Washington County, Oregon Permit Guide
Find Washington County, Oregon permit offices, local planning notes, application documents, and inspection questions in one guide.
Individual permit guides for Washington County
- Washington County Oregon Shed, Fence, and Wall Permit Guide
- Washington County Oregon Residential Permit Portal Guide
- Washington County Oregon Trade, Solar, Plumbing, and Right-of-Way Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide
- Washington County, Oregon Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide
Start with jurisdiction and project scope
Before applying in Washington County, confirm whether the property is within city limits or in unincorporated county territory. Describe the complete work to the office serving that parcel, including electrical, plumbing, structural, and site changes. Building, zoning, utility, and private HOA approvals can be separate.
Open the local official sources or prepare a project checklist.
Source availability audit: . This checks links, not every local rule. These compiled notes are starting points; confirm current dimensions, exemptions, fees, and adopted codes with the cited offices.
Shed, Fence, and Wall Permits
Washington County shed, fence, and retaining wall permit needs depend on habitability, size, height, setbacks, parcel size, and community development rules.
Permit and scope questions
Washington County says a non-habitable one-story detached accessory structure may be exempt when it stays within the listed floor-area and height limits, while habitable structures need permits.
Zoning and placement
Ask Washington County's planning or zoning office to check the height or depth limit and the grade or reference point used for measurement; the fence material, yard location and visibility restrictions; the setbacks, easements and public-space constraints for the parcel; and the current local code provision and application checklist for the proposed site and use.
Building and trade review
Before finalizing plans, confirm with Washington County's building office the height or depth limit and the grade or reference point used for measurement; whether retained soil, adjacent slopes or supported loads require engineering; how structure use, attachment and utilities affect any accessory-building exemption; and the setbacks, easements and public-space constraints for the parcel. Use the current application instructions for the actual project scope.
Discuss your project early when: Contact Washington County before ordering materials or starting work to resolve the current area limit and the method used to measure it; the height or depth limit and the grade or reference point used for measurement; the fence material, yard location and visibility restrictions; and how structure use, attachment and utilities affect any accessory-building exemption. Bring the proposed dimensions, location and scope so the answer is tied to the project.
Sources for this topic:
Residential Permit Portal
Washington County residential permits use a mix of downloaded applications, email or homeowner in-office submittal, BDAS for listed no-plan-review permits, and ProjectDox for plan uploads.
Permit and scope questions
Washington County directs applicants to select the correct residential application, complete and digitally sign it, then submit by email or in office for homeowner applicants, with BDAS used for listed permit types.
Zoning and placement
The county recommends checking with staff to determine whether a grading permit is needed before completing the residential permit path.
Building and trade review
After staff set up the permit, applicants receive instructions for payment and electronic plan upload through ProjectDox.
Discuss your project early when: Call before applying if the project may need grading review, the correct application is unclear, the property is inside a city, or the work includes trade-only or solar-only scopes.
Sources for this topic:
Trade, Solar, Plumbing, and Right-of-Way Permits
Washington County uses BDAS for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and prescriptive solar permits, while public right-of-way work uses a separate public permitting portal.
Permit and scope questions
For Washington County, ask the permit office to confirm the solar mounting arrangement, electrical scope and accepted review route and the current local code provision and application checklist before treating this project as exempt or permit-required.
Zoning and placement
Right-of-way work such as sidewalks, driveways, accesses, sewer lines, storm drains, and private water lines requires a right-of-way permit to protect public infrastructure.
Building and trade review
Plumbing permits are required for water heater replacement, underground piping, concealed piping changes, new plumbing installations, and plumbing relocation in remodels or additions.
Discuss your project early when: Call before applying if the work is in the public right-of-way, involves concealed plumbing, requires plan review, includes prescriptive solar eligibility questions, or combines multiple trades with building work.
Sources for this topic:
Prepare a complete application conversation
- Shed dimensions
- Fence height
- Retaining wall height
- Site plan
- Setback and parcel information
- Correct residential application
- Digital signature
- Plans
- Plan review fee
- Grading information if applicable
- BDAS account
- Trade permit scope
- Prescriptive solar information if applicable
- Right-of-way work description
- Site or utility plan
Bring enough detail for staff to identify the correct application. Ask which plans need dimensions or a professional seal, how files should be named, and whether other departments must approve the proposal first.
Inspection planning
- Confirm exemption or permit need
- Check setbacks with Current Planning
- Submit permit application when required
- Upload plans when instructed
- Schedule required inspections
- Choose application
- Submit application
- Pay plan review fees when instructed
- Upload plans to ProjectDox
- Track permits and schedule inspections through county portals
- Apply through BDAS for eligible permits
- Use the public permitting portal for right-of-way work
- Pay fees through the approved portal
- Schedule inspections
- Keep permit results with project records
Questions to resolve before work starts
- Which building, zoning, trade, utility, or public-works approvals apply to this exact scope?
- Is an apparent exemption limited to the building permit, while zoning or trade approval still applies?
- Which current fee schedule, code edition, and local amendments will be used?
- Who may apply, and which licensed trades must perform or supervise the work?
- Which inspection stages cannot be covered, and how is the final approval recorded?
Official source directory
- Washington County Shed Permit FAQ
- Washington County Fence Permit FAQ
- Washington County Building Services FAQ
- Washington County Residential Buildings
- Washington County Building and Development Application Services
- Washington County Building Services
- Washington County Plumbing Permit FAQ
- Washington County Right-of-Way Permits
If an official link is unavailable or redirects to a general page, use that government's site search or contact its permit office. Some government sites restrict automated access; that does not establish that a page is missing.