Bend Building Permits & Inspections
The Bend Building Department is officially known as the City of Bend Building Safety Division, part of the Community Development Department in Bend, Oregon. It handles building permit applications, construction plan reviews, permit issuance, and building inspections for projects under the city’s jurisdiction.
Homeowners, contractors, and developers can apply for permits, upload plans, pay fees, track applications, and request inspections through the city’s Online Permit Center. Before applying, confirm that your property is within Bend city limits and that the city is the correct permitting authority.
Need a permit or inspection in Bend? Use the official City of Bend Permit Center Portal. For building permit questions, call 541-388-5580, extension 2, or email building@bendoregon.gov. Permit assistance is available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Pacific Time, except most major holidays.
Department Contact Information
| Official Department | City of Bend Building Safety Division |
|---|---|
| Parent Department | Community Development Department |
| Service Area | City of Bend, Deschutes County, Oregon |
| Address | 710 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97703 |
| Office Location | Bend City Hall, first-floor Permit Center |
| Building Division Phone | 541-388-5580, ext. 2 |
| Building Division Email | building@bendoregon.gov |
| General Permit Center | permitcenter@bendoregon.gov |
| Customer Resources Hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Permit Inquiry Hours | Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Appointments | Not required for regular Permit Center assistance |
| Official Website | Building Safety Division |
Hours are in Pacific Time. The Permit Center is closed on most major holidays. Department information reviewed October 9, 2026.
Which Projects Need Building Permits in Bend?
Bend requires permits for many construction, alteration, and installation projects. The exact permit depends on the work, property, zoning, and applicable building code.
| Project | What to Know |
|---|---|
| New homes and additions | Building permits and plan reviews are generally required, with related trade permits where applicable. |
| Home remodeling | Structural alterations, new openings, and certain electrical, plumbing, or mechanical changes may require permits. |
| Decks and patio covers | Permit requirements depend on design, dimensions, attachment, and applicable exemptions. |
| Fences and retaining walls | Height, location, structural design, and zoning restrictions determine approvals. |
| Roof replacement | Reroofing requirements vary by roofing work, structural changes, and adopted rules. |
| Electrical and plumbing work | New circuits, fixtures, piping, service changes, and other regulated installations may need trade permits. |
| Heating and cooling systems | Furnaces, heat pumps, ventilation, and other mechanical installations may require permits. |
| Accessory dwelling units | ADUs require review of residential construction, site standards, utilities, and applicable development charges. |
| Commercial construction | New buildings, tenant improvements, changes of occupancy, and significant alterations may require multiple reviews. |
| Demolition | Permit requirements and Oregon environmental or asbestos-related rules may apply. |
Small projects are not automatically exempt. Before constructing a shed, fence, deck, or minor addition, check the project’s dimensions and location against the applicable rules. Work exempt from a building permit may still need zoning, historic preservation, electrical, or other approvals.
The city provides project-specific guidance for homeowners and contractors and developers.
How to Apply for a Bend Building Permit
Bend accepts permit applications through its Online Permit Center Portal. Paper applications are not accepted as an alternative submission method, although city staff can provide in-person assistance with the online process.
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Confirm your property and permit type
Check the address, city jurisdiction, and zoning before starting. In the Permit Center Portal, use Property Information to search by address. If unsure which application applies, contact the Building Safety Division.
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Create or sign in to your Portal account
Open the Portal and register with an email address you regularly use. Complete the email activation process. Registration is free.
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Choose the correct service area
Select Building Permits, Permanent Signs & SDC Estimates and choose Apply. Identify the correct application category for your project.
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Enter the project information
Provide the property address, project description, applicant and owner information, contractor details where applicable, and other requested information.
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Upload plans and supporting documents
Attach the required drawings, site information, calculations, and forms. Residential and commercial projects have different submittal requirements. Use the city’s current checklist before uploading.
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Submit the application and pay applicable fees
Review the information, complete submission, and follow the Portal’s payment instructions. Save the application reference number for future access.
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Respond to plan-review comments
Track the application under My Items. If reviewers request corrections, upload revised documents through the existing application rather than starting an unnecessary duplicate application.
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Receive approval and schedule inspections
After required reviews and payments are complete, obtain the issued permit before beginning regulated work. Keep the approved documents available at the job site and arrange inspections at the required construction stages.
Documents to Prepare Before Applying
Bend’s residential submittal checklist, revised September 2, 2026, identifies the documents and drawing standards that may apply to residential projects.
Typical Residential Application Checklist
- Property and site information: Address, property boundaries, setbacks, existing structures, utilities, access, and applicable site drainage.
- Architectural plans: Scaled floor plans, elevations, building dimensions, room uses, and relevant construction details.
- Structural plans: Foundation, framing, roof, bracing, and engineering details where required.
- Energy documentation: Applicable residential energy, lighting, moisture, and ventilation information.
- Stormwater documents: Applicable drainage and stormwater management forms.
- Special approvals: Zoning, historic preservation, septic, wildfire mitigation, or engineering approvals depending on the property and project.
For residential plan submissions, Bend’s published checklist specifies PDF files under 40 MB, legible scaled drawings, appropriate file naming, and flattened files. Unflattened plans may be returned for correction. Follow the checklist’s sheet-index, bookmarking, and approval-stamp requirements where applicable.
View the City of Bend Residential Submittal Checklist (PDF) →
For purely interior remodels, the residential checklist states that a site plan is not required. More extensive projects may require site plans showing property lines, setbacks, utilities, grading, drainage, and other site conditions.
Bend Building Permit Fees in 2026
Permit costs depend on the type of work, construction valuation, required plan reviews, trade permits, and applicable charges. Bend publishes a detailed fiscal-year 2026–27 fee schedule effective July 1, 2026.
| Published Fee Item | 2026 Scheduled Amount |
|---|---|
| Building permit valuation of $1–$11,000 | $243.70 base building permit fee |
| Building plan review | 65% of applicable building permit fee |
| Residential plumbing minimum permit fee | $160.98 |
| Fence permit, where applicable, up to 100 linear feet | $399.51 |
| Additional fence length | $121.25 per additional 100 linear feet or portion |
| State surcharge on applicable permits | 12% |
| City long-range planning surcharge | 4% on covered Community Development charges |
The schedule also provides for an affordable-housing construction excise tax of approximately 0.33% of building permit valuation and additional charges for certain commercial and industrial construction. System Development Charges (SDCs) may apply to new construction or expanded development.
These are scheduled fee components, not a complete permit quote. Residential building valuations use the state’s applicable valuation calculations; commercial projects use qualifying construction valuation. Actual totals depend on the project and applicable surcharges.
Payment Options
- Online: Credit/debit card, electronic check (EFT), PayPal, or Venmo through the Permit Center Portal.
- In person: Check or card at the Permit Center.
- By mail: Check mailed to the City of Bend Permit Center.
The city’s Portal guidance lists a 3.35% processing fee, with a $1.95 minimum, for card, PayPal, and Venmo payments. Electronic-check (EFT) payments and paper checks avoid that payment-processor fee.
Read the official 2026–27 fee schedule (PDF) →
How to Schedule Building Inspections
Construction inspections confirm that permitted work meets applicable safety requirements. Depending on the project, inspections may include foundations, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, and final construction approval.
Request an Inspection Online
- Sign in to the Permit Center.
Open the official Portal and log in with an account associated with the permit.
- Open My Items.
Expand the building permit application section and select your project’s reference number.
- Select Request Inspection.
Choose the inspection type or multiple available inspections.
- Choose a requested date.
Select the date, enter useful access notes, and provide the inspection contact email.
- Submit and confirm.
Complete the confirmation steps and check that the inspection appears under your project.
Inspection timing: Bend generally aims to complete inspections on the requested business day. If workload prevents this, the inspection is typically moved to the next business day. A specific requested date is not guaranteed.
Who Can Request an Inspection?
The permit applicant or a person listed as a contact on the project can request or cancel inspections. If your name is not associated with the permit, ask the applicant to add you or contact the Permit Center.
Cancel an Inspection or View Results
- Cancel: Open My Items, select the reference number, scroll to Inspections, and select Cancel next to the relevant inspection.
- View results: Open the same application’s Inspections section and review the Outcome column. Listed contacts also receive result notifications by email.
- Final inspection: The Portal does not allow final inspection scheduling until the other required inspections have passed.
Provide clear access to the inspection area. If inspectors cannot enter the required space, the inspection may fail. For inspection scheduling errors, email building@bendoregon.gov or call 541-388-5580, extension 2.
Building Codes and Local Requirements for 2026
Bend enforces Oregon’s applicable specialty building codes along with relevant local development and municipal requirements. Several code editions changed in 2026.
| Code | 2026 Status |
|---|---|
| Oregon Residential Specialty Code | 2026 ORSC Chapter 1 mandatory October 1, 2026. Construction chapters have a transition period until April 1, 2027. |
| Oregon Structural Specialty Code | 2025 OSSC mandatory April 1, 2026. |
| Oregon Electrical Specialty Code | 2026 OESC effective October 1, 2026. |
| Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code | 2026 OPSC effective October 1, 2026. |
| Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code | 2025 edition mandatory April 1, 2026. |
| Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code | 2025 OEESC mandatory July 1, 2025, for applicable construction. |
The 2026 Residential Specialty Code allows the 2023 or 2026 construction provisions during the applicable phase-in period, while the new administrative chapter is mandatory beginning October 1, 2026. Confirm which provisions govern your permit before submitting or revising plans.
Bend’s 2026 Wildfire-Hardening Requirements
For newly constructed dwellings and residential accessory structures, Bend’s published fire-hardening requirements apply to applications submitted on or after May 15, 2026.
Applicants must identify applicable wildfire-resistant construction measures on their drawings. The requirements address roofing materials, gutters, ember-resistant ventilation openings, eaves, exterior walls, and related construction assemblies.
Bend’s checklist also requires the Residential Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Checklist for applicable new-construction applications. Material selections must comply with the applicable code and accepted methods.
Read Bend’s 2026 Fire-Hardening Requirements (PDF) →
Official code references: Oregon adopted building codes and Bend Municipal and Development Codes.
Check Permit Status and Find Building Records
Use the city portal when you need to determine whether a permit is approved, awaiting corrections, issued, or ready for inspection.
- Open the Online Permit Center.
- Select Application Search within the Building Permits service area, or sign in and open My Items for your own application.
- Search using the relevant application reference number or available property information.
- Open the matching record and review its status, documents, fees, or inspections as permitted by your access level.
For older permits, building plans, and records not available through ordinary searches, the Building Safety Division supports public records requests. The city states that within 10 business days after acknowledging a request, it will either fulfill the request or provide an update and estimated completion date.
Submit an official City of Bend public records request →
Contractor Registration and Property Jurisdiction
Contractors Working in Bend
Contractors who need to be listed as the contractor of record must complete Bend’s contractor registration process. The city requires an Oregon Construction Contractors Board license number for this registration.
City contractor registration is free, and the published typical processing time is the next business day. This city registration does not replace required Oregon contractor licensing.
See Bend contractor registration instructions →
Properties Outside Bend City Limits
A Bend mailing address does not necessarily mean that the property falls within the city government’s building-permit jurisdiction. Some nearby properties are in unincorporated Deschutes County.
Check the property’s jurisdiction before applying. Properties outside city limits may be subject to different permitting authorities and zoning requirements. Certain services, including onsite septic systems, can involve county or state agencies even when a property is within the city.
If you cannot identify the responsible authority, use the Oregon Local Building Department Directory or contact the City of Bend Permit Center with the exact property address.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Bend Building Department located?
The City of Bend Building Safety Division operates through the Permit Center at Bend City Hall, 710 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97703. Permit inquiry hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding most major holidays.
2. What is the Bend Building Department phone number?
Call 541-388-5580, extension 2, for Building Safety Division questions. You can also email building@bendoregon.gov. For general permit assistance, contact permitcenter@bendoregon.gov.
3. How do I apply for a building permit in Bend?
Visit the City of Bend Online Permit Center Portal, create an account, select the correct building permit application, enter the project information, upload required documents, and submit the application. Pay applicable fees and respond to any plan-review corrections.
4. Can I submit a paper building permit application in Bend?
No. The City of Bend requires applications through its Online Permit Center Portal. Staff can help applicants navigate the system by phone, email, or in person at the City Hall Permit Center.
5. Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, fence, or remodel?
It depends on the project’s dimensions, location, structural work, and applicable exemptions. Even when a building permit is not required, zoning or other approvals may still apply. Confirm the requirements before starting work.
6. How much does a Bend building permit cost in 2026?
Fees vary by construction valuation and permit type. Bend’s July 2026 schedule lists a $243.70 base building permit fee for the $1–$11,000 valuation bracket. Plan-review fees, state and city surcharges, trade permits, and development charges may increase the total.
7. How long does Bend take to approve building permits?
Processing times depend on the project and completeness of the application. Simple permits may take much less time than projects requiring structural, planning, engineering, or multiple agency reviews. The city does not provide one guaranteed approval time for every permit type.
8. How do I schedule a building inspection in Bend?
Log in to the Online Permit Center Portal, open My Items, select the issued permit, and choose Request Inspection. Select the inspection type and requested date, then confirm the request. You must be the applicant or a listed project contact.
9. How can I check inspection results or permit status?
Sign in to the Permit Center Portal and open the relevant application under My Items. Review the application status or the Outcome column in the Inspections section. Public application searches can also be used to find available permit information.
10. Which building codes apply in Bend in 2026?
Bend follows applicable Oregon specialty codes and local requirements. The 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code began its phased implementation on October 1, 2026, while new 2026 electrical and plumbing codes also took effect that day. Confirm the applicable code edition for your project’s application date.
Official Bend Building Department Resources
- Building Safety Division — Official department information, permits, inspections, and updates.
- Online Permit Center Portal — Applications, permit searches, document uploads, payments, and inspections.
- Inspection Requests — Scheduling, cancellations, results, and common problems.
- Property Owners Permitting Guide — Residential construction and home improvement requirements.
- Permit Portal Help — Account registration, payments, corrections, and troubleshooting.
- Fees and Charges — Published city permit and development fee documents.
- Oregon Building Codes Division — Adopted specialty codes, code editions, and state amendments.
Confirm your property’s jurisdiction, permit requirements, applicable 2026 code edition, zoning approvals, and required drawings. Use the city portal to submit the application and wait for the required approvals before beginning regulated work.
Need project-specific help? Call 541-388-5580, extension 2, or email building@bendoregon.gov.
Information reviewed: October 9, 2026. This independent guide is not affiliated with the City of Bend or the State of Oregon. Permitting requirements, fees, and code provisions can change. Official agency instructions and applicable law control.