City of Milwaukie, OR

Common application types

• Building Permit
• Electrical Permit
• Mechanical Permit
• Plumbing Permit
• Sign Permit
• Site Development Permit
• Right-of-Way Permit
• Erosion Control Permit
• Tree Permit
• Land Use Application (Type I to V)

New homes and additions

The city publishes a Residential Checklist for Submittal and a Residential Checklist Companion, plus a Residential Energy Paths - Additional Measures handout (titled for the 2021 ORSC). Projects that develop or redevelop more than 500 sq ft of impervious surface must manage stormwater onsite, reviewed under the city's adopted 2025 City of Portland Stormwater Management Manual.

ADUs and middle housing

Updated zoning took effect June 3, 2022 to comply with HB 2001. Allowed types depend on lot size: townhomes and cottage cluster cottages from 1,500 sq ft; single-detached homes with up to two ADUs, duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes from 3,000 sq ft; and cottage clusters on lots of 7,000 sq ft or more (new single-detached homes need at least 5,000 sq ft). Off-street parking is not required for middle housing, and the city extended that citywide. Middle housing units may be placed on separate lots under certain circumstances through a middle housing land division.

Decks, retaining walls and accessory structures

The Building Division publishes a Sheds Exempt from a Permit handout, a Deck Design Guide and Typical Deck Details. Exempt sheds should still be checked with Planning, which may have different requirements.

Land use review

The review type (I to V) determines the decision maker. Type II and III notices go to Neighborhood District Associations and nearby owners and occupants, the Planning Commission decides Type III applications such as variances and conditional uses, and Type IV and V applications such as zone changes and code amendments go to City Council on a Planning Commission recommendation. The Design and Landmarks Committee reviews downtown applications and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission, and decisions become final if not appealed within two weeks of the Notice of Decision.

Tips from SASHKOV

• Electrical and plumbing plan reviews are performed by Clackamas County under contract with the city.
• The building counter is open Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 1 PM.
• A standalone residential drywell with no other improvements uses a site development permit.

Where to apply

Permitting authority: Building Division. Online submittals: Online Permits (Oregon Accela Citizen Access).