To permit, or not to permit: that is the question

With winter behind us, many are thinking about 2019 home projects. We are looking forward to re-designing or making those long overdue maintenance tasks that have been on the list. Before you get started, you will want to answer the question: to permit, or not to permit? Building permits help protect you and your investment and ensure the thoroughness, quality and life/safety provisions are in place.

Top 10 common activities that would require a permit!

  1. Porches or decks. Where the floor or deck is more than 30 inches above adjacent ground measured at any point within 3 feet horizontally off the floor or deck, and wherein the case of a covered porch, the covered portion of the porch comes closer than 3 feet to a property line.

  2. Tool or storage sheds and playhouses. Non-habitable one-story detached accessory structures where the floor area exceeds 200 square feet and is higher than 10 feet measured from the finished floor level, to the average height of the roof surface.

  3. Fences. Installations, except for barriers around swimming pools as required in Appendix G of the ORSC, over 7 feet high and typical field fencing over 8 feet high not constructed of woven wire or chain link.
     
  4. Patio covers. As defined by the ORSC AH102, and porch covers over 200 square feet that are supported by an exterior wall. Any freestanding patio cover or similar structure with a roof.
     
  5. Door and window replacements. Where a structural member (header) is changed.
     
  6. Roofing. Re-roofing are required where more than 15 percent of the existing space sheathing is removed to facilitate the installation of new sheathing.
     
  7. Furnaces and air-conditioning units. Either new or replacements.
     
  8. Interior remodel. Anything that includes replacement of stove hoods or vents, and installation or replacement of bathroom and laundry exhausts.
     
  9. Plumbing fixtures. Sinks, toilets, washer/dryer room reconfiguration of drainage, and installation of wash sinks in laundry rooms or garages.
     
  10. Construction activity that disturbs 500 square feet of land. An erosion permit is required.

If you have any questions, contact our friendly Building Department staff at (503) 691-3044 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or stop by the City Offices at 18880 SW Martinazzi Avenue.