City of St Helens

Building Department

265 Strand, City Hall

Phone:  503.397.6272

Fax: 503.397.4016

Inspection Line: 503.366.8234

Brian Don – Building Official, Plans Examiner

Heidi Davis – Building/Administrative Secretary

Building Department – General Information

Obtaining Permits

The following web pages have detailed information for homeowners and contractors regarding the necessary permits, and using licensed contractors to assist you with your building projects.

www.permitsprotect.info

www.bcd.oregon.gov

Who is responsible for obtaining permits?

•   The property owner or contractor is responsible for obtaining structural,

mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and manufactured dwelling setup

permits.  For electrical permits, see Columbia County – Land Development Services, phone 503.397.1501.

•   Applications are available at the Building Department or on the City’s

Web page.  Contact the Building Department at 503.366.8209 to request

an application via fax.

•   You may be required to obtain zoning (Planning Dept.) approval before

a permit will be issued.  Contact the Planning Dept. at 503.397.6272 for

further information.

How long will it take to get a permit approved?

•   Review times vary, depending on the complexity of the project and the

level of information submitted with your application.  Small jobs most times

can be issued “over the counter”, while a single family dwelling can take  up to two weeks, and up to four weeks for commercial projects.  Again,

if the application, plot plan and drainage plan, and other requirements of

the project are submitted correctly and are all approved, depends on how soon the application/permit is issued.