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1. What is a site development permit?

A site development permit authorizes a range of actions that do not include a building in the scope of work. Examples include:

• Grading and fill
• Private improvements for one or more lots to include storm sewers, sanitary sewers and private streets
• Park development
• Miscellaneous site improvements that could include parking lot paving

2. When is a site development permit required?

A site development permit is required for site-related work that is independent of building construction. This can include significant grading and fill; private streets, sidewalks and utilities; retaining walls; parks improvements and parking lot improvements. There are some exemptions for grading, but they are limited in scope and include things such as cemetery graves and excavations for wells and trenches.

Protections may be required for natural resources on a vacant lot, and measures may be needed to stabilize the site and prevent erosion. If you are doing any site work, a permit may be required. Check with Intake staff at the Permit and Information Center. They can help you verify the conditions and permits that apply to your situation.

3. What is the difference between a site development permit and a PEPI permit?

PEPI is an acronym for Privately Engineered Public Improvements. A PEPI permit authorizes privately engineered public improvements. It allows certain work to be constructed within existing and proposed rights of way. Common improvements through the PEPI include streets, sidewalks and public wastewater and stormwater utilities.

This work must be constructed to national and local standards, and is inspected by Public Works during the construction phase. When a PEPI is associated with creation of new lots through a subdivision or partition, the City issues the PEPI first – to allow construction of the public improvements before individual buildings are started. This PEPI work must be substantially complete before building permits are issued in order to protect the right of way.

A site development permit is for work on private property, and standards are in local codes and such state codes and the Oregon Plumbing Code. Requirements for public and private property differ.

4. What is the difference between a site development permit and a phased permit?

Phased permitting is a way to accommodate commercial construction projects for which it is advantageous for the owner/developer to complete development in phases. Typically, phased permits contain the following in order – whether as individual phases or in combination packages:

• Site preparation
• Site utilities
• Foundation & building shell
• Tenant infill

5. Why are there separate processes for site development permits and phased permits?

Site development permits and phased permits address two very different situations. Having separate processes allows us to best meet construction needs. Site development permits deal with site work without building components. Phased permits involve the construction of a building, with site development work often being the first phase of construction.

6. If there is a pending land use application (such as site review or subdivision), can I prep the ground?

Usually not. Under limited circumstances, we can allow some grading and fill, but that would only be allowed if: (1) the code allowed approval of a development permit; and, (2) the zoning or pending land use application would not require protection of natural resources.

7. Can a site development permit be submitted before approval of the land use application?

Find a comprehensive answer to this question.

8. Can I submit a site development permit application, if the PEPI hasn’t been approved?

Although there is no code prohibition, we usually discourage submitting the site development permit application before PEPI approval because the approved PEPI plans are part of the review process for the site development permit. When a PEPI is underway, there often is an associated land use application, such as a subdivision or partition. Information and approvals from those land use processes also are needed in the review and approval of site development permits.

9. How much does a site development permit cost?

The base charge for a site development permit, which includes reviews by Public Works and Land Use, is $963.56. Additional fees may apply depending upon the scope of work. If a plumbing permit is needed for a private storm sewer, building permit for grading or fill, or fire safety and systems review by the Fire Department, additional fees will apply. For limited site development work such as grading/fill only, the final fee can be less than the standard $963.56, depending on the number of cubic yards being moved from or placed on the lot.

10. Who will do the inspections for the site development permit?

Inspections on private improvements are handled by State-certified inspectors from Building & Permit Services (BPS) for structural grading and fill and plumbing. If the scope of work includes natural resource protections and land use conditions, a BPS land use inspector also visits the site. PEPI improvements are inspected by Public Works staff.

It can be difficult for contractors to distinguish between private and public improvements, and the applicable standards differ – resulting in separate reviews and inspections that are part of an overall development process. All private improvement inspections must be requested through our online inspection scheduling application similar to other inspection requests.

You must request all required inspections on a project. Without approval for all inspections, a site development permit could expire and permit renewal (more fees) would be required. For information about the inspection process, contact inspection support staff Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 541-682-5283. If you do not have access to a computer, our inspection support staff will also be able to assist you in scheduling the inspection.