FAQs • Silverton, OR • CivicEngage

Why do I have to buy a permit to build on my own property?: Oregon law requires you to obtain permits, even on your own property, to ensure that minimum building standards are met for your own safety and for the safety of future property owners and occupants.

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Building Department

1. When does my permit expire?: Permits are good for six months from the date of issue or last inspection, whichever is later. If you experience a delay in your project, you may request an extension for an additional six months.

2. When are permits required and who is responsible?: Permits are required for all new construction, manufactured dwellings and alterations or additions to existing buildings. This includes structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical changes. Either the property owner or the contractor is responsible for obtaining structural, mechanical, plumbing, and manufactured dwelling set-up permits. Oregon law requires that if an electrical contractor performs the work, the contractor is responsible for obtaining the permit. Permits are non-transferable.

3. Do I need a permit to build a playhouse or a garden/storage shed?

You do not need a permit for a non-habitable one-story detached accessory structure used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet and the height is no more than 15 feet as measured from the finished floor to the average height of the roof surface.

All detached accessory structures must maintain a minimum set back of 20 feet from the front and 5 feet from rear and side property lines regardless of whether a permit is required or not.

4. When do I need a building (structural) permit?

A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, move or demolish any one- or two-family dwelling or related structure. For example:

add a room
build, demolish, or move a carport, garage, or shed of more than 200 square feet
finish an attic, garage, or basement to make additional living space
cut a new window or door opening, or widen existing openings # move, remove, or add walls
apply roofing when all of the old roofing is removed and new sheathing is installed
build a stairway
build a retaining wall more than four feet high
build a deck more than 30 inches above grade
put up a fence more than six feet high
move more than 50 cubic yards of earth or any amount of cut or fill on sites affected by waterways or slope hazards

5. What structural work can I do without a permit?

Paint buildings that are not historic landmarks;
Blow insulation into existing homes;
Replace interior wall, floor or ceiling covering, such as wallboard or sheet vinyl. Removal or alteration of wall(s), regardless of whether they are load-bearing or not, requires a permit with plan submission;
Put up shelving and cabinets
Install gutters and downspouts;
Replace or repair siding on a wall that is three feet or more from a property line;
Replace roofing on single family or duplex homes where the weight of the replacement or repair does not exceed 30 percent of the roof's designed live load carrying capacity and is not required to be fire resistant;
Install storm windows and/or replace doors or windows in an existing opening;
Build a fence up to six feet high;
Pave a walkway that is not in the public right of way;
Build a patio or deck that is not more than 30 inches above grade. However, if a patio cover is built, a permit is required.

*All modifications to residential houses or units that are intended for sale, lease, rent, or exchange; or, commercial structures or units, require that the work be done by a contractor licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractor's Board (CCB).

6. When do I need an electrical permit?

A permit is required to do the following:

Install or alter any permanent wiring or electrical device.

Run additional wiring, put in an electrical outlet or light fixture, install a receptacle for a garage-door opener, or convert from fuse box to circuit breakers.

Install or alter permanent low-voltage systems such as security alarms or stereo or computer systems.

You must be both the owner and the occupant of a dwelling to obtain a permit to do electrical work yourself. You may not perform any electrical installations or modifications on a house or residential unit that is intended for sale, lease, rent, or exchange.

7. What electrical work can I do without a permit?: If you are both the owner AND the occupant of a dwelling, a permit is not required to replace electrical appliances or to perform the maintenance on an existing electrical installation.
If you are not sure if you need a permit, please call the building department at (503) 874-2207.

8. When do I need a plumbing permit?

A plumbing permit is required to do the following:

Replace water heaters, alter piping inside a wall or ceiling or beneath a floor, and for plumbing in all new installations.

Repair, alteration, or replacement of freeze-damaged or leaking concealed piping, if new piping exceeds 3 feet.

Remodeling or adding on to your one or two family dwelling when existing plumbing is to be relocated. This includes installation of building sewers, water service, and exterior rain drains.

9. What plumbing can I do without a permit?: A plumbing permit is not required in the following circumstances: When a property owner does “ordinary minor repairs” to plumbing systems on his or her own property where he or she resides, which means repair, replacement, or maintenance of existing accessible fixtures, parts, and appliances and their related water and drain attachments. Do not alter an existing plumbing system without a permit. When a property owner or licensed plumber performs emergency repairs to, or replacement of, freeze-damaged or leaking concealed piping, provided new piping doesn’t exceed 3 feet in length.

10. When do I need a permit for mechanical work?

A permit is required to do the following:

Install or change any part of a heating or cooling system that must be vented into any kind of chimney, including unvented decorative appliances

Install a woodstove, fireplace insert, pellet stove, or related venting

Install, alter, or repair gas piping between the meter and an appliance (indoors or outdoors)

Install bath fans, dryer exhausts, kitchen range exhausts, and appliances that are required to be vented

11. What is mechanical work?: Mechanical work on one- or two-family dwellings includes work on heating, cooling, or ventilation systems, including bath vents and woodstoves. Installation, alteration, or repair of gas piping between the meter and an appliance or other equipment, including all liquefied petroleum gas piping, is also considered mechanical work.

12. Why do I have to buy a permit to build on my own property?: Oregon law requires you to obtain permits, even on your own property, to ensure that minimum building standards are met for your own safety and for the safety of future property owners and occupants.