1. Building Department Helpful Tips

The Scappoose Building Dept. is located at our Community Development Center for;

• Planning

• Engineering

• Building

OFFICE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Monday thru Thursday 8am-5pm (closed for lunch 12:00-1:15pm).  

FRIDAYS - LOBBY IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC (limited staff available via phone or email)  

MAY IS INTERNATION BUILDING SAFETY MONTH.  

Building Safety Month is an internation campaign to raise awareness about building safety, reinforcing the need to adopt modern, regularly updated building codes to help residents, property owners and developers understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures for our communities.  Visit the International Code Council link below for helpful brochures and fliers on building safety.    2024 BSM - Member - Printable Materials - ICC (iccsafe.org)

All Building Departments in Oregon are responsible for ensuring that new construction and remodels/additions are built according to the State of Oregon Building Codes.  The Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) administers the Oregon's Statewide Building Codes.  For more info; use "Links" in the menu bar to the right or click this link to visit the BCD website;   https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/index.aspx

Permits are required to build new residential homes, additions, sheds/structures (depending on size/height), commercial buildings and structures, including some repairs, renovations, remodels and demos and Change of Use or Change of Occupancy. Additional permits are required for plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, & medical gas.

VISIT LINK BELOW FOR HELPFUL TIPS FROM THE STATE BUILDING CODES DIVISION (BCD);

https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/Consumer-Tools.aspx     

• Finding a Reliable Contractor
• Avoiding Construction Scams 
• Assistance with written contracts
• Filing a complaint against contractors
• Consumer Publications/Brochures (several tips and tricks for consumers)

NOTE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ALLOWED TO ACT AS THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR, IF THEY CHOOSE per ORS.701.325; Oregon Law requires residential construction permit applicants who are NOT licensed with the State of Oregon Construction Contractors Board to sign the following PROPERTY OWNER STATEMENT before a building permit can be issued.     https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Documents/information%20notice%20to%20owner%20about%20construction%20responsibilities.pdf

https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/documents/pdf/property_owner%20adopted.pdf https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/documents/pdf/property_owner%20adopted.pdf

FREE PLAN DRAWINGS FROM THE STATE:   The State of Oregon Building Codes Division provides plans for Pole Buildings, Garages, Carports, Decks and Patio Covers (Click button below or you can do a web search; "Oregon Ready Built Plans").

CASH INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FROM ENERGY TRUST OF OREGON:  Making energy-efficient upgrades to your home is a great way to save money, energy and improve comfort. Chose from several upgrades to find cash incentives.    https://www.energytrust.org/

ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE:  The State of Oregon Building Codes Division provides forms and links for Energy Code Compliance.   https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/energy-commercial-compliance.aspx

PERMITS INFO - select button below

~ ALL ELECTRICAL AND SEPTIC TANK PERMITS FOR SCAPPOOSE ARE HANDLED BY COLUMBIA COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT IN ST. HELENS 503-397-1501.

INSPECTIONS - see menu to the right

For more info about Commercial/Industrial Development, visit our Planning Dept. page;  www.scappoose.gov/planning

LOOKING FOR COPIES OF PREVIOUS-EXISTING BUILDING PERMIT OR CONSTRUCTION PLANS? 

• The Scappoose Building Department did not exist until approximately 1996.
• Permit data prior to 1996 might not exist or data would be very general.
• The Building Department has an old ledger/binder when the county logged permit data between 1979-1990. This data entry is very basic and often times without any description of work and/or with the old 3-digit routing address...
• In the late 1980’s addresses were revised for our area from a 3-digit routing number system to the current 5-digit street addressing system; no data conversion was kept.  Most addresses in the old permit ledger have the 3-digit addressing system.
• Per the State archives, construction PLANS are only required to be kept for 2 years after the final inspection date.

Permits issued < 10 years, use the search tool within e-permitting;  https://aca-oregon.accela.com/oregon/

Plans and/or Permits issued > 10 years, please fill out the "REQUEST FOR PUBLIC RECORDS" form;  https://www.scappoose.gov/cityhall/page/request-public-records

CONTACT US;

Phone; 503-543-7184

email; scappoosebuildingdept@scappoose.gov

Community Development Office Administrator

The CDC Office Administrator is available to answer development related questions regarding zoning, land use applications, required permits, and serves as a liaison to the Building Official, Planner and Engineer. If you have any questions please call Elizabeth Happala at 503-543-7184 or email her at ehappala@scappoose.gov

Building Official

The Building Official is available to answer questions related to State of Oregon building codes. If you have code questions please email scappoosebuildingdept@scappoose.gov