Apply for a commercial plumbing permit and get a commercial plumbing inspection. Get all forms like the commercial plumbing permit application. Includes information about trade permit extension requests and trade permit reactivation requests. Condo owners doing plumbing work can also start here.
The form takes 15 minutes to complete if plans are not needed.
On this PageIf you operate a business in a commercial structure or at a commercial use site, a licensed plumbing contractor must buy the permit and do the work.
Contractors must have a license to work in Oregon. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) issues licenses to contractors. The permit application (below) and the contractor's company materials must list the license number.
All plumbing contractors additionally must be licensed by the Oregon State Plumbing Board (PB).
Installation of sanitary sewers starting five feet outside a structure also require a Plumbing Business (PB) license and CCB license.
Need help finding a contractor? The CCB website has good tips on how to search for one.
You can find information about residential plumbing permits on the Plumbing Permits—Residential webpage.
If you own a condo, you may be able to do some simple plumbing projects yourself. Please call the number listed on this webpage for Commercial Plumbing Inspections with questions.
Call the General Inquiries phone number if you have questions about getting a permit.
Water may require that you install a backflow prevention assembly at the property line. You'll install the assembly on your property on the center line of the City water service. Call Water at 503-823-7480 to learn more. You can also find more information in the sample site plan (often called a plot plan):
If your commercial building permit has had a plumbing plan review, complete these steps to get your plumbing permit:
If the plumbing work needs drawings and plan review, you must have plan review for complex structures. A plumbing system designed, constructed or reconstructed to accommodate any of the following:
We may ask you to provide more information, depending on your project type.
Plumbing plans shall contain the following information:
Food Service Establishments: You must get approval from the Multnomah County Health Department (503) 988-3400 before the plumbing plan review. Or you must have approval from the Oregon State Agriculture Dept. (503) 986-4720 before the plumbing plan review.
The Commercial Plumbing section of Portland Permitting & Development reviews the plans. It generally takes ten business days to review and issue the permit. If you have questions, please call Commercial Plumbing Inspections.
The Environmental Soils Section of Portland Permitting & Development approves septic tank installations.
Environmental Services needs to approve:
Based on the scope of work, the fees are listed on the plumbing application (below). On the application you will need to describe the scope of work and provide a detailed list of all plumbing work. If you have questions, please call the Commercial Inspections Plumbing.
To schedule an inspection, call the automated inspection request line. You will need your IVR or permit number and the three-digit code for the inspection.
Not approved - there are some reasons why the electrical work did not get approved:
The inspector will list the corrections needed on the inspection report.
Call for a reinspection after making the corrections. Use the same three-digit inspection code.
If you make the corrections the same day wait until 5 pm to request a reinspection. The inspector needs to enter their results before you can schedule the reinspection.
There is a reinspection fee charged for more than one reinspection for a single issue.
If you have questions before your inspection, you can talk to an inspector. The commercial plumbing inspector area map lists the inspector's name, area, and phone number. The best time to reach an inspector is between 7:30 and 8 a.m.
The Small Business Empowerment Program assists Black, Indigenous and people of color business owners and business owners with disabilities recognized by the ADA who have experienced barriers in the review process. Learn more about how we can help.
