Apply for a residential plumbing permit and schedule a plumbing inspection for a 1 - 2 family home. Get all required forms for a residential plumbing permit including the plumbing permit application. Includes information about trade permit extension requests and trade permit reactivation requests.
The form takes 15 minutes to complete if plans are not needed.
On this PageThis webpage is about residential plumbing permits. You might also want to learn more about commercial plumbing permits.
You will need a plumbing permit to:
Even if a building permit is not needed, the work will need a plumbing permit.
Adding a bathroom needs a plumbing and building permit, and may also need an electrical permit and/or mechanical permit. For new townhouse projects, each unit needs an electrical permit. To remove on-site sewage disposal system (cesspool or septic tank), you need a decommissioning permit.
You do not need a plumbing permit to:
If unsure, call Residential Inspections to ask an inspector.
The sewer and drain lines have probably been in place since the house was built. When one of these lines breaks, the leaking sewage beneath the yard harbors disease, may contain hazardous chemicals, and provides a thoroughfare for rats.
If you are not doing the work yourself, you can hire a contractor. Contractors must have a license to work in Oregon. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) issues licenses to contractors. The permit application and the company materials must list the license number.
Need help finding a contractor? The CCB website has good tips on how to search for one.
All plumbing contractors must have a license from the Oregon State Plumbing Board (PB) or have a valid license through the Oregon Landscaping Contractors Board to install backflow devices.
If you are using an Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) license number, you can apply for trade permits by emailing your applications to TradePermits@portlandoregon.gov
You may not use our online permitting system, DevHub, to apply for trade permits because our system does not support LCB license numbers.
If plans are not needed, you can get residential plumbing permits online through Development Hub PDX. If you are hiring a contractor, they should already be set up in our system to pull the permit for you.
You can also send in your application by email, to tradepermits@portlandoregon.gov.
Alternatively, you can set up an appointment to drop off a paper application. Or, please call us and we will work with you.
Please be aware that since every project is unique there may be some situations where you will be asked to provide additional information.
If required by the Water Bureau, a backflow prevention assembly may be required to be installed at the property line, on your property on the center line of the City water service. Call the Water Bureau at 503-823-7480 for more information. More information can also be found on the Site Plan Checklist and the Sample Site Plan:
The Environmental Soils Section of Portland Permitting & Development approves septic tank installations.
Environmental Services needs to approve:
Plumbing permits not available online:
These permits need plans with the plumbing permit application (except sewer). Call General Inquiries if you have questions about getting a permit.
The fees are listed on the plumbing permit application. They are based on the fixtures and the work being done.
Call for an inspection before covering any piping with floor, wall, or ceiling. Piping includes water, sewer, stormwater or vent system. The inspector will test all piping (typically with water).
You will need a final inspection of all finished fixtures or plumbing to close out the permit.
To schedule an inspection, call the automated inspection request line. You will need your IVR or permit number and the three-digit code for the inspection.
If you got your permit online through Development Hub, you can schedule your inspection online too.
Get the results of the inspection online by searching for your permit on Portland Maps on the following day.
Not approved - there are many reasons why the work did not get approved:
If you have questions before your inspection, call an inspector. The inspectors' name, region, and phone numbers are listed on the the 1 & 2 family inspector area map.
Because of vacation or illness, your inspector may be different than the one listed on the map. If you have questions after your inspection, find out which inspector to call. Their contact information will be on the inspection results and PortlandMaps.
