City of Keizer, OR

Common application types

• Single family home
• Residential interior remodel
• Accessory structure or fence
• Commercial new or alteration
• Tenant improvement or change of use
• Sign (building permit)
• Electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits
• Septic (Marion County)
• Deferred submittals (Marion County)

New homes and additions

Single family homes and residential remodels are applied for at the City of Keizer; additions, room conversions (attic, garage, basement) and changes to walls, windows or doors generally need a permit. Septic permits and plumbing or electrical permits with plan review are handled by Marion County. Keizer zoning standards apply in addition to the state building code.

ADUs and middle housing

Keizer's development code includes attached and detached accessory dwelling units (KDC 2.403) and cottage cluster development (KDC 2.432). A Middle Housing Land Division (KDC 3.115) is available for duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters, reviewed by the Zoning Administrator; submittals include a preliminary plat, written statement, title instrument and draft easements, and each child lot needs separate water and sewer connections.

Decks, retaining walls and accessory structures

The City lists garages, carports or sheds larger than 200 sq ft, and decks, porches or stairs more than 30 inches above ground, as projects likely to need a permit; pool, hot tub and spa fences also need one. Keizer publishes separate zoning flyers for accessory structures (KDC 2.313) and fences, walls and hedges (KDC 2.312.10).

Commercial tenant improvements and change of use

Tenant improvements, change of use and new or altered commercial buildings are applied for at the City of Keizer, while fire sprinkler systems and electrical or plumbing permits with plan review go to Marion County. The City notes that almost all commercial projects require a permit.

Land use review

Keizer's Planning Division processes partitions, subdivisions, property line adjustments, middle housing land divisions, variances (including minor variances), conditional uses, comprehensive plan map amendments and zone changes, master plan amendments and floodplain development permits. The City publishes a Pre-application Meeting Request form with its informational flyers.

Tips from SASHKOV

• Check the City's Where to Apply list first: some permit types are filed only with the City, some only with Marion County, and some with either.
• Septic, fire sprinkler and deferred submittals go to Marion County Building Inspection, not the City.
• Final plats for middle housing land divisions must be recorded within 2 years of the final decision.

Where to apply

Permitting authority: Planning Department, Building Permit Division. Online submittals: Oregon ePermitting.