What do these permits involve in Washington County?

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Commercial Building Permit and Development-Compliance Review (Unincorporated Washington County)

The county's Building Services page states that 'Washington County (as per ORS Chapter 455 and 478 and the Home Rule Charter) regulates nuisances, construction, abatement of nuisances and administration of standards', including enforcing the State of Oregon building codes, and its Building Services FAQ states that its answers 'apply to locations within unincorporated Washington County. For questions concerning properties located within cities, visit the relevant city websites.' The fees are from the Building Services FY 26-27 Fee Schedule (effective 7/1/2026), part of the FY 2026-27 Adopted Fee Schedule (Resolution and Order No. 26-57). A commercial building permit is valued on the higher of the ICC Building Valuation Data figure for the occupancy and construction type or the applicant's stated value, and costs $236 for the first $2,000 of valuation, with further per-$1,000 charges above that as set out in the FY 2026-27 fee schedule, plus the applicable state surcharge and the seismic site surcharge the schedule shows as currently 1% (ORS 455.447(3)). Plan review is 65% of the building permit fee (commercial mechanical plan review 25%), fire and life safety review 40%, inspections $236 per hour, and a commercial temporary certificate of occupancy $505. Current Planning's development-compliance review of a building permit is $137 under $75,000 of value, $960 for $75,000 to $500,000 and $1,424 over $500,000.

Home Occupation Permit and Sign Permit (Unincorporated Washington County)

The county's Development Review / Current Planning FAQs, whose answers 'apply to locations within unincorporated Washington County', state that 'Commercial business activity operated from a residence typically requires land use approval for a home occupation. A land use application is required and is subject to annual renewal.' The same FAQs state that day care and preschool businesses serving fewer than 16 children are allowed in residential areas and are exempt from land use review. The Current Planning FY 2026-27 fee schedule, matching the FY 2026-27 Adopted Fee Schedule (Resolution and Order No. 26-57), sets a Type I home occupation permit at $2,254 and a Type II at $3,593, the same in rural and urban areas, with annual renewals of $311 (Type I) and $1,131 (Type II); rural applications carry a $151 Oregon Water Resources Department surcharge, from which home occupation renewals are exempt. A sign permit, for any business sign in unincorporated Washington County, is $226. For properties within cities, the FAQs direct users to the relevant city websites.

Alarm User Permit (Sheriff's Office)

Washington County Code 8.12.040 states that 'Every alarm user shall obtain an alarm user's permit annually' and that 'A separate alarm permit is required for each alarm site.' The Sheriff's Office Alarm Permits page tells users in unincorporated Washington County or in the cities of Cornelius, Gaston or Hillsboro how to apply, by mail or drop-box with a check or online, and states that 'Alarm permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.' The fee for residential and business users (burglary, robbery, hold-up and panic alarms) is $23 a year, the 'Alarm System Permit 23.00' in the FY 2026-27 Adopted Fee Schedule (Resolution and Order No. 26-57). The page and schedule also set $18 for failing to obtain a permit within 60 days of installing an alarm, failing to renew, or paying fines or fees more than 60 days late, and a $30 reinstatement fee once a permit is revoked.

Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Commercial Building Permit and Development-Compliance Review (Unincorporated Washington County)only if it applies to you	Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation, Building Services	Commercial building permit (commercial building, commercial mechanical and other permit types not specifically identified), by total valuation: $236 for $1 to $2,000, with a further charge for each additional $1,000 of valuation set out in the FY 2026-27 fee schedule; plus the applicable state surcharge and the seismic site surcharge ('Currently 1%', ORS 455.447(3)). Regular plan review 65% of the building permit fee; commercial mechanical plan review 25%; fire and life safety review 40% of the building permit fee; regular inspection $236 per hour; commercial temporary certificate of occupancy $505. Development-compliance review of a building permit: under $75,000 value $137; $75,000 to $500,000 $960; over $500,000 $1,424.	per permit	2026-10-12
Home Occupation Permit and Sign Permit (Unincorporated Washington County)only if it applies to you	Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation, Current Planning (Development Review)	Home occupation permit: Type I $2,254; Type II $3,593; annual renewal Type I $311, Type II $1,131. Rural applications add the $151 Oregon Water Resources Department surcharge (renewals are exempt). Sign permit (all signs) $226.	home occupation: subject to annual renewal; sign permit: per permit	2026-10-12
Alarm User Permit (Sheriff's Office)only if it applies to you	Washington County Sheriff's Office, Alarm Permit Unit	$23 per alarm site per year (late application or renewal $18; reinstatement $30)	one year; renewed annually	2026-10-12

Business licenses and permits in Washington County, Oregon

What are you opening in Washington County?

Permits that apply to every type of business in Washington County