Permit Application Information

The following information may be required for your project as part of your Building Permit application. If the following information is required, it will need to be provided to our office prior to issuing your residential or commercial Building Permit or your Manufactured Structure Permit.

Road Access Easements

Provide a copy of a recorded easement for ingress and egress that is not obtained directly from a state highway or county road.
 

Road Access Permits

An access/approach permit is required when you have an existing driveway without an access permit number, are building a new driveway, are altering an existing driveway or are changing the use of an existing driveway. Access permits are obtained from the Polk County Public Works Department, (503) 623-9287, if you access from a county road. If you access at any point from a state highway, an access permit is obtained from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Contact an ODOT Permit Specialist at (503) 986-2639 or (503) 986-2748.

Through the building permit process, new and existing driveways are verified for the following:

  • New Construction (dwellings and accessory structures)
  • Replacement dwellings
  • Hardship dwellings
  • Change of use permits

A Polk County Driveway Access Permit application can be obtained from Polk County Community Development and the Polk County Public Works Department. Completed forms need to be returned to the Public Works Department located at 820 SW Ash Street, Dallas, OR 97338.

State access/approach permits may be obtained from ODOT.


Address Applications

A new address application needs to be submitted along with a Building or Manufactured Structure Permit for new dwellings or commercial structures on vacant land, hardship dwellings, replacement dwellings or structures using a different access to the property, or when a new access to the property is being constructed.


School Excise Tax Information

If your project is located on property within Central School District, your project may be subject to a school excise tax. Once a Building Permit or Manufactured Structure Permit application is submitted within Central School District, a copy of the permit application will be given to the applicant to submit to Central School District so they can calculate the fees. Certain projects may be exempt from the excise tax. Central School District will give the applicant a form stating payment has been made or that the project is exempt. This form will need to be returned to the Polk County Community Development Department before the Building Permit or Manufactured Structure Permit can be issued.

The Central School District 13J Business Office is located at 1610 Monmouth Street, Independence, OR 97351. Phone: (503) 838-0030 and Fax: (503) 838-0033.


Septic Permits

Septic Permits require a separate septic application to be submitted. Building and Manufactured Structure Permits cannot be released until required septic permit(s) have been applied for and issued. In some instances two (2) applications may be required, including a site evaluation to determine site suitability and a septic construction permit. In general, a septic application is required for:

  • New construction (residential and commercial)
  • Replacement dwellings
  • Hardship dwellings
  • Remodels/additions resulting in an increase to the number of bedrooms
  • Adding a bathroom to an accessory structure
  • Visit the Septic System Information website for additional septic information, checklists and application forms.


Water Source

Water availability information is required for new dwellings, replacement dwellings, hardships, new commercial buildings, etc.

  • State on application your water source. Well or public water system?
  • If your water is being provided by a public water system, please state the water district or city.

View the list of public water systems for contact information. If you need to apply for a new water service, check with the appropriate public water system to avoid delays in the processing of your building permit. Some businesses can take up to a month or more to approve a new service.