Planning

Please contact Yamhill County at 503-434-7516 for any work or possible changes on a building in a Commercial zone for permitting requirements.

WORK REQUIRING A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT:

• Building a dwelling.
• Build, demolish or add a room, garage, shed or other attached structure.
• Build, demolish or move any detached carport, garage or shed that is more than 200 square feet or more than 10 feet high from the floor to the average height of the roof.
• Finish an attic, garage or basement to create living space.
• Cut new window or door openings or widen existing openings.
• Move, remove or add walls.
• Apply roofing when the old roofing and sheathing is removed and new sheathing is installed.
• Build or replace an exterior stairway more than 30 inches high.
• Build a retaining wall that exceeds four feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall or any retaining wall affected by the weight of an adjacent slope, or nearby driveway or structure.
• Build a deck more than 30 inches high.
• Enclose a porch or carport.
• Add or enclose a porch cover, patio cover or other attached roofed structure with a cumulative area greater than 200 square feet.
• Pour concrete sidewalks, slabs, or driveways more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and over any story or basement.
• Install a barrier around a swimming pool.

WORK REQUIRING AN ELECTRICAL PERMIT:

• Install, change or repair any hard-wired electrical system.
• Run any additional wiring, put in an additional electrical outlet or light fixture, or change your fuse box to circuit breakers.
• Install or alter low voltage systems such as security alarms, central vacuum systems, low voltage lighting or phone systems.

NOTE: Electrical permits are issued by Yamhill County only. Please contact Yamhill County 503-434-7516 for specific information.

WORK REQUIRING A MECHANICAL PERMIT:

• Install or change any part of a heating or cooling system which has ductwork or must be vented into any kind of chimney or vent.
• Install a wood stove or fireplace insert.
• Install, alter or repair gas piping between the meter and an appliance (indoors and outdoors).
• Install a fuel oil tank.

NOTE: Mechanical permits are issued by Yamhill County only. Please contact Yamhill County 503-434-7516 for specific information.

WORK REQUIRING A PLUMBING PERMIT:

• Repair, replace, relocate or add to the plumbing system within your home.
• Install new plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, dishwashers, etc.
• Replace a water heater.
• Replace existing plumbing fixtures if the replacement involves concealed plumbing connections.
• Install rain drains, cesspools, septic systems, drywells, sewer lines, water lines, backflow prevention assemblies for lawn sprinkler systems or cap a sewer.

NOTE: Adding a bathroom not only requires a plumbing permit, but may also require a building, electrical and/or mechanical permit.

WORK NOT REQUIRING A BUILDING PERMIT:

• Paint a building that is not a historic landmark or does not have specific zoning restrictions.
• Install insulation in existing homes.
• Install storm windows.
• Install window awnings, not more than 54 inches deep and not in a design zone, that are supported by an exterior wall and do not project beyond the property line.
• Replace interior wall, floor or ceiling covering (such as wallboard or sheet vinyl).
• Install shelving and cabinets.
• Install gutters and downspouts (a plumbing permit may still be required for storm water disposal).
• Replace or repair siding.
• Replace or repair roofing, if there is no replacement of sheathing (a maximum of three layers of roofing is allowed).
• Replace doors or windows if the existing openings are not widened.
• Install swings and other play structures.
• Build a fence up to seven feet high. (You should verify clear vision in areas prior to building the fence).
• Concrete sidewalks, slabs, platforms and driveways.
• Build a patio or deck that is not more than 30 inches above grade.
• Build a shed or detached non-habitable one-story accessory structure less than or equal to 200 square feet in an area and less than 10ft in height from the floor to the top of the top plate.
• Repave driveways where no expansion has occurred.
• Remove and reinstall a toilet when installing new floor covering.
• Replace accessible plumbing fixtures to make emergency plumbing repairs or to replace freeze-damaged or leaking concealed plumbing pipes that are no more than five feet in length.
• Build a patio or porch cover not over 200 square feet and supported by an exterior building wall.
• Ground mounted flagpoles, antennae, and similar items that do not exceed 25 feet in height.

WHY DO I NEED A PERMIT?

It’s the law. State building code requires that permits be obtained for certain types of work.
Permits protect you, your family and your investment. They are designed to help ensure that licensed contractors do the required work.
Inspections ensure that work meets the minimum code requirements and is completed safely.
Minor problems that could lead to costly repairs, liability and life/safety issues can be detected during permit inspections and brought to your attention before the situation worsens.
When selling a property, the buyer, realtor and/or lender may require that unpermitted work be corrected, properly permitted and inspected before closing.

Please note: Regardless of whether a building permit is required, the project must meet the City of Carlton Development Code requirements for building setbacks and clear vision areas. The City Ordinances and Development Code can be found on the City of Carlton website, under Planning & Zoning, or you can contact City Hall at 503-852-7575 for additional information.