Oregon homeowners trying to determine whether they need a building permit will now be able to find out with ease and efficiency.

The newly renovated website www.permitsprotect.info will help inform homeowners and contractors about the building permit process. Created as a joint effort between state government and the construction industry, the website was created by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services Building Codes Division. With specific information about types of permits and steps to obtain them, the website also lists resources and useful links for renovators.

“It’s a wonderful site,” said Melanie Paule, support services supervisor for the city of Bend’s Building Division. “I think it’s pretty comprehensive and informational.” According to Paule, the Building Division uses the tools and links on the website frequently.

Clarifies the law

Permits are required by law for any new construction, as well as any structural, plumbing, electrical or mechanical renovations. However, the necessity of a building permit for home improvement projects is not always so clear-cut. For example, installing low-voltage wiring for garage door openers or installing phone outlets would not require a building permit, even though they might seem like electrical renovations. The website helps home renovators save time by listing examples of projects that require permits and projects that don’t.

Raises awareness

Another goal of the website is to alert people to the necessity of permits, which helps officials ensure improvement projects are done safely and effectively.

According to Paule, the website is great because it provides permit information for state residents. However, she recommends Bend residents looking for information about getting a permit follow the website’s link to the city’s Building Division to find out more, as occasionally, local regulations may supersede the state’s.

Permits must be obtained either by the homeowner or the contractor assigned to the project.

Local residents looking to find out more about building permits can visit www.permitsprotect.info, and for more specific information about regulations, residents can visit http://www.ci.bend.or.us/depts/community_development/building_division_2/permits_protect.html.