Plumbing Permits

 

Polk County processes Plumbing Permits for the following jurisdictions:

  • Polk County (outside city limit boundaries)
  • City of Falls City

The Plumbing Permit Application and a Plumbing Permit process flowchart are available for download.

You may also visit the Oregon Building Code Division's website for plumbing permit requirements to see if a Plumbing Permit is required for your project.

 

Ways to Apply for a Plumbing Permit

  • Over-the-counter (unless plan review is required)
  • Online ePermitting (for licensed contractors)

 

Licensed Contractors - Purchase Permits Online

If you are a licensed contractor, you are now able to purchase limited Electrical Permits online, through the State of Oregon's ePermitting website. To utilize this convenient way to purchase permits online, visit the Polk County ePermitting Information webpage.

 

Structural Residential Projects

The plumbing fixtures will be reviewed during the Building Permit plan review and will have the same permit number as the Building Permit. If additional fixtures, other than those shown on the construction plans for a Building Permit, are to be installed, a separate Plumbing Permit Application would need to be submitted as an over-the-counter permit.

If a Building Permit is not required, then the Plumbing Permit can be purchased over-the-counter or Oregon e-permitting.

 

Structural Commercial Projects

A Plumbing Permit Application needs to be submitted for any plumbing work being performed and a plan review may be required. A commercial Plumbing Permit will be issued separately from the Building Permit, and does not need to be submitted prior to the Building Permit being issued, unless otherwise indicated by the Building Official.

 

Manufactured Structure Installation Projects

A Manufactured Structure Permit includes 30 feet of water/sewer line. If more than 30 feet of water/sewer line (sewer line would be from septic tank to dwelling) is being installed, then a Plumbing Permit Application would need to be submitted prior to the Manufactured Structure Permit being issued. The person or firm performing the work needs to sign a Plumbing Permit Application and submit it along with the Manufactured Structure Permit. If more than one person or firm is performing plumbing work, submit a signed Plumbing Permit Application for each person or firm. The Plumbing Permit will then be issued at the same time as the Manufactured Structure Permit.

 

Plumbing Permit Terms and Conditions

The permit holder shall be deemed the person or firm that is authorized to make all decisions regarding the permit, including permit information, notices, cancelation, transfer, extensions or refunds.

Permit Application Expiration

An application will expire 180 days after being submitted if the permit is not issued (picked up and paid for). To avoid expiration of an application, an extension request needs to be submitted in writing showing justifiable cause to extend the permit prior to 180 days of inactivity, otherwise the application will expire.

Permit Expiration

Once a permit is issued, it expires if work is not commenced within 180 days of permit issuance or if construction or work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days at any time after work is commenced. To avoid permit expiration, a progress report (showing progress toward the permit) needs to be submitted in writing or an extension request needs to be submitted in writing, showing justifiable cause to extend the permit prior to 180 days of inactivity, otherwise the permit will expire. A one time extension may be granted for an additional 180 days.

Permit Transferability

As long as no changes have been made to the original plans, specifications and valuation of the permit, the current permit holder may request to transfer the permit to another permit holder upon submittal of the Permit Transfer Request Form and transfer fee. If there are changes to the plans, specifications or valuation for the work being done on a permit, a the applicant will need to apply for a new permit.

Permit Refunds

Refunds may be requested upon written request for permit deposit/fees paid within 180 days of fee payment, less any plan review fees, landuse site review fees, administrative fees and state surcharge fees, for a permit under which no work has commenced. Refunds amounting to less than $10 will not be processed.

Permit Renewals

A plumbing permit may be renewed within 1 year of expiration of the permit upon submittal of the Permit Renewal Request Form, provided no changes have been made in the original plans and specifications for the work. The renewal fee would be ½ the amount of new permit fees. Permits that have been canceled and/or refunded are not eligible for renewal.