Marion County, Oregon Building Permit Guide

Marion County’s Building Inspection Division reviews new construction and remodeling plans in unincorporated areas and for cities without their own building inspection programs. It is at 5155 Silverton Road NE, Salem, OR 97305, open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (503-588-5147, Building@co.marion.or.us). No new applications are started, and permits with a balance due are not picked up, after 4:30 p.m.

This guide covers the county division, the city splits it publishes and its planning, septic and road offices. The county’s building fee schedule still carries the date Effective September 1, 2015 (Order No. 15-70); its fees are quoted as printed, so confirm them with the division.

What requires a building permit in Marion County?

Each permit application gets a zoning review of the site plan by the county Planning Division or the city: setbacks are set, land-use conditions imposed, and an address assigned, or coordinated with the city if the site is inside an urban growth boundary. Since September 3, 2025, every permit carries Willamette Mercury TMDL language making construction site operators responsible for preventing sediment runoff. Work in county road right-of-way needs a permit from Public Works Land Development Engineering and Permits (LDEP).

Oregon’s building code and its exemptions are the same in Marion County as everywhere in the state, and an exemption from the building permit is not an exemption from zoning, land use or a trade permit. Site snow, wind and seismic values come from the state’s Oregon Design Criteria Hub. How Oregon’s statewide code works

Who handles permitting in Marion County?

The county issues all permits in unincorporated areas; in cities that contract with it, who handles what varies by permit type. Examples from the county’s list:

The Planning Division handles land use for all unincorporated areas from the same building, 5155 Silverton Rd NE (503-588-5038, Planning@co.marion.or.us), and takes application fee payments only in person there. LDEP is reached at (503) 584-7714 or MCLDEP@co.marion.or.us.

Septic and school taxes in Marion County

The Building Inspection Division runs the onsite septic program under contract with Oregon DEQ; systems over 2,500 gallons per day go to DEQ instead. With permits in unincorporated areas, the county collects school construction excise tax for the Cascade, Gervais, Jefferson, Silver Falls, North Marion and North Santiam school districts.

Marion County permit costs and fees

As printed in the schedule dated Effective September 1, 2015 (Order No. 15-70):

• New 1 and 2 family dwellings: $70.00 for $1 to $50,000 of valuation, and $70.00 for the first $50,000 plus $4.00 per additional $1,000 up to $200,000.
• Other buildings: $60.00 for $1 to $2,000, and $637.75 for the first $100,000 plus $3.95 per additional $1000 above $100,001.
• Zoning surcharge 20%, plan review 65% and fire and life safety plan review 40% of the structural permit fee; reinspection $52.00.
• Prescriptive-path solar photovoltaic permit $67.25 (application fee and one inspection); temporary certificate of occupancy for 1 and 2 family dwellings $50.00, one time.

Oregon fixes the method rather than the price: new construction is valued with the ICC building valuation data under OAR 918-050-0100, Marion County applies its own schedule, and a 12 percent state surcharge is added to every permit fee. How Oregon permit fees are set

How to get a building permit in Marion County

An Oregon building permit expires if work does not start within 180 days of issue or stops for 180 days; the building official can extend it in writing, 180 days at a time. Oregon’s statewide code rules

Inspections in Marion County

Inspections are scheduled through Oregon ePermitting online or the automated line 1-888-299-2821. A permit whose number does not start with 555- is searched in ePermitting with the 555- prefix added, for example 555-12-01234.

Official Marion County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Marion County Building Inspection
• Marion County permit responsibility by city
• Marion County building fee schedule
• Marion County onsite septic
• Marion County Planning Division
• Marion County right-of-way permits

Frequently asked questions

Does Marion County issue permits in Silverton or Aurora?

No. Both cities administer all their own permits and inspections.

How do I find an older Marion County permit in ePermitting?

Add the 555- prefix if the number does not start with it, for example 555-12-01234.

Does Marion County handle septic permits?

Yes, under contract with Oregon DEQ; systems over 2,500 gallons per day go to DEQ.

Simplify Marion County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm whether Marion County or the city issues each permit type
• Prepare the site plan for zoning review and the county application
• Coordinate septic, right-of-way and school excise tax items and book inspections

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Oregon. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Marion County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.