Know Before You Build

Thinking about developing property in Benton County? The Planning and Building Divisions are here to help guide you through the process from start to finish. As a regulatory authority, our primary goal is to ensure a safe built environment for our community to prosper.

STEP 1

Clearly define your project site

The location of your project site will determine what can or cannot be built there based on Benton County’s adopted Zoning Map and Development Code. Don’t worry, Community Development staff will help you determine the zoning designation and allowed land uses on your property.

STEP 2

Clearly define your project proposal

Do you want to build a new house on bare land? Demolish an existing structure like an old home or barn? Are you just trying to add a deck or garage to an existing home? Be sure to think ahead about all pieces of your project. For example, if you’re building a new home, will you also be building a garage, an accessory storage shed, adding a driveway, and needing access to well water and septic disposal?

Sharing all this information with Community Development staff early on reduces the possibility of any issues or unexpected costs arising later.

STEP 3

Find out if your project is in a floodplain

Make sure you know about the flood risk level for your project site before you or your
professionals begin designing your project. Avoid costly corrections by making sure you and your contractors pay attention to all floodplain requirements. Use our online floodplain information to help you plan your project or contact the Floodplain Manager to assist you or contact us for a free site consultation.

STEP 4

Ask us about a FREE site consultation

Depending on potential site constraints and the complexity of your project, Community Development staff may recommend a free site consultation. These meetings require a Site Consultation Worksheet to be submitted in advance.

Note: Site consultations are just for YOU, the customer, so county staff can help you understand development requirements before you hire professionals. Often times, simpler projects do not need a site consultation whereas more complex projects do. We will help make that determination with you over the phone.

Our commitment to you is reassurance that you will leave with a better understanding of how to proceed with your project and avoid issues down the road.

STEP 5

Understand tax implications

Remember that adding or removing structures on your property may impact your property taxes. Be sure to discuss possible tax implications with the Benton County Assessment Department, call 541-766-6855 or email assessment@bentoncountyor.gov

STEP 6

Apply for project permit(s)

Read to apply? Visit our forms and applications page for a complete list of planning and building-related application forms. Not sure what you need? No problem! Give us a call at 541-766-6819 and we will help you determine what forms you’ll need to submit a complete application.

Note: We’re working on a new tool to help make this easier in the future – stay tuned!

STEP 7

Application processing …

Wondering about the estimated timeframe for your permit(s) to be issued? It’s important to understand that certain projects require several different types of reviews and approvals from staff prior to issuance of permits.

As of July 2024, average processing times for common permit types are:

Demolition: 2 weeks
Dwelling: 5 weeks
Floodplain: 1-3 months
Land Use Authorization: 2-3 months
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing: <1 week
Septic: 4 weeks
Structural: 3 weeks

STEP 8

Track application progress

Curious about the status of your application? You can either:

Call us at 541-766-6819 to ask (be sure to have your permit number on hand), or
For building permits only, visit the Accela ePermitting page to check current status. (This is not currently available for planning approvals.)

STEP 9

Permits issued – you can build!

Once your permit(s) are issued, you will need to pick them up at Benton County’s Kalapuya Building located at 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333. The Community Development Department is on the 2nd floor

Schedule your building inspection(s) online or call (888)-299-2821.

Note: Once a building permit is issued, it is valid for 180 days. If an inspection passes, it extends the expiration date another 180 days. A permit extension can be requested by calling or emailing the Community Development Department.

STEP 10

Close out your project

Closing out your project includes: obtaining all necessary inspections throughout construction and meeting any land use conditions of approval.

These completion steps are critical in protecting your new investment. Did you know that many insurance companies these days are no longer covering claims for structures that were not permitted or fully inspected, (known as “finaled”)? That’s just one of the reasons why Benton County wants to help you navigate this process, to ensure your new home or other structure is protected in case of unforeseen circumstances.