You can act as your own general contractor in Oregon without a Construction Contractors Board license1. You must sign the property owner statement before your residential construction permit is issued1. You still need a building permit for your house under Oregon’s residential code2. Residential building permits are listed as required on unincorporated land in 34 Oregon counties3.
Can I be my own general contractor in Oregon?
You can take responsibility for construction in Oregon without a CCB license by signing the homeowner statement.
You can take responsibility for construction in Oregon without a CCB license by signing the homeowner statement1. It covers work on property you own or a residence where you live or will live1. Sign the statement before your residential construction permit is issued1.
If you hire subcontractors in Oregon, you must use subcontractors licensed with the CCB1. Plumbing and electrical subcontractors must also have Building Codes Division licenses1. If you later hire a general contractor, choose one licensed with the CCB1. Immediately give that contractor’s name to the office issuing your building permit1.
Does Oregon’s owner-builder exemption have a waiting period?
Oregon applies a 5-year lookback to prior use of its limited owner-built code exemption.
Oregon applies a 5-year lookback to prior use of its limited owner-built code exemption4. That period applies to relief from structural-code rules on ceiling heights, room sizes and maintaining specific temperatures4. Do not treat it as a general contractor-license waiting period in Oregon4.
You must intend to occupy the structures to qualify for Oregon’s code relief4. You must be the recorded title owner or qualifying contract purchaser shown on the last available complete assessment roll4. You must build structural components entirely yourself or with unpaid help from friends and relatives4. You still need a building permit4.
What building permits and inspections does an Oregon owner-builder need?
You need a building permit for a new Oregon house even if you build it yourself.
You need a building permit for a new Oregon house even if you build it yourself2. Apply to the building official before starting work covered by the residential code2. Oregon’s BCD directs you to the local jurisdiction for code questions and land-use allowances specific to your project6.
Required inspections determine when you can move to the next construction stage2. Keep your work exposed and accessible until the building official approves it2. Notify the official when your work is ready for each inspection2. A final inspection follows completion of the work covered by your building permit2. Before you move into a new Oregon dwelling, get a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate2.
Can I build a small house without an Oregon building permit?
Oregon’s small accessory-building exemption does not cover structures intended for sleeping or permanent cooking.
Oregon’s small accessory-building exemption does not cover structures intended for sleeping or permanent cooking2. It covers qualifying nonhabitable, detached, single-story accessory structures up to 200 square feet and 15 feet high2. The area limit can increase to 400 square feet on parcels of at least 2 acres2. You cannot use Oregon’s shed exemption to authorize a small house to occupy2.
You also need paperwork if you use Oregon’s limited owner-built design relief4. Your building permit must note compliance with the otherwise exempted requirements4. If the structure does not comply, file the permit copy and a legally sufficient property description with the county clerk’s permanent deed records4.
Where do Oregon counties differ for owner-builder building permits?
Residential building permits are listed as required on unincorporated land in 34 Oregon counties.
Residential building permits are listed as required on unincorporated land in 34 Oregon counties3. Those include Union County, Umatilla County and Jefferson County3. Treat Oregon’s owner-built design relief as a separate question from your building permit application4.
Your online application options depend on the Oregon city or county5. Participation in Oregon ePermitting is voluntary5. Each participating jurisdiction chooses which building permits it offers online5. Ask your local building department which application covers your address and proposed house6. Ask the same office about zoning and land-use allowances before you commit to a house plan6.
How do I apply for an Oregon owner-builder permit?
To apply through Oregon ePermitting, create an account and download the homeowner acknowledgement form.
To apply through Oregon ePermitting, create an account and download the homeowner acknowledgement form5. Search for your work-site address, enter owner contact details and upload the form5. Then enter your work details5. Your participating city or county contacts you when building permit fees are ready to pay and when your building permit is issued5.
Check the requirements for doing your own plumbing or electrical work in Oregon1. The homeowner statement lists separate legal requirements for doing that work yourself1. Ask BCD which trade-license rules apply before you decide to do either trade6. Hiring unlicensed labor can also make you an employer with employment responsibilities1.
Watch-outs
- Oregon’s 5-year restriction concerns limited owner-built code relief, not a stated blanket contractor-license exemption4.
- You cannot use Oregon’s nonhabitable accessory-building exemption for an accessory structure intended for sleeping2.
- Hiring unlicensed labor in Oregon can give you employer responsibilities1.
- You need a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate before moving into a new Oregon home2.
Sources
6 official pages, each quoted and re-checked · written November 5, 2026
- Oregon Construction Contractors Board (oregon.gov)
- Oregon: 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Chapter 1
- Bolthole Index county rulebook, 36 Oregon counties, as of November 13, 2026: Oregon counties that require a residential building permit in unincorporated areas
- Oregon: 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code - ORS 455.320 reprinted
- Oregon: Online building permit application process for homeowners
- Oregon Building Codes Division (oregon.gov)
Written November 5, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.