permits in Unincorporated Benton County
Some RestrictionsBenton County Code §§ 11.105, 11.210, 11.320
11.105 - Issuance. (1)The application, plans, specifications, computations and other data filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the building official. ... If the building official finds that the work described in application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and other pertinent laws and ordinances...
Building Inspections
Under Benton County Code § 11.145, it's the permit holder, not the county, who must request every required inspection, keep the job site accessible, and post an inspection record card so the building official can log each visit. Work can't proceed past an inspection point until the building official signs off, and the card has to stay available on site until final approval closes out the permit.
Benton County Puts Inspection Duty on Permit Holders
Some RestrictionsBenton County Code § 11.145
11.145 - Inspections.(1)It shall be the duty of the permit holder or authorized agent to request all inspections that may be necessary or otherwise required in a timely manner, provide access to the site, and to provide all equipment as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the building official. The permit holder shall not proceed with construction activity until authorized to do so by the...
All Benton County ordinances
See every category we cover for Benton County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Benton County Ordinance Hub →