Administrative overview · FIPS 41005
Clackamas County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development, Building Codes Division
For a project in or near Clackamas County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
503-742-4240; inspection request line 503-742-4720
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Clackamas County Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045
Operating hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; customer service and office hours published by the Building Codes Division.
Review expectation
County guidance states up to 10 business days for initial pre-screen/intake, followed by approximately 3-7 weeks for plan review depending on project complexity. The agricultural exemption route has no inspections after approval; incorporated-city timelines and responsibilities may differ.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Clackamas County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development, Building Codes Division is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 503-742-4240; inspection request line 503-742-4720.
How long might review take?
County guidance states up to 10 business days for initial pre-screen/intake, followed by approximately 3-7 weeks for plan review depending on project complexity. The agricultural exemption route has no inspections after approval; incorporated-city timelines and responsibilities may differ.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule inspections through the county inspection-request app, the online Accela inspection system, or by calling 503-742-4720 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Telephone requests must be made before 2:00 PM for the following business day; have the permit number and inspection code ready. Final mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections must be approved before the building final.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Clackamas County enforces the Oregon State Building Code in county jurisdiction, including the current 2025 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (2024 IBC/IFC/IEBC), 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (2021 IRC), 2023 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (2023 NEC), 2023 Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, 2025 Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, and 2025 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code. The county also enforces its Zoning and Development Ordinance, grading/excavation rules, and other listed county codes. Exact local amendments should be confirmed with Building Codes. Clackamas County identifies agricultural/forestry/equine/marijuana building exemptions when the structure meets the published exemption criteria; an approved exemption requires no building inspections. Basic homeowner electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits on the owner's residence or home-based business that do not require plan review are handled outside Development Direct. Smaller erosion-control projects disturbing less than one-half acre generally need no separate erosion permit, but erosion measures are still required. Additions, updates, structural remodeling, new construction, grading, and most trade work generally require permits; planning or land-use approval may still be needed.