Building permits in Lane County, Oregon
Find the right authority before you build. Lane County permitting follows Oregon law — here is exactly who issues the permit and where to start.
County + cities (mixed)
Lane County Building Safety
Lane County Building Safety issues permits for unincorporated Lane County. The cities of Eugene and Springfield issue their own building permits within city limits.
Open the official permit portal →
Lane County also runs on-site wastewater (septic) reviews for unincorporated areas under the Oregon DEQ Onsite Program.
Permit cheat-sheet (Oregon rules)
| Project | Permit? | Authority | Typical fee | Timeline | Go / No-Go | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | Permit required | city | Valuation-based building + trade permits per the local fee schedule. | Plan review; Portland and other cities review ADUs under standard residential review (weeks). | Generally allowed | Oregon’s HB 2001 (2019) requires cities (generally those over 10,000 population) to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zones, so ADUs are broadly permitted statewide. Local zoning still sets size, setbacks, parking, and owner-occupancy rules — verify with your city. Exempt: Oregon HB 2001 requires most cities to allow ADUs in single-family zones (size/number set locally). |
| 🪵 Deck / Porch | Conditional | city | Valuation-based; Portland permit fees follow the city building-permit fee schedule. | Over-the-counter for low decks; plan review for elevated decks. | Generally allowed | Oregon’s seismic-active status means deck ledger and connection details are inspected; footnote to local frost/soil conditions. Exempt: Porches/decks ≤30 in above adjacent grade are exempt (statewide). Portland: decks/stairs >30 in above grade require a permit. |
| 🧱 Fence / Wall | Conditional | city | Often no building permit under the height threshold; permit fee only if over threshold. | Over-the-counter / zoning review for tall fences. | Generally allowed | Pool-barrier fences are never exempt and must meet barrier requirements. HOA rules may be stricter. Exempt: Wood, wire-mesh, or chain-link fences <7 ft are exempt (statewide). |
| 🛖 Shed / Outbuilding | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when over the exemption size; small sheds may avoid a building permit. | Small exempt sheds need no permit; permitted sheds go through plan review. | Generally allowed | Even exempt sheds must comply with zoning setbacks and lot coverage; adding electrical/plumbing/mechanical needs separate permits regardless of size. Exempt: Nonhabitable, detached, one-story sheds <200 sq ft and <15 ft tall are exempt (statewide). Portland exempts up to 200 sq ft / 15 ft, or 400 sq ft on lots >2 acres set back 20 ft. |
| 🪜 Basement Finish | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | Standard plan review 2–4 weeks. | Generally allowed | Creating living space in a basement triggers framing, electrical, insulation, and egress-window requirements under the ORSC. Exempt: Cosmetic finishing (paint, flooring) is exempt. |
| 🚗 Garage / Carport | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | New-structure plan review; varies by city. | Generally allowed | Attached and detached garages over the threshold require a full building permit and plan review. Exempt: Building or moving a carport, garage, or shed over 200 sq ft requires a permit. |
| ☀️ Rooftop Solar PV | Permit required | city | Building + electrical permits; fee set by the city. Oregon has solar-ready provisions (ORSC Appendix U). | Rooftop PV review typically quick once structural/electrical docs are submitted. | Generally allowed | Oregon’s ORSC includes solar-ready provisions; structural attachment and seismic/wind loads are reviewed. The state has strong pro-solar policies but permits are still required. Exempt: No size exemption; rooftop PV requires building and electrical permits. |
| 🌡️ HVAC Replacement | Conditional | city | Mechanical permit; fee set by the city (Portland publishes a mechanical permit fee schedule). | Trade permits often issued same-day/over-the-counter for in-kind replacements. | Generally allowed | Oregon’s energy code is strict — heat pumps and high-efficiency equipment are favored; equipment must meet ORSC energy provisions. Exempt: Installing/replacing a furnace, AC, ductwork, or gas piping requires a mechanical permit. |
| 🍳 Kitchen Remodel | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when structural/plumbing/electrical work is included. | Standard review for permitted scopes. | Generally allowed | Plumbing follows the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code; electrical follows the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (separate from the ORSC). Exempt: Cabinet/countertop swap in the same layout is exempt. |
| 🛁 Bathroom Remodel | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when plumbing is relocated. | Standard review for permitted scopes. | Generally allowed | Ventilation to the exterior required; plumbing under the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code. Exempt: Fixture-for-fixture swap in place is often exempt. |
| 🏗️ Room Addition | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits and impact fees. | Plan review several weeks. | Generally allowed | Oregon’s energy code applies to additions; seismic/wind design criteria are site-specific via the Oregon Design Criteria Hub. Exempt: No exemption — any new conditioned footprint requires a permit. |
| 🪟 Window / Door Replacement | Conditional | city | Usually no fee for in-kind swap; permit needed if opening is enlarged or structurally changed. | In-kind swaps typically need no review. | Generally allowed | Replacement products must meet ORSC energy/glazing requirements when the code is triggered. Exempt: Replacing doors/windows with no structural changes is exempt (statewide). |
| 🏘️ Roof Replacement | Conditional | city | Often over-the-counter or exempt for same-footprint re-roof. | Re-roof often processed quickly. | Generally allowed | Oregon’s wildfire-zone provisions (ORSC R327) can require fire-resistant roofing in designated hazard areas. Exempt: Re-roofing is exempt where the replacement weight ≤30% of roof live-load capacity and fire-resistance is not required; full tear-off with new sheathing requires a permit. |
| 🅿️ Driveway / Parking Pad | Conditional | city | Building permit often not required; curb-cut/right-of-way work is separate and may need a public-works permit. | Right-of-way permits reviewed by the city/public works. | Generally allowed | A separate right-of-way permit is usually needed to cut the curb or connect to the street. Exempt: Private concrete sidewalk/slab/driveway not >30 in above grade and not over a basement is exempt (statewide). |
| 🏊 Swimming Pool / Spa | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes barrier/fencing and electrical bonding review. | Plan review several weeks; barrier inspection required before filling. | Generally allowed | Oregon pool-barrier rules apply; electrical bonding under the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code. Exempt: Prefabricated pools entirely above adjacent grade are exempt from a building permit, but the barrier around them is NOT exempt. In-ground/permanent pools always permitted. |
| 🧱 Retaining Wall | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when over the height threshold. | Over-threshold walls need plan review (engineering for surcharge). | Generally allowed | Oregon’s hillside/seismic conditions make engineered design important for taller walls. Exempt: Retaining walls >4 ft, or supporting a slope/drive/structure, require a permit (Portland). |
| 💥 Demolition / Teardown | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the issuing authority; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major strip-out requires a demolition (building) permit. Demolition permits commonly require proof of utility disconnects (water, gas, electric, sewer) and may require asbestos/lead-paint clearance for pre-1978 homes before work begins. Verify the issuing authority for your specific property. |
| 🚰 Septic System | Permit required | state | Septic permit fee set by Oregon DEQ; based on system type and design flow. | — | Generally allowed | New or replacement onsite wastewater (septic) systems are permitted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Onsite Wastewater Management Program — directly in Curry, Jackson, and Josephine counties, and through local contract agents in the other 33 counties. A site evaluation and engineered design are required; licensed installers perform the work and the system is inspected before backfill. |
| 🔌 EV Charger | Conditional | city | Electrical permit; fee set by the issuing authority. | — | Generally allowed | A home EV charging station (240V branch circuit + wall-mounted EVSE) requires an electrical permit and must meet the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (Article 625). Many jurisdictions fast-track residential EVSE. A load calculation and possible service upgrade are reviewed. |
| ⚡ Standby Generator | Conditional | city | Mechanical/electrical permit; fee set by the issuing authority. | — | Generally allowed | A permanently installed standby generator requires mechanical and electrical permits (transfer switch, fuel gas/propane line). Setback, carbon-monoxide ventilation, and noise rules apply; some HOAs restrict generator placement. |
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Lane County, Oregon?
Lane County Building Safety is the permitting authority for Lane County. Permitting is split — cities issue for incorporated areas, the county for unincorporated areas. Start at the official portal linked above.
Do I go to the county or my city for a building permit in Lane County?
Permitting is split — cities issue for incorporated areas, the county for unincorporated areas.
What home projects need a permit in Lane County?
The same project types shown in the cheat-sheet above (ADU, deck, fence, shed, solar, and more) — rules follow Oregon state law. Whether the county or your city issues it depends on your property's incorporation status.
How do I apply for a permit in Lane County?
Use the official permit portal linked above. Most offices accept online submissions; have your plans, site information, and contractor details ready before applying.