Planning to do mechanical work on State of Oregon offices Building Codes Division...... 800-442-7457 your house or duplex? or...... 503-378-4133 Mechanical Code Specialist...... 503-373-7529 Do I need a You have three options to get the Construction Contractors Board...... 503-378-4621 work done: Better Business Bureau...... 503-226-3981 Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline: 1. You can hire a licensed contractor. Portland...... 503-229-5576 Salem...... 503-378-4320 mechanical 2. You can do the work yourself without Toll-free...... 877-877-9392 a license. 3. You can have an immediate family member do the work without a license. permit? Anyone else who isn’t a CCB-registered contractor, legally cannot do the work. This includes friends, neighbors, and tenants. If you have questions regarding a contractor’s eligibility to perform work on your property, call the Construction Contractors Board, 503-378-4621. $ PermitsProtect.info Safe Homes. Secure Investments. Smart Communities.

Building Codes Division 1535 Edgewater St. NW P.O. Box 14470 Salem, OR 97309-0404

440-2673 (2/11/COM) t www.PermitsProtect.info Common Questions and Key Information Regarding Mechanical Permits

What is mechanical work? yyInstall portable ventilation appliances What steps do I follow at the building such as room air cleaners and Mechanical work is work on heating, department office to get my permit? whole-house window fans. cooling, and ventilation systems, including 1. Briefly describe the work you yyInstall portable air conditioners, bath vents and wood stoves. It also plan to do. For example: such as window units, that plug into includes installation, alteration, or repair an electrical outlet. y of gas piping between the meter or liquid yDescribe the appliance you intend y petroleum gas (LPG) tank and equipment. yReplace any minor part that does not to install and whether you will change the equipment beyond its be installing a new vent, new When do I need a permit for original certification or make it unsafe. ductwork, etc. mechanical work? yyChange furnace filters. yyKnow how many outlets for future A permit is required when you: gas appliances you will need, if If you are still not sure if you need a permit, applicable to your project. check out PermitsProtect.info, it is a great yyInstall or change any part of a yyKnow whether the appliance is resource for additional information. heating or cooling system that certified to meet Department of needs to be vented into any kind How do I get a permit for Environmental Quality emission of chimney. mechanical work? standards. yyInstall an unvented fuel-fired 2. Pay your fee. appliance, such as “gas log” sets. 1. Locate your local building department. yyInstall a wood stove, fireplace insert, If you are able to provide all the necessary information and pay your fee, you can pellet stove, or related venting. 2. Complete the permit application – usually leave with your permit the same day. yyInstall, alter, or repair gas piping Jurisdictions offer permit applications between the meter or LPG tank at their office and many also provide How do I get an inspection? and an appliance, either indoors them online or via fax. or outdoors. Follow these steps: 3. Pay the permit fee – Permit fees are yyInstall bath fans, dryer exhausts, yyCall the request line at the building based on the size and complexity of kitchen range exhausts, and department responsible for your your project and are paid when the appliances that are required to area at least 24 hours in advance. permit is issued. be vented. yyWhen you call to make the A permit is not required when you: 4. Receive your permit – A permit will appointment, have all the details be issued in the name of the person (permit number, project address, yyInstall portable heating appliances, performing the work and once the etc.) available. cooking appliances, clothes dryers, permit has been issued, the work yyIf the work was done inside, an cooling units, evaporative coolers, can begin. adult needs to be at the site for and other portable appliances, such the inspection. as freezers, washing machines, and refrigerators.