"How-To"s

How to submit a deferred submittal

Deferred submittals should be submitted as .pdf documents to our Permitting staff at permits@orcity.org along with a transmittal sheet found by clicking here . It is important to include the valuation of the deferred scope, and whether any of the changes are visible on the exterior. The review fee will be based upon the valuation of the deferred submittal, and the review must be approved and paid for before the work can be inspected. See our submittal guidelines and requirements found here for further guidance.

How to submit a revision

Revisions should be submitted as .pdf documents to our Permitting staff at permits@orcity.org, along with a transmittal sheet (found by clicking here)  detailing any changes that need to be reviewed. Make sure to "cloud" any changes to the plans, and please take special care to answer the question regarding whether any of the changes are visible on the exterior. This information is crucial to staff to determine which departments need to review the work and speeds up our response time. Revision reviews are charged on an hourly basis and must be approved and paid for, and the revised plans must be on site before the work can be inspected.

How to build a patio cover

If your patio cover will be under 200 square feet and attached to an exterior wall of your home, you most likely will not need a building permit, although you will still want to discuss with Planning at ocplanning@orcity.org to avoid any issues with location in relation to your property lines. Click here for our patio cover guide filled with tips from the Oregon Residential Code so you can build a strong cover that will last for years. If you want to build a cover larger than 200 square feet, please reach out to permits@orcity.org for information on the permitting process.

Drawing of a patio cover


How to build a deck

Residential decks are one of the most misunderstood and frequent to fail portions of the home. While anyone can build a deck, there is a lot to know to build one properly so it will be safe to enjoy for years to come. Not every deck requires a permit, either - If the walking surface of the deck is less than 30 inches off the ground and not within 36 inches of the property line, a permit is generally not required (though best to check with Planning at ocplanning@orcity.com to verify their requirements). 

Click here to find our comprehensive deck building guide that has everything you need to know to build a safe, reliable deck whether it requires a permit or not.

Sample drawing of a deck


How to Create a Site Plan

Site plans are a required document for your building permit application.

A site plan is a map of your entire parcel drawn to scale showing all existing and proposed structures (above or below ground) and other information needed to review your project. Below is an example site plan and a list of required items to be shown on your site plan. You may draw your own or have a designer, architect, or other professional prepare one for you. Whether you prepare it yourself or have someone else do it, you are responsible for its accuracy and completeness. Below is an example video tutorial on how to create a site plan.