City of Eugene, OR

Common application types

• Residential building permit (plan review)
• Residential Express Permit
• Commercial building permit (plan review)
• Commercial Express Permit
• Electrical, mechanical and plumbing specialty permits
• Partition, Tentative
• Middle Housing Land Division, Tentative
• Conditional Use Permit
• Planned Unit Development, Tentative Plan
• Willamette River Greenway Permit

New homes and additions

New single-family homes, duplexes and secondary dwelling units, plus additions, alterations, garage conversions, decks and retaining walls require a building permit submitted through eBuild using the residential file naming standards. Applicants should confirm zoning standards in Eugene Code Chapter 9 and address stormwater management, erosion prevention and utility connections. Smaller projects on an existing single-family dwelling or duplex, including single-story additions under 500 sq ft, may qualify for a same-day Residential Express Permit unless excluded by land use conditions, a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, an erosion permit requirement, creation of a new dwelling unit or overall building area over 3,599 sq ft.

ADUs and middle housing

ADUs are permitted in all residential zones on lots with a single primary dwelling. The City's ADU handout limits ADU building square footage to the smaller of 10 percent of lot area or 800 sq ft (EC 9.2751(17)); in the Amazon, Fairmount and South University neighborhood areas the limit is 600 sq ft on lots under 9,000 sq ft, with bedroom limits. Eugene amended its land use code under HB 2001 to allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters and townhouses in residential zones, and offers a Middle Housing Land Division application with a choice of the Eugene Code procedure or the expedited state procedure (decision within 63 days, no public notice). The City also runs a Pre-Approved ADU Plans program.

Decks, retaining walls and accessory structures

Decks, retaining walls and accessory structures such as garages, carports and shops require a building permit, while small storage sheds and play equipment are exempt but must still meet setbacks and height limits. Decks designed to IRC R507 and single-story garden sheds or shops under 500 sq ft on an existing single-family dwelling or duplex can qualify for Residential Express.

Commercial tenant improvements and change of use

Commercial tenant infill and single-tenant alterations under 10,000 sq ft may qualify for a Commercial Express Permit, as can a change of use or occupancy that does not add or reclassify to an A, E, I, H or R occupancy. Projects in the Special Flood Hazard Area, with hazardous materials, high-piled storage or historic structure alterations go through standard plan review in eBuild.

Land use review

Eugene land use applications include tentative partitions, tentative middle housing land divisions, conditional use permits and planned unit developments. A pre-application conference is required for conditional use permits, PUD tentative plans and Willamette River Greenway permits, and may be requested for large, complex or multi-application projects.

Corrections and review

Each plan review project has an assigned project coordinator, and supplemental information can be submitted before the review cycle begins. The City does not publish specific plan review timeframes, noting they vary by scope; Express Permits are usually issued the same day as the review appointment.

Tips from SASHKOV

• Check Residential and Commercial Express eligibility before submitting; qualifying projects can often be issued at a same-day appointment.
• Properties in the Amazon, Fairmount or South University neighborhood areas have different ADU size limits and are excluded from Residential Express.
• Contact EWEB and Northwest Natural before construction, including before pouring foundations for new gas service.

Where to apply

Permitting authority: Planning and Development, Building and Permit Services. Online submittals: eBuild.