Building Services

Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation continues to provide most services remotely - online, by phone or via U.S. Mail.

Our lobby in Suite 350 of the Public Services Building is open to the public for in-person services. Lobbies in our Walnut Street Center are closed, but in-person services are available by appointment (call 503-846-7623.) We urge all customers to continue to conduct business remotely whenever possible to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Customers entering our buildings will be asked to provide their contact information for contact-tracing purposes. Customers will be required to wear a facial covering (mask), practice physical distancing (at least six feet of separation) and adhere to occupancy limits.  Hours and locations

Thank you for your cooperation.

Preferred practices/services:

• Starting Aug. 1 we will require all submittals that come from a designer, architect, engineer or contractor to be submitted via ProjectDox 
   
• Plan check comments: U.S. Mail
   
• Revisions: U.S. Mail
   
• Permits in ready-to-issue: Pick up during office hours or mailed to applicant.
   
• New building and grading permit submittals: Electronic Plan Review or U.S. Mail
   
• Other permits (trade permits, demolitions, manufactured homes and agricultural-exempt buildings) Must be legible on paper no larger than 11x17: Email, U.S. Mail or fax
   
• Trade permits (mechanical, electrical, plumbing): Email or State of Oregon ePermitting System
   
• Inspections: Public Permitting and Services Portal or Interactive Voice Response: 503-846-3699
   
• Payments: Public Permitting and Services Portal

Division Manager: Andy Back

Building Official: Scott Linfesty

Building services staff provides the following services in unincorporated Washington County:

• Permitting, plan review and inspections for all phases of construction (both residential and commercial) in unincorporated Washington County and in the cities of Banks, Gaston, River Grove and North Plains.
   
• Electrical permitting, plan review and inspections in unincorporated Washington County and in the cities of Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, River Grove, Sherwood and Tualatin.

Fee changes effective July 1

Changes are being implemented to building permit and development fees effective July 1, 2020. The changes involve phased fee increases and assessment of “convenience fees” charged by major credit card companies for online payments.

Unlike many area jurisdictions, both LUT Building Services and Current Planning operate on a cost-recovery basis – meaning that these work groups’ activities are supported entirely by fees for service. These cost-recovery fee changes are necessary to maintain operations. The Board of County Commissioners opted to phase in the fee increases to help mitigate the financial impact on our customers. For a complete list of LUT fee increases, visit the Washington County Fiscal Year 2020-21 Fee Schedule (pages 13-31). 

Building Services fees

Most Building Services fees will increase 2.5% effective July 1; and an additional 2.5% effective Jan. 1, 2021. 

Current Planning fees

Current Planning fee increases vary. While most are increasing a minimum of 2.5% on July 1 and an additional 2.5% effective Jan. 1, other targeted increases are also being implemented to achieve cost recovery. These increases are also being phased in—half effective July 1 and half on Jan. 1. 

Changes to online payments

Effective July 1, 2020, online payments will include assessment of “convenience fees” charged by major credit card companies, as follows: 

• Online credit card payments (VISA, MasterCard, Discover): Average 2.45% of costs (minimum $1.50) 
• Electronic bank checks: Flat service fee of 95¢ (Customer’s bank must allow electronic checks; routing and account numbers must be correct, or a return check charge may be applied by the bank.)
• Paper checks submitted via U.S. Mail: No fee

New:  2019 Oregon Structural Specialty Code effective Jan. 1

Washington County has adopted the new Oregon statewide building code, Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) 2019, effective Jan. 1, 2020, for all permitted projects.

Applicants should consult with design teams to ensure projects are compliant with the 2019 Oregon Structural Specialty Code requirements.

Where is your property?

Check property jurisdiction here and contact the appropriate building department.

Email Building Services with questions about building services/codes.