FAQs
City Inspections
Inspections should be scheduled one of the following ways: Online: BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov; by Phone: 1-888-299- 2821; or, by Downloading the ORinspect app.
Please note: the ePermittlng system is maintained by the state and any questions or issues should be directed to them. For assistance, contact 503-373-7396 or //Oregon.epermltting@oregon.gov/">Oregon.ePermltting@oregon.gov.
City Policies
Yes. A Sandy home owner may work on their property between the hours of 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM on weekdays, and from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends. Please click on the following link for the official City of Sandy policy on construction hours.
Yes. Please click on the following link for our Design Criteria handout.
Yes you do -- this is required by law in Oregon. Please click the following link to the Oregon Utility Notification Center for more information.
Decks, Porches and Patios
Decks greater than 30 inches in height OR greater than 200 square feet in total area require a building permit for structural review and land use development review.
Uncovered patios do not require a building permit, but rain water may not sheet flow off of patio surfaces on to neighboring property.
Covered patios larger than 200 square feet require a building permit.
Please contact the City of Sandy Building Department at building@cityofsandy.com
Emergency Egress (escape windows and window wells)
Yes we do. Click on the following link for our "Emergency Escape & Rescue Openings" handout.
Fences
Only fences in excess of seven (7) feet in height require a building permit.
Residential Standards:
1. Fences on corner lots. Any fence or retaining wall, constructed upon or adjacent to any property line that abuts two or more intersecting streets, shall not exceed 30 inches in height within the clear vision area.
2. Fences in a required front yard. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required front yard shall not exceed 4 ft.
3. Fences - side and rear yards abutting streets. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required side or rear yard abutting a public right-of-way shall not exceed 6 ft.
4. Fences - side and rear yards abutting other lots. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required side or rear yard abutting other lots shall not exceed 8 ft.
5. Sight Obscuring Hedges. Trees or shrubs that form a sight-obscuring hedge shall comply with the same height requirement as a fence within the clear vision area. Deciduous trees separated by at least 15 ft. may grow to any height.
6. Front Yard Fences for Existing Dwellings on Major Arterials. The height of a fence in a required front yard for an existing dwelling (constructed prior to July 1, 1996) facing a major arterial shall not exceed a height of 6 ft. outside the clear vision area.
7. Fences on Through Lots. Gates are required in rear-yard fences on through-lots since it remains the property owners’ responsibility to maintain the area from the curb or edge of pavement to a proposed fence.
Commercial/Industrial Standards:
1. Fences on corner lots. Any fence or retaining wall, constructed upon or adjacent to any property line that abuts two or more intersecting streets, shall not exceed 30 inches in height within the clear vision area.
2. Fences in a required front yard. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required front yard shall not exceed 4 ft.
3. Fences - Side and Rear Yards. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required side street, side or rear yard or adjacent to a side or rear property line shall not exceed 8 ft.
4. Sight Obscuring Hedges. Trees or shrubs that form a sight-obscuring hedge shall comply with the same height requirement as a fence within the clear vision area. Deciduous trees separated by at least 15 ft. may grow to any height.
Any recreational court may be enclosed by a wire fence not exceeding 12 ft. in height provided that no part of the court fence is within 20 ft. of any street.
A swimming pool, hot tub or other man-made outside body of water, which has a depth greater than 18 inches shall be enclosed with a fence not less than 4 ft. and not more than 8 ft. in height. If located on or surrounded by a deck, the deck shall be enclosed with a railing with a height of not less than 4 feet and not more than 8 feet. The fence or railing shall not have any openings, holes or gaps larger than three inches square, except for doors or gates. Any gate shall be equipped with a selfclosing, self-latching device. A dwelling unit and/or accessory building may form part of the enclosure.
Exception: This regulation does not apply to wetland areas and storm water detention facilities. However, fencing requirements may be imposed through the design review process.
Barbed wire fencing may be permitted for agricultural, community service, commercial or industrial uses when the wire is employed on the top of any other type of fencing, and when the barbed wire is a minimum of 6 ft. above the finished ground surface, and does not extend over a public way. The maximum height shall not exceed 8 ft.
No electrically charged or sharp-pointed fencing such as razor wire (other than barbed wire fencing) shall be constructed or maintained within the city limits.
Handrails
Yes we do. Click on the following link for our "Dwelling Handrails" handout.
Residential Accessory Structures
Residential accessory structures that are non-habitable, 200 square feet or smaller and no higher than 10 feet measured from the finished floor to the top of the top plate do not require a building permit.
Important Note: Garages, carports or like structures that have the ability to contain a motor vehicle require a building permit regardless of the size or height of the structure.
Residential accessory structures that are over 200 square feet or over 10 feet high measured from the finished floor to the top of the top plate need a building permit.
1. Accessory structures shall comply with the setback requirements for the main building except where specifically modified by Development Code Section 17.74.
2. No accessory structure shall be located in a required front yard or side yard setback, except where specifically modified by Development Code Section 17.74.
3. An accessory structure on a corner lot shall meet a minimum street side yard setback except for private vehicle storage.
Wood Stoves
Uncertified woodstoves burn about 70 percent dirtier than certified woodstoves. They also burn far less efficiently and require more fuel than newer, certified stoves. These older, polluting stoves can remain in service for dozens of years. Removing them from service would help Oregon's efforts to restore and preserve healthy air and save homeowners money.
Wintertime residential wood burning is a significant source of air pollution, including fine particulates and air toxics. At times, heavy smoke from residential wood burning in a community can exceed federal air quality health standards for particulate matter. Particulate matter in woodstove smoke can be easily inhaled and reach the deepest part of our lungs; it is known to cause or contribute to respiratory disease, asthma attacks, heart problems, and premature death. Wood smoke also contains toxic organic compounds known to cause cancer.
- If the homeowner/seller has an uncertified woodstove device in any building on the residential property being sold, he or she must remove and destroy it before the close of sale.
- The seller must also give you, the buyer, the seller's disclosure form indicating whether there is a wood burning device on the property.
- It is the seller's responsibility to remove the uncertified wood burning device unless you and the seller agree that you, the buyer, will be responsible for removing the stove. If so, you must remove and destroy the uncertified wood burning device within 30 days after the closing date of sale.
- The buyer must also:
- Get a receipt indicating you have destroyed the stove.
- Submit the notification form to DEQ.
For more information on removal of woodstoves please visit the State of Oregon Website or contact them by phone at 503-229-5696
