Building a Shop or Garage in Rural Clackamas County

A shop, detached garage or pole building is one of the most common rural projects. Clackamas County issues permits for these structures only as an accessory structure to the primary use of the property. Before the building review starts, two other County divisions look at the site.

What the County checks first

• Planning: confirms the use and building comply with the Zoning and Development Ordinance, verifies setbacks, identifies required land use reviews and checks any prior conditions of approval.

• Soils: decides whether onsite sewage disposal is involved, keeps buildings off the drainfield and verifies setbacks to the drainfield and septic tank.

• Buildable lot: a legally created lot, zoning that allows the use, street access, sewer or an approved onsite system, drainage and potable water.

The building review

The County needs complete construction plans and specifications for a code compliance review, and checks submittals for completeness at application. Incomplete submittals delay permit processing. The County provides a residential plan submittal checklist.

The agricultural exemption

• Covers structures for farming, forestry, equine or dog training facility use under ORS 455.315.

• Applies only on land zoned for farm or forest use.

• The building must be used only for agricultural operations and not open to the public. Non growing areas are capped at 10 people at a time.

• Land use approval is still required, and erosion control, mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits may still apply.

• Converting an exempt building to a permitted one later can require engineering review, code upgrades and inspections.

Choosing the path

A shop used for a business, personal vehicles, events or anything beyond farm operations generally belongs on a building permit. A building permit costs more up front in fees, system development charges and school taxes, but it carries no public access or occupancy limits and meets full code.

Common questions

Can I build a shop in Clackamas County without a house?

The County issues permits for garages and pole buildings only as accessory structures to the primary use of the property. Confirm the primary use with Planning first.

Does my barn qualify for an agricultural exemption?

Only on land zoned for farm or forest use, and only if the building is used solely for agricultural operations and not open to the public.

Do I still need electrical permits on an ag exempt building?

Possibly. The County notes that erosion control, mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits may still be required.

Why does septic matter for a shop?

The Soils Division keeps buildings off the drainfield and verifies setbacks to the drainfield and tank, which can move the building on the lot.

How SASHKOV handles it

• Confirms zoning, accessory use, setbacks and septic constraints for the parcel.

• Advises whether the building fits the agricultural exemption or needs a permit.

• Prepares the site plan and construction plans, with structural engineering for larger spans.

• Submits the permit and tracks it through inspection to final.

Where a building requires a licensed architect or engineer of record, SASHKOV brings them into the contract.

Start with a Site Snapshot for the parcel, delivered within 24 hours on business days. For full drawing sets, see Permit and Construction Documents.

Planning a shop or garage? Send the address, size and use, and SASHKOV will confirm the permit path and timeline in business days.