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Building Codes

Building Codes

Building Codes

Should My Building Be Ag Exempt?

If you’re planning to build a structure for farming, forestry, equine (horse-related), or dog training facility use, your project may qualify for an Agricultural Building Exemption (Ag Exemption) under state law (ORS 455.315).

This exemption allows certain agricultural buildings to be built without a building permit—but it also comes with important limitations. Before deciding, review the key differences below to see which path is right for your project.

Before you start, check your zoning

Ag Exemptions only apply to properties zoned for farm or forest use. If you’re unsure about your zoning, please contact our Planning Department office at zoninginfo@clackamas.us before proceeding.

Option 1: apply for a building permit

A permitted building gives you flexibility and long-term peace of mind.

Benefits:

  • You can use the building for public access or events.
  • You’re not limited to 10 people in non-growing areas.
  • It meets full building code standards, helping with safety and resale value.

Things to know:

  • Getting a permit means paying all related fees (building, system development charges, school taxes, etc.).
  • It can save time and money later. Converting an Ag Exempt structure to a permitted one can be complex and costly.

Option 2: apply for an Agricultural Building Exemption

An Ag Exemption may be right for you if your building will be used only for agricultural operations and not open to the public.

Benefits:

  • No building permit or building-related inspections required.
  • No system development charges (SDCs) are assessed.

Things to know:

  • You’ll still need land use approval and possibly other permits (erosion control, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing).
  • You can’t host public events or allow public access in the building.
  • You’re limited to 10 people at a time in non-growing areas.
  • If you later decide to make the building permitted, it may require engineering reviews, code upgrades, and inspections.

Still unsure?

If you’re unsure which path suits your project, we can help. Contact our Building Division at bldservice@clackamas.us  to discuss your plans with permit staff or submit a zoning inquiry.

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Electrical Plan Review Rules

The Oregon Building Codes Agency has adopted rules to create uniformity for Electrical Plan Review requirements.

Time in review

Electrical plan reviews should be approved or denied within 10 working days from the receipt of the complete electrical plans. If denied because of deficiencies, written notification will be given. Upon re-submission, the 10 day review time starts again. When the complexity or size of a project requires more than the 10 working days, we will notify the permit holder of needed time for completion. When plans have been submitted with proper electrical application, Clackamas County will issue a permit number and may allow limited courtesy inspections to prevent construction delays.

Plan review standards

Review is required for any of the following:

  1. Ampacity:
    1. A service or feeder beginning at 400 Amps where the available fault current exceeds 10,000 Amps at 150 Volts or less to ground or exceeds 14,000 Amps for all other installations.
    2. Installation of a 150 KVA or larger separately derived system
    3. Addition of a new motor load of 100 HP or more
    4. Fire pump installations as defined in Article 695 of the NEC
    5. Emergency systems installations as defined in Article 700 of the NEC
    6. A service or feeder rated 600 Amps or over.
  2. Voltage. More than 600 supply volts nominal.
  3. Height. More than three stories.
  4. Occupancy.
    1. Six or more residential units in one structure
    2. An "A" (Assembly) occupancy, "E" (Educational) occupancy, or "I-2" or "I-3" (Institutional) occupancy as defined in the adopted Oregon Structural Specialty Code
    3. Any of the following special occupancies as described in Chapter 5 of the NEC adopted by the board in OAR 918-305-0100:
      1. Hazardous (Classified) locations as defined in Articles 500 to 516
      2. Installations in patient care areas of health care facilities as defined in Article 517
      3. Agricultural buildings used for commercial purposes, as defined in Article 547
      4. Floating buildings as defined in Article 553
      5. Marinas and boat yards as defined in Article 555
  5. Recreational Vehicle Park. A new recreational vehicle park, or any addition or alteration to an existing park.

Required information and format

Submittals shall include:

  1. Two sets of electrical floor plans, including the building and site plans where applicable;
  2. Plans must be drawn to scale, clear enough to indicate the location, nature and extent of work proposed.
  3. Plans Shall contain the following minimum requirements:
    1. Service / Feeder riser diagram showing panel location and circuit schedules
    2. One line riser diagram showing bonding and grounding and conductor sizes
    3. Available fault current on line side of service disconnect
    4. Complete load calculations for new work or provide applicable load records, for all new installations and for additions to existing installation
    5. Fixture schedule, showing type, location and layout of all fixtures
    6. Address of installation, and name and address of owner
    7. Identification of the employer, identification and signature of person who prepared the plan, license number if the person is an Electrical Supervisor or professional registration number if the person is an Architect or Registered Professional Electrical Engineer.
    8. Location of emergency systems identifying the power source and the system on plan.
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Building Fees

Our fee schedule and tools are meant to assist you in estimating building fees.

Actual building fees vary from project to project. Final project fees may include items we collect on behalf of other agencies, e.g. 12% of all fees collected are returned to the State.

Additionally, projects within the City of Canby use their adopted fee schedule.

We will discuss specific fees with you when you submit your plans or application.

Use our Fee Estimator

Fee schedules

General Inspections
Inspections outside normal business hours$120/hr + OT (min 4-hr charge)
Re-inspection fees$120
Inspections with no specific fee listed (min. ½ hour)$120/hr
Additional plan review required by change, additions or revisions to approved plans$120/hr (min 1-hr charge)
Residential Certificate of Occupancy (charged when permit is issued)$42.50
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (commercial)$120/hr (min. 2-hr charge)
Certificate of Occupancy (commercial)$120/hr (min. 2-hr charge)
1- and 2-family mechanical min. permit fee and re-inspection fee$120
For each supplemental permit$21
Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Air conditioner$18
Alteration of existing HVAC system$18
Fire/smoke dampers/duct smoke detectors$12
Heat pump$18
Install/replace/relocate heaters - suspended, wall or floor-mounted$18
Vent for appliance other than furnace$12
Environmental exhaust and ventilation
Appliance vent$12
Exhaust fan with single duct (bath fans)$9
Dryer exhaust$9
Hoods: Type l/ll residential kitchen/hazmat hood fire suppression systems$12
Exhaust system apart from heating and AC$9
Fuel piping and distribution (up to 4 outlets)$5
Fuel piping (more than 4 outlets, each additional)$2
Fireplaces/Stoves
Decorative fireplace$18
Insert-type$18
Woodstove/pellet stove$18
HVAC Air Handling Unit
0–10K CFM$12
Over 10K CFM$23
Boiler/Compressor
to 3HP/100K BTU$18
to 15hp/500k BTU$33
to 30HP/1.00m BTU$44
to 50HP/1.75m BTU$68
Over 50HP/1.75 BTU$109
Furnace
Up to 100K BTU$18
Over 100K BTU$23
Refrigeration
Absorption unit to 100k BTU$18
Over 100k BTU$23
Chillers/Compressors
Up to 3HP/100K BTU$18
to 15HP/500K BTU$33
to 30HP/1.00m BTU$44
to 50HP/1.75m BTU$68
Over 50HP/1.75 BTU$109
Fuel Piping
0–4 outlets$5
Each additional (4 or more outlets requires a schematic)$2
Residential plan review (when applicable)25% of permit fee
Other
Water heater$9
Cook top$12
Gas logs$12
LPG tanks/regulators$12
Mechanical Commercial
($85 min. + fee based on valuation as listed below. Note fees are based on valuation minimum)
$1–$5,000$120
$5,001–$10,000$120 + $1.66 for each $100 of value over $5,000
$10,001–$100,000$203 + $12.34for each $1,000 of value over $10,000
$100,000 +$1,314 + $8.47for each $1,000 of value over $100,000
Commercial plan review25% of base HVAC fee
Manufactured Dwellings, Park Trailers, Cabanas
Site installation/set up fee for manufactured dwelling, park trailer or cabana$407
Earthquake-resistant bracing system installation (in addition to site described above)$103 installation fee
Re-inspection (fee must be paid prior to next inspection)$120/inspection
Installation w/o permitsActual cost of investigation
Inspections outside normal business hours$120/hr (min. 4 hrs OT rate)
OR Mfg. Dwelling Standard publication (required when no installer is involved)$12
Mobile home park construction and recreational park developmentVaries w/ number of spaces
Electrical 
includes a prescribed number of inspections; see electrical permit application for quantities

Electrical plan review required for new construction and alterations in the following locations per OAR 918-311-0040:

  • Service or feeder beginning at 400 amps with available fault current greater than 10,000 amps at 150 volts or less to ground, or any system greater than 14,000 volts
  • Installation of 150 KVA or larger separately derived system per Article 100 of the NEC
  • Addition of a new motor load greater than 100 HP
  • Fire pump installations as defined in Article 695 of the NEC
  • Emergency systems installations as defined in Article 700 of the NEC
  • Six or more residential units in one structure or any A, E, 1-2 or
    1-3 occupancies as defined in the Oregon Structural Specialty Code 25% of permit fee
  • Service or feeder rated at 60 amps or over
  • System over 600 supply volts nominal
  • Building more than 3 stories in height
  • Building over 10,000 sq. ft.
  • Occupant load over 99 persons
  • Manufactured structures park or recreational vehicle park; new addition or alterations
  • Classified area or structure containing special occupancy as described in NEC Chapter 5

 

Residential single- or multi-family dwelling units including attached garages and covered areas not more than 1,000 sq. ft.$270
Each additional 500 sq. ft.$55
Limited energy: up to 2 inspections only$109
Limited energy, residential$109
Limited energy, multi-family$109
Note: This fee covers all limited energy systems in residential occupancies when installed at the same time by the permittee. Installations such as antenna wire, computer wire and alarm wire done by other contractors require separate permits and fees. No limited energy permit is required if the original permittee installs wire for doorbells, garage door openers, and heating and air conditioning controls.
Manufactured home service or feeder$109
Temp. Const. Service, Feeder
Less than 200 amps$94
201–400 amps$200
401–600 amps$270
601–1000 amps$482
Over 1000 amps$882
Permanent Service, Feeder
Less than 200 amps$161
201–400 amps$213
401–600 amps$321
601–1000 amps$482
>1000 amps$882
Service reconnect only$109
Branch Circuits
new, alteration, extension per panel
With purchase service or feeder$12
Without purchase service or feeder: 
• First circuit$90
• Each additional circuit$12
Renewable Electrical Energy
5 KVA or less (2)$144
5.01–15 KVA (2)$169
15.01–25 KVA (2)$280
Misc. fees$120/hr.
Each additional inspection$120
Special Fees
Water/sewer pump; Septic circuits$109
Sign/outline lighting$109
Signal circuit/limited energy panel, alteration or extension$109
Minimum permit fee and re-inspection fee$120
Master permit fee (aka electrical in-plant inspections)$120/hour
Commercial/Industrial Structural Code
Regular plan review65% of building permit fee
Fire, life, safety review in conjunction with regular plan review35% of building permit fee
Fire, life, safety review independently40% of building permit fee
$1–$500$120
$501–$2,000$120
$2,001–$25,000$120 + $7.40/$1,000 over $2,000 to $25,000
$25,001–$50,000$290 + $6.72/$1,000 over $25,000 to $50,000
$50,001–$100,000$458 + $4.48/$1,000 over $50,001
$100,001 +$682 + $3.75 for each additional $1,000
1- and 2-Family Structural
New Construction, Additions, Remodels, Alterations
Regular plan review65% of building permit fee
$1–$500$120
$501–$2,000$120
$2,001 - $25,000$120 + $7.40/$1,000 over $2,000 to $25,000
$25,001 - $50,000$290 + $6.72/$1,000 over $25,000 to $50,000
$50,001 to $100,000$458 + $4.48/$1,000 over $100,000
$100,000 +$682 + $3.75 for each $1,000
Research fee$120/hour (1 hr minimum)

Plumbing

Minimum Permit Fee: $120

Plumbing plan review is required for new construction and alterations in the following locations per OAR 918-780-0040: Medical gas and vacuum systems in health care facilities; Chemical drain, waste, and vent systems; Sewer waste water pretreatment systems; Vacuum drainage, waste and vent systems; Reclaimed waste water systems; Commercial potable water pressure booster pumps for water supplied by a municipality; Building water service lines with an interior diameter of 2 inches or larger (2 inch water service stamped by professional engineer is exempt); Residential multi-purpose fire sprinkler systems.25% - this is a proposed reduction to our current fee structure to make our plan review percentages equal across all permit types (M/P/E) and also to move our plumbing plan review fee in line with industry standards.
1 & 2 family dwellings 
   1 bath$761
   2 baths$864
   3 baths$956
   each additional bathroom or half$87
   each additional kitchen$87
Note: These fees include rainwater disposal system, including leaders & drains to approved disposal area, plumbing fixtures or waste discharging devices, including drain, waste & vent piping, water piping, hot water heaters, the first 100 ft of water service & sanitary sewer line & under floor low point drain.
Sanitary Sewer$145
Water closet$31
Shower bath$31
Bathtub$31
Basin, Lav.$31
Sink, kitchen$31
Dishwasher$31
Disposal$31
Clothes Washer$31
Water Heater$31
Laundry Tray or Service Sink$31
Floor Drains$31
Bar Sinks$31
Ice Maker$31
House moves (not including storm, sanitary sewer or water service inspection$91
Prefabricated Commercial Structures (not including storm or sanitary sewer, or water service inspection$182
Hub/Case Drain$31
Floor sinks$31
Drinking Fountain$31
Urinals/Toilets$31
Water System/First 100 ft.$100
Water System – additional 100 ft. between 101 ft and 200 ft in length$100
Water System - Each additional 100 ft. above 200 ft in length$25
Storm Sewer – First 100 ft or less$110
Storm Sewer – each add’l 100 ft.$74
Sanitary Sewer – 150 ft or less total length$145
Sanitary Sewer – Over 150 ft. total length: 
   first 50 ft.$110
   each additional$74
Septic tank conn. – first 50 ft. or less$110
Septic tank conn. – additional 100 ft.$74
Roof Drains – (Commercial leader or conductor)$19
Roof Drain Package – Residential & Duplex$182
1/2 Roof Drain Package$91
Trap Primers (1-5)$31
Trap Primers (over 5, each additional)$5 each
Catch Basins (area drains)$31
Backflow prevention devices$31
Interceptors, grease, etc.$31
Miscellaneous$31
Drywells/leach line/trench drain$31
Manufactured home utilities$126
Manholes$31
Absorption valves$31
Backflow preventer$31
Backwater valve$31
Ejectors/sump$31
Expansion tanks (devices)$31
Fixture/sewer cap$31
Floor drains/floor sinks/hub$31
Hose bib$31
Sump$31
Hourly rate for any plumbing, electrical, building or manufactured dwelling permit regardless of type$120/hr
Reactivation of any plumbing, electrical, building or manufactured dwelling permit expired up to one year50% of New permit fee
Any permit expired more than one year100% of New permit fee
Plumbing Medical Gas Installation$121 plus a fee based on installation costs listed below
Fees shall be determined based on the value of the medical gas equipment & installation costs 
$1 to $5,000$121
$5,001 - $10,000$121 + $1.82 each add’l $100 over $5,000
$10,001 to $100,000$212 plus $12.34 for each additional $1,000 over $10,000
$100,001 and above$1,322.60 + $8.47 for each additional $1,000 over $100,000
Plan Review50% of the installation permit fee
Residential Fire Suppression Systems 
Multi-purpose or continuous loop systems
   0 - 2,000 sq. ft.$105
   2,001 - 3,600 sq. ft.$156
   3,601 – 7,200 sq. ft.$198
   > 7,201 sq. ft (includes Plan Review fee)$242
Stand Alone Systems
   0 – 2,000 sq. ft$198
   2,001 - 3,600 sq. ft.283
   3,601 - 7,200 sq. ft327
   > 7,201 sq. ft & greater (includes Plan Review fee)368
Fees for partial installations shall be based on the square footage of the area in which the fire suppression is to be installed. Fees for stand-alone systems do not include required backflow prevention device. A separate fee is required for this installation. 
Phased Project Fee$250 + 10% of the total project building permit fee. Not to exceed $1,500 for each phase)
Deferred Submittal65% of the permit fee according to OAR 918-0500110 (2)(3) using the value of the particular deferred portion or portions of the project, with a minimum fee of $250. This fee is in addition to the project plan review fee based on the total project value.

Other Fees

County Code, Appendix A – Fees
Engineering Fees
Estimate Fee Worksheet (Commercial)
Estimate Fee Worksheet (Residential)
Planning & Zoning Fees
Transportation System Development Charges (TSDC)
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Certificates of Occupancy Application Process

New commercial, industrial and multi-family developments in Clackamas County — including commercial and industrial building additions and tenant improvements — are required to have a Certificate of Occupancy in order for the structure to be occupied for its intended purpose and open to the general public.

Clackamas County issues both Temporary Certificates of Occupancy (TCO) and Permanent Certificates of Occupancy (CO). The following information reviews what these certificates mean and outlines the process to apply for and obtain a TCO and CO for your project.

Temporary (TCO) vs. Permanent Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

Temporary
What it does
Provides temporary approval to use and open a building, addition or tenant improvement once all life, health and safety issues are resolved, while other issues related to the development are still pending.
Required for
All new commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings, additions to commercial and industrial buildings, and tenant improvements in Clackamas County.
Effective for 90 days
Fee: $170
The County Building Official will grant one, 30-day extension of a TCO for a $100 fee. If you conclude that you will not be able to receive a CO by the end of the extension, contact the Building Official to discuss the situation.

Permanent
What it does
Provides permanent approval to use and open a building, addition or tenant improvement once all issues related to the development are resolved and nothing further is required.
Required for
All new commercial, industrial and multifamily buildings, additions to commercial and industrial buildings, and tenant improvements in Clackamas County
Permanent
Fee: $170

TCO/CO submittal checklist

Obtain sign-offs from following divisions/agencies as necessary:

  • Submit TCO/CO application 2–4 weeks prior to the occupancy date
  • Pay $170 fee
  • Obtain approved final inspections for all permits
    • WES or other jurisdiction for sanitary, storm sewers, erosion control; as-builts must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to occupancy date
      Storm & Sanitary Inspectors
    • Engineering Division
      Construction & Development Inspector
    • Community Environment
      Development Review Contact
    • Building Division
      Building Inspector for the project
    • Plumbing Division
      Plumbing Inspector for the project
    • Electrical Division
      Electrical Inspector for the project
    • Fire District
      Deputy Fire Marshal for the district where development is located
    • Soils Division (WES)
      Soils Inspector for the project
    • Public Health
      Environmental Health Inspector assigned to the Plan Review (only necessary if we need to conduct a plan review on the construction)
    • Planning Division
      County Planner who issued the staff decision for the land use approval
  • Apply for a CO when TCO is issued and repeat process above.

The building permit specialist will update the status of your TCO application each time a division or agency signs off.

You are responsible for following up on the various required sign-offs. The permit specialist will not send you updates on your TCO as sign-offs occur.

When the last division or agency signs off on the TCO, the Building official will sign the TCO certificate and you will be contacted to let you know the TCO has been approved and issued.

The process for a CO is the same as for a TCO. The same agencies that signed off on the TCO must sign off on the CO once they are satisfied that their corrections or improvements have been completed.

 

Contact
Department Staff
Transportation Engineering
503-742-4691
engineeringcofo@clackamas.us

Frequently Asked Questions

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Payments and Refunds for the Building Codes Division

Payments

We accept e-check/ACH, debit, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa cards for electronic payments. Cash, cashier’s checks, business/corporate checks, personal checks, and money orders for in person payments.

Bank collected service fees are charged on Credit Cards and e-Checks/ACH payments. 

Refunds

The Building Official is authorized to establish a refund policy. (OSSC 109.6 & ORSC 108.5)

Refund Criteria

  • We cannot issue a refund on any permits once plan review has begun, work on the project has started or if there have been inspections performed.
  • A refund request on issued permits must be received within 180 days of the date the permit was issued.
  • A refund request for permits in review must be received within 180 days of the date the intake fees were paid.
  • A maximum of 10 refunds per applicant and/or contractor will be allowed per calendar year.
  • All refund requests must be in writing and shall include all of the following.
    • Permit number
    • Job site address
    • Reason for the refund

Ways to submit a request:

  • Email: bldservice@clackamas.us
  • In person/mail:
    Clackamas County
    Attn: DTD - Building Codes
    150 Beavercreek Road
    Oregon City, OR 97045

Refundable Fees

If the permit meets the above criteria, you may be eligible for a partial refund of your permit fees, minus the counties flat rate admin fee, based on your permit type as noted below:

  • Prescriptive Solar Permits
    • Subject to a $250 flat fee.
  • Permits requiring plan review
    • Subject to a $175 flat fee.
    • Plan review fees are non-refundable.
  • Permits not requiring plan review
    • Subject to a $175 flat fee.

Non-refundable Fees

  • State surcharges are not refundable and will not be included in the calculation.
  • Bank collected service fees are non-refundable.
  • Technology Fees are not refundable and will not be included in the calculation.
  • Fees paid to other county programs require additional approval and are subject to different refund policies. For example planning fees, SDC (System Development Charges), etc. Those departments will need to be contacted separately about their refund procedures.
  • Any non-county fees collected for other government agencies are not refundable through the county. For example School Excise Tax or Metro Surcharge. Those agencies will need to be contacted directly about their refund procedures.
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Building Permit Responsibility by Jurisdiction

Building permit responsibilities may be different from one city to another in Clackamas County.

Find your jurisdiction

Unincorporated areas
of Clackamas County

The county is responsible for issuing all types of building permits. For assistance, call 503-742-4240.

In incorporated cities
in Clackamas County

Jurisdiction for issuing permits varies between the city and the county by type of permit. To find out where to go for a permit if you live in an incorporated area, select your city (below). 

Jurisdictions

10001
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Building Forms

Instructions and Forms for Online Permit Submittals

Permit Application Forms

Permit Application Submittals

Affidavit Permit (fire sprinkler, simple bathroom addition)

Agricultural Permit (Ag, Forest, Equine, Marijuana)

Building Permits

Electrical Permits

Grading Permits

Manufactured Dwelling Permits

Mechanical Permits

New 1 and 2 Single Family Residential Permits

Plumbing Permits

Renewable Energy Permits

Agriculture

Building and Mechanical

Electrical

Financial/General

Grading

Manufactured Dwellings

Plumbing

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Snow Load Design Criteria

Minimum roof snow load

The minimum design roof snow load for all structures in Oregon is 20 pounds per square foot (psf). This may not be reduced for slope or any other conversion factor and may be only modified where applicable by a rain-on-snow surcharge. (Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), Section 1608.1)

Rain-on-snow surcharge

A 5 psf rain-on-snow surcharge will be added to the minimum design roof snow load if either of the following conditions exist:

  • All roofs with a slope of less than 4.76 degrees (1 on 12 pitch)

    or
  • Roofs of any slope that constrain runoff, e.g., any roof where the drainage system is impeded by parapets or any other physical obstructions capable of accumulating more than 1 inch of standing water on any part of the roof when the primary or the secondary (drains or scuppers) means of drainage is blocked by debris, snow or ice. (Structures with a continuous gutter at the low point eave or a comparable system are not be considered as having constrained runoff.)

Snow Load Analysis for Oregon, Structural Engineers Association of Oregon

Ground snow load

To find the ground snow load used to determine the design snow loads for buildings and other structures, refer to the online lookup tool or the online map published by the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO). The design roof snow load may not be less than 20 psf with rain-on-snow surcharge as applicable.

For more information

Design snow loads for buildings and other structures are determined based on the American Society of Civil Engineers 7-16 Standard, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, Chapter 7.

Based on the 2019 Oregon Structural Specialty Code

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Procedures for Submittal of Applications for Prefabricated Structures

"Prefabricated structure" means a building or sub-assembly that has been in whole or substantial part manufactured or assembled using closed construction at an off-site location to be wholly or partially assembled on site; but does not include a manufactured structure. [ORS 455.010(6)]

  1. Clackamas County submittal requirements
    1. Provide two 8-1/2" x 11" or 8-1/2" x 14" plot plans of the building site.
    2. Complete and submit a Building Permit Application.
    3. Provide one copy of design plans approved by the State of Oregon.
    4. Provide two sets of foundation plans for review and inspection. Engineering may be required.
  2. Insignia of Compliance
    All prefabricated structures shall bear an Insignia of Compliance, also known as the "goldtag." "Insignia of Compliance" means the plate affixed to a structure by the Department of Consumer and Business Services or a third party to signify compliance with all state building code requirements for which the structure was inspected [ORS 455.705(7)]. An insignia shall be permanently attached to each unit in a visible location during transportation and after installation.
  3. Clackamas County's site enforcement and inspection responsibility
    1. Plumbing Permits, Electrical Permits and Mechanical Permits are required. Clackamas County will perform a utility connection inspection prior to approving electrical, plumbing, gas and sewage connections to the structure. See OSSC Section 1704.5 for Site Enforcement Agency Responsibility.
    2. Inspect every device and every connection of component assembly to assure that such assembly is capable of developing a complete load path as required by code.
    3. Inspect incomplete structures during on-site construction.
    4. Inspect and approve the installation of prefabricated structures.
    5. Inspect connections at marriage lines between modular units of prefabricated permanent and relocatable buildings to assure that such connections are capable of developing a complete load path as required by the approved plans approved by the State of Oregon.
    6. Issue a Certificate of Occupancy as provided in Section 109 of the OSSC.
  4. Permits for transporting modular units
    Permits for transporting modular units are issued to the mover. No transportation permit or driveway permit will be issued by the Engineering Department without approval of the applicable placement permits.
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Solar Permits

Prescriptive or Non-Prescriptive Checklist

You must obtain both building and electrical permits when installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Electrical permits require inspections, but do not include plan review.

For the building permit, we review construction documents and inspect the installation. This review is meant to protect life and property from hazards and to facilitate safety in emergency situations.

Building permits for PV systems are divided into two categories:

  • prescriptive
  • non-prescriptive

Use the checklist to find out what qualifies as prescriptive.

Zoning

Solar systems that qualify as an Accessory Use are allowed in all land use zones in Clackamas County when the annual power-generating capacity of the system is limited to power consumed by the property. Solar energy systems that exceed an Accessory Use are subject to land use review.

Fees

Building Permits
Prescriptive $190.40
Non-prescriptive
Plan review required.		 Varies
Electrical Permits
5 KVA or less $144.00
5.01 to 15 KVA $169.00
15.01 to 25 KVA $280.00
Over 25 KVA
Plan review required.		 $11.20/KVA and plan review required

All fees include State surcharge.

Permit applications

Other resources

Additional information

Prescriptive installations as defined by the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), Section 3111 are roof installations on conventional light-frame construction (such as a wood-framed house) which comply with specific criteria and do not require an engineered design. The permit fees are flat rate and permits are typically issued 2–3 business days after submittal.

Non-prescriptive installations are those that do not qualify as prescriptive. They include ground-mounted systems, systems installed on roofs that are not conventional light-frame construction, installations in high wind or ground snow load areas and flood hazard areas, or installations where the combined weight of the equipment and racking exceeds 4.5 pounds per square foot. These types of installations require an engineered design and can take up to 4 weeks for review depending on the complexity of the project. The fees are variable based on value (excluding panel and inverter costs).

Accessory use is defined as a subordinate use — the function of which is clearly incidental to that of the main building or use on the same lot. Where solar systems exceed an accessory use, a pre-application meeting ($400) and conditional use application ($3,945) are required prior to applying for building permits. There is also a Transportation System Development Charge (TSDC) applied to these types of systems. The TSDC varies by location. For an estimate contact Lori Phillips at loriphi@clackamas.us with the site address.

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