Bolthole Index

Yamhill County, Oregon

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Sheridan, Oregon

Sheridan, Oregon requires building permits for new construction and specified alterations; the city approves building compliance, and Yamhill County issues building permits and performs inspections.12 Sheridan controls zoning inside city limits, while the Yamhill County Sanitarian handles septic approval after city land-use approval.34 RV living is time-limited and subject to city-manager permits.5

At a glance

Building permits
City building-compliance approval first; Yamhill County issues building permits62
Zoning
Sheridan reviews land use and zoning inside city limits3
Septic
County Sanitarian after city land-use approval4
RV living
Limited; construction-related residence may receive a permit for up to 90 days5
Minimum lot area
R-1 single-family: 7,000 square feet; R-2 detached single-family: 5,000 square feet78
Accessory dwelling
R-1 maximum: 450 square feet or 40% of primary dwelling, whichever is smaller9
Owner-built home
State exemption covers specified structural requirements; building permit still required10

Who to call

Zoning

Sheridan City Hall / Planning

City building-compliance applications, land-use review, RV permits and right-of-way construction applications

(503) 843-2347

120 SW Mill St. Sheridan, OR 97378

Zoning

Sheridan City Planner

City land-use, zoning-use and building-compliance review

503-843-2347

120 SW Mill St. Sheridan, OR 97378

Building permits

Yamhill County Planning & Development (Building)

County building-permit issuance and inspections after Sheridan building-compliance approval

503-434-7516

[email protected]

400 NE Baker Street 2nd Floor of the OMI Building McMinnville OR 97128

Septic permits

Yamhill County Planning & Development (Sanitation)

Septic site evaluations, installation permits, existing-system evaluations and repair permits

503-434-7516

[email protected]

400 NE Baker Street 2nd Floor of the OMI Building McMinnville OR 97128

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Sheridan means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Sheridan, OR?

Sheridan requires building permits for new construction and specified structural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical alterations to existing homes.1 Yamhill County provides building permits and inspection services for Sheridan, but an approved city Building Compliance Application must come before county issuance.2

Building your own home does not remove the building-permit requirement: Oregon’s owner-built exemption concerns ceiling heights, room sizes and specified temperature requirements, subject to eligibility and recording conditions.10 Ask the county building office how to document eligibility before designing around that exemption.11

Who issues Sheridan building permits, and who reviews zoning?

Start Sheridan building-compliance questions at City Hall and zoning questions with the City Planner; the planner reviews land-use, zoning-use and building applications.212 Submit the Building Compliance Application and supporting paperwork to City Hall before seeking county building-permit issuance.2

The city’s published building/demolition surcharge is $25, and the specialty-permit surcharge is $3; these are city surcharges rather than a complete project cost.13 Sheridan also charges actual contract-employee costs for land-use work, with a minimum $250 deposit and a refund of any overage after the application process ends.13 Request a project-specific fee estimate from City Hall.2

Does Sheridan have zoning, minimum lot sizes and height limits?

Sheridan has its own zoning, including Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Mixed Residential and a Floodplain Overlay District.14 Sheridan’s R-1 minimum lot area for a single-family dwelling is 7,000 square feet; the minimum increases by 50% when more than half of the residential lot exceeds a 20% slope.7

In Sheridan’s R-2 district, minimum single-family lot areas are 5,000 square feet for detached dwellings, 4,000 for dwellings attached on one side and 3,500 for dwellings attached on both sides.8 Principal structures generally have a 35-foot height limit in R-1 and R-2, with exceptions for specified public or quasi-public uses.1516 Ask the City Planner for the parcel’s district and applicable setbacks before choosing a house footprint.12

How do septic permits work inside Sheridan?

Where a Sheridan property uses onsite sewage disposal, city land-use approval comes first, followed by approval from the Yamhill County Sanitarian.4 New septic installations require a site evaluation and a septic permit before installation; inspections are part of the installation process.1718 Changing the use may require septic authorization, so discuss a replacement home or added bedrooms with Sanitation.17

We could not confirm Sheridan’s operative public-water or sewer connection thresholds; ask City Hall which connections the proposed home needs before pursuing an onsite system.2 Oregon’s guidance says a building within a sewer district still needs a sewer connection even when using a composting toilet.19

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Sheridan?

Sheridan prohibits sleeping or living in an RV for more than 15 days without a city-manager permit, and residing in an RV in a public place requires a permit.5 A construction-related RV permit may allow residence for up to 90 days, with a limited renewal available, when a dwelling is under construction and the applicant has a current building permit and meets the self-contained/no-health-hazard conditions.5

We could not confirm a tiny-home-specific occupancy rule or a general minimum dwelling floor area in Sheridan; ask the City Planner how the proposed structure is classified.12 Sheridan’s R-1 ADU standards cap floor area at 450 square feet or 40% of the primary dwelling’s floor area, whichever is smaller, and require compliance with building or manufactured-home standards.9 Confirm the currently enforceable ADU conditions with the planner before buying a unit.12

Building a home in Sheridan: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Ask Sheridan’s City Planner to review the parcel’s zoning and proposed use.12
  2. Prepare the Building Compliance Application with a scaled site plan and front elevation; flood-zone applications should include an elevation certificate and foundation vent plans.6
  3. Submit the city application and supporting paperwork to City Hall for approval before county building-permit issuance.2
  4. If onsite sewage disposal is proposed, obtain county site-evaluation approval and the septic installation permit after city land-use approval.17
  5. Obtain the building permit from Yamhill County and arrange required building inspections through the county’s service for Sheridan.2

Keep city land-use approval, county building-permit issuance and septic approval separate in the project schedule: Sheridan’s compliance approval is a prerequisite to county building-permit issuance, and septic approval follows land-use approval.24

What should you check before buying land in Sheridan?

Ask Sheridan’s City Planner about floodplain status before settling on a home design: in riverine zones with base flood elevations, new residential construction and substantial improvements generally need the lowest floor, including basement, at least 1 foot above base flood elevation, with separate manufactured-dwelling rules.20

Ask City Hall about right-of-way construction approval if the project involves work in the public right of way; the city publishes a Right of Way Construction Permit application.2 We could not confirm a Sheridan-specific private-well rule; ask City Hall about municipal water service and Oregon Water Resources about proposed well work.221

For property outside Sheridan city limits, use the Yamhill County guide; Sheridan’s city zoning review concerns land inside city limits.3

Watch-outs

  • Sheridan city compliance approval must precede Yamhill County building-permit issuance.2
  • A Sheridan construction-related RV permit requires a current building permit and qualifying conditions; do not assume bare-land RV residence is approved.5
  • We could not confirm Sheridan’s public-water or sewer connection thresholds; ask City Hall before planning septic or off-grid sanitation.2
  • Sheridan floodplain standards can change the required home elevation and supporting application documents.206

Sources

  1. Permits - Sheridan, OR (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  2. Sheridan City Hall / Planning (cityofsheridanor.com)
  3. Planning - Sheridan, OR (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  4. Yamhill County Building Permit Application Procedures (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sheridan Code § 10.36.020, Permits required (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  6. Permits - Sheridan, OR (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sheridan Code § 16.210.060, R-1 dimensional standards (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  8. Sheridan Code § 16.215.060, R-2 dimensional standards (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  9. Sheridan Code § 16.210.110, R-1 ADU standards (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  10. 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code - ORS 455.320 reprinted (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Yamhill County Planning & Development (Building) (yamhillcounty.gov)
  12. Sheridan City Planner (cityofsheridanor.com)
  13. Permits - Sheridan, OR (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  14. Planning - Sheridan, OR (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  15. Sheridan Code § 16.210.060, R-1 dimensional standards (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  16. Sheridan Code § 16.215.060, R-2 dimensional standards (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  17. Yamhill County Building Permit Application Procedures (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  18. Yamhill County Building Permit Application Procedures (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  19. What do I do with the finished material? (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Sheridan Code § 16.280.070, floodplain standards (Sheridan), quoted and re-checked
  21. Landowner Constructed Wells (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Sheridan

Sheridan’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction and specified structural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical alterations inside Sheridan city limits.

    • Yamhill County requires a completed and approved Building Compliance Application before issuing a permit.
    • Oregon's general residential-permit guidance states that the person performing the work, whether homeowner or contractor, is responsible for obtaining permits.
    • The state page's general descriptions apply to detached one- or two-family dwellings.
    “Permits are required for all new construction as well as for specific alterations to existing homes, which include structural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical changes.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Sheridan city limits; Sheridan's official planning page identifies zoning-use review, and the adopted Title 16 Development Code contains R-1, R-2, R-3 and other zoning districts.

    “Besides assisting citizens, developers, and builders, the City Planner reviews all land use, zoning use, and building permits, and prepares reports for the Planning Commission, the City Manager, and the City Council.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Sheridan city zoning districts and land-use standards.

    • The official city planning page links dimensional standards for R-1, R-2, R-3 and the Urban Transit District.
    • The adopted code excerpts identify R-1 Low Density Residential, R-2 Medium Density Residential, R-3 Mixed Residential and a Floodplain Overlay District.
    “Dimensional Standards of the R-1 District Dimensional Standards of the R-2 District Dimensional Standards of the R-3 District Dimensional Standards of the Urban Transit District”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwelling lots in Sheridan's R-2 Medium Density Residential District.

    • Detached, one-side-attached and two-side-attached single-family dwellings have different minimum lot areas.

    minimum detached single-family lot area: 5000 square feet · minimum one-side-attached single-family lot area: 4000 square feet · minimum two-side-attached single-family lot area: 3500 square feet

    “Single-family dwelling: a. Detached: five thousand (5,000) square feet, b. Attached (one side): four thousand (4,000) square feet, c. Attached (two sides): three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in Sheridan's R-1 Low Density Residential District.

    • Accessory-structure text in the fetched R-1 excerpt appears as "twenty (200 feet" and should be rechecked against the live code.
    • Certain public or quasi-public buildings may receive a height exception up to 1.75 times the district limit with increased yards.

    principal structure height: 35 feet (height exceptions apply to listed public or quasi-public uses)

    “Principal structure: thirty-five (35) feet;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle sleeping or living occupancy inside Sheridan city limits.

    • Occupancy over fifteen days requires a city-manager permit.
    • Residing in an RV in a public place requires a permit.
    • Temporary sleeping use off streets and outside a trailer court may be permitted for up to fifteen days with a permit.
    • A construction-related permit may allow residence for up to ninety days, renewable for thirty days, when a dwelling is being constructed and the applicant has a current building permit.
    • Approved RV parks are exempt from this chapter.
    • Non-sleeping/living RV parking is governed by general parking ordinances.

    ordinary temporary occupancy period: <= 15 days (Permit required for longer occupancy) · construction-related occupancy period: <= 90 days (Renewable for thirty days; current building permit and self-contained/no-health-hazard proof required)

    “It is unlawful to occupy any recreational vehicle used for sleeping or living purposes within the city for a period of time exceeding fifteen (15) days, or to reside in any recreational vehicle in any public place in the city, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the city manager.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on city property and temporary RV camping inside Sheridan city limits.

    • Camping on city property is unlawful unless expressly authorized by the municipal code.
    • Campsites or camp facilities are prohibited at Hebert Memorial Plaza and city property in the designated floodway unless otherwise authorized.
    • The city manager or designee may authorize temporary camping on city property during emergencies or special events.
    • Private-property RV sleeping is subject to Chapter 10.36 permits and time limits.
    “Except as expressly authorized by the Sheridan Municipal Code, it is unlawful at all times for any person to camp upon any city property.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in Sheridan's R-1 Low Density Residential District where allowed.

    • Owner must occupy the primary dwelling or ADU.
    • Maximum one ADU per detached single-family dwelling on a lot of record.
    • Maximum floor area is 450 square feet or 40 percent of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller.
    • Two additional paved or concrete on-site parking spaces are required per ADU.
    • The ADU must comply with Oregon Building Code or manufactured-home requirements and underlying district standards.
    • Detached ADUs have location, screening, height, separation and architectural requirements.

    maximum ADUs: 1 per detached single-family dwelling (lot of record) · maximum ADU floor area: <= 450 square feet (or 40 percent of primary dwelling gross floor area, whichever is smaller)

    “An ADU shall not exceed four hundred fifty (450) square feet of gross floor area, or forty (40) percent of the primary dwelling's gross floor area, whichever is smaller.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Accessory dwelling units in Sheridan's R-2 Medium Density Residential District where allowed.
      “An ADU may be "stick-built," a manufactured home or a modular structure. A storage container is not allowed.”
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Accessory dwelling units in Sheridan's R-3 Mixed Residential District where allowed.
      “A maximum of one (1) ADU for each detached single-family dwelling on a lot of record.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    New construction and substantial improvements in Sheridan special flood-hazard areas.

    • Flood openings, garage, residential, manufactured-dwelling and nonresidential standards vary by flood zone and project type.
    • In riverine zones with base flood elevations, new residential construction and substantial improvements generally require the lowest floor, including basement, at least one foot above base flood elevation.
    • Additional floodway and flood-opening rules apply.

    residential lowest floor elevation: >= 1 foot above base flood elevation (except manufactured dwellings, which have separate standards)

    “New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, except a manufactured dwelling, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to a minimum of one-foot above the base flood elevation.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City building-compliance and land-use application fees inside Sheridan city limits.

    • Actual engineering, inspection, planning and city-attorney costs may also be charged.
    • The city application states that the applicant is responsible for additional processing costs.
    • The city permits page states that a minimum $250 deposit applies to land-use contract-employee work, with overage refunded after completion.

    building/demolition permit surcharge: 25 USD · manufactured-home placement surcharge: 25 USD · specialty permit surcharge: 3 USD · minimum land-use contract-employee deposit: >= 250 USD (overage refunded after entire land-use application process)

    “Building/Demolition Permit: $25 Mfg. Home Placement: $25 Specialty Permit: $3”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-compliance and land-use permit process inside Sheridan city limits.

    • Submit a completed and approved Building Compliance Application to City Hall before Yamhill County issues a building permit.
    • The application requires a scaled site plan and front elevation plan; flood-zone applications should include an elevation certificate and foundation vent plans.
    • Applications or payment may be submitted in person, by mail or by fax.
    • The city planner reviews land-use, zoning-use and building permits.
    “Yamhill County requires a completed and approved Building Compliance Application prior to issuing a permit. The Building Compliance Application must be completed and submitted to City Hall with the appropriate paperwork.”

Rules another office applies inside Sheridan

Sheridan does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Who permits septicCounty

    Subsurface sewage disposal inside Sheridan city limits after city land-use approval.

    • Yamhill County's guide says city residents obtain land-use approval from the city's planning department first.
    • The county sanitarian handles subsurface sewage-disposal approval.
    “Once land use approval is obtained, approval for subsurface sewage disposal must be obtained from the sanitarian.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New subsurface sewage disposal systems inside Sheridan city limits where on-site sewage disposal is used.

    • Land-use approval must be obtained first.
    • A site evaluation is required before installing a septic tank and drain field.
    • The permit is required before installing the system.
    • Changing use may require septic authorization.

    processing time before permit issuance: up to six weeks (The county guide says applications preceding issuance may take up to six weeks.)

    “The permit is required prior to installing the system and involves on-site inspections to ensure correct installation.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of septic systems inside Sheridan city limits.

    • Inspection is part of the on-site disposal permit process.
    • An existing septic-system evaluation may be needed for construction on three acres or less or for loan approval.
    “The permit is required prior to installing the system and involves on-site inspections to ensure correct installation.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Sheridan or Yamhill County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Sheridan city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Sheridan city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Sheridan city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Sheridan city limits.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation inside Sheridan city limits.
4 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Sheridan publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Yamhill County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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