Development Services Newsletter | October 2024
Development Services is Going Paperless!
To provide a more sustainable plan review process, Development Services will begin to transition to paperless permitting on October 1, 2024. Incoming applications, plans, and other documents can be uploaded through our online portal at www.corvallispermits.com. The system is free and allows citizens to apply for permits, schedule inspections, pay fees, as well as upload and/or download plans and other permit documents at their convenience. Electronic permitting streamlines the plan review process, reduces the need for paper plans, and allows convenient access to important information 24 hours a day. Help us go paperless by submitting your permit application online today!
Construction Site Practices Outreach Event – October 2nd
Want to learn more about construction site best practices and how to safely prepare your project site? Join us from 9 – 11 a.m. on October 2nd at the Riverfront Community Center in Albany to learn more! The Riverfront Community Center is located at 489 NW Water Avenue in Albany. This training is brought to you by the City of Albany and local partners, including the City of Corvallis. See the event flyer for more information.
Upcoming Changes to the City’s Floodplain – Biological Opinion
Many cities and counties throughout Oregon are in the process of making changes to our floodplain regulations to align with the requirements from FEMA pertaining to a Biological Opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. This will impact areas in and around the City’s floodplain areas. Corvallis is working with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and FEMA to evaluate options for modifying our codes. In the interim, FEMA is requiring communities choose and adopt interim measures, called Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures (PICMs). The City has not yet selected an option, as we are still meeting with other communities and DLCD. A brief summary of the options and PICM process is available here.
ARCHIE Soars High for Building Inspections!
Did you know the Development Services Division recently started using a drone to help complete inspections for permitted projects around town? The drone, affectionately nicknamed ARCHIE (Aerial Remote Control Home Inspection Expert), allows Development Services’ inspectors to perform building inspections safely and efficiently, especially on large or tall buildings. When an inspector would normally be required to climb up tall buildings, use ladders or scaffolding, or navigate uneven surfaces, staff can instead deploy ARCHIE to visually inspect the building or elements required under code. This results in more efficient use of City staff time, as well as reduced safety risks. Some examples of these types of inspections include rooftop mechanical work, solar installations, framing, roofing, and shear wall inspections.
ARCHIE will only be buzzing around to assist with construction inspections associated with active permits, and only after permission has been obtained from the property owner/applicant. If you’d like your project to be considered for inspection(s) by drone, you can consent during the online application process.
ARCHIE will not fly over adjacent properties, people, or the public right-of-way. The drone inspection program follows the Federal Aviation Administration, Part 107 requirements. For more information, go to Drone Inspection Program | Corvallis Oregon.
Do I Need a Building Permit?
Oregon law requires you to obtain permits for a range of installations, alterations, and construction performed on your home. Permits ensure that the work meets minimum codes and standards, which protect you and your family from safety risks like fire hazards and structural failures. They also help eliminate costly repairs and save money in the long run.
Some of the most common home projects that require a permit are listed below.
- Build or demolish a detached accessory structure that exceeds 200 square feet.
- Add an attached patio cover over 200 square feet.
- Construct a fence over 7 feet in height.
- Build a deck more than 30 inches above grade.
- Finish an existing attic, garage, or basement to create living or conditioned space.
Additional information, including permit exemptions and requirements for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, can be found in our Do I Need a Permit – Guide. If you still aren’t sure whether your project requires a permit, or to get more information about the permitting process, go to Development Services Permits & Plan Review | Corvallis Oregon. You can also contact Development Services at 541-766-6929 or development.services@corvallisoregon.gov if you have additional questions or want to discuss your potential project in further detail.
Please note: Regardless of whether a building permit is required, the project must meet all adopted construction codes and Corvallis Land Development Code requirements.
Development Services’ Performance Metrics
Want to know more about permitted construction projects happening in the city? The Development Services’ Performance Metrics Dashboard offers real time data with information on recently issued permits, plan review timelines, and more! Here you can see how long it takes to complete the initial plan review process (on average), what kind of inspections our division is currently performing, as well as additional services performed by the Development Services Division.
Plans for reviewed, approved, construction projects are also available online at www.corvallispermits.com. Simply click on Search Cases under the Development Services tab to search by address or permit number. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 541-766-6929.
Transportation System Development Charges (SDCs)
The City of Corvallis is currently in the process of updating its Transportation System Development Charges (SDCs) (Water SDCs were updated in August). Updates are necessary to implement new project lists identified through recent master plan updates, increase transparency, and generally modernize our SDC approaches. SDCs are fees collected from new development in order to pay its fair share of existing and planned facilities that provide system capacity to serve growth. SDC updates are a standard practice following the adoption of Master Plans and their associated project lists. The Transportation System Plan was adopted in 2019 and the Water Distribution and Treatment Facility Master Plan in 2022. The updates include reviewing and updating the methodology consistent with State law, including the new master plan project list to inform the calculation of a new “maximum allowable” SDC fee. The maximum allowable SDC represents the maximum fee the City could legally charge under the new methodology and project list. Setting the actual fees charged to new development is a separate Council action.
The Council is currently reviewing staff’s recommended updates to the methodology for calculating Transportation SDCs and council action is currently planned for October. At the time Council acts on the methodology, staff will propose Council adopt SDC fees charged to new development at their current levels. While it is expected that SDCs will ultimately increase, the discussion of how much is anticipated in early 2025. Staff is recommending a holistic discussion about SDCs charged to new development so that decisions on individual SDC fees can be made in context of total SDC impacts.
Climate Friendly Parking Design
There have been several changes required by the State of Oregon over the past few years to promote Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities. Some of these changes have included the elimination of required minimum vehicle parking spaces, requiring EV conduit be installed for 40% of vehicle parking spaces being constructed, and new climate friendly parking lot design requirements.
New projects that are proposing to add a new surface parking area that exceeds ½ acre must provide one of the following:
- Installation of solar panels with a generation capacity of at least 0.5 kilowatt for each new provided parking space on the Development Site. Solar panels may be located anywhere on the Development Site.
- Payment in an amount of $1,500 for each new provided parking space on the Development Site. Payments received will then be transmitted by the City into a fund managed by the Oregon Department of Energy dedicated to equitable solar and wind energy development.
- Provide parking lot trees such that the total parking lot tree canopy covers at least 40% of new Surface Parking Area (excluding non-paved surfaces such as landscape or tree islands).
For more information on Oregon’s Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities Program, you can view the City’s Planning Division’s website at Oregon Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities Program | Corvallis Oregon or the Oregon Department of Conservation and Development website at www.oregon.gov/lcd/CL/Pages/CFEC.aspx.
New City Logo Arriving Soon!
The City of Corvallis is updating its 39-year-old logo later this year. You’ll start seeing the new logo on official forms, documents, and web pages. The logo also comes with a new color palette and fonts that we’ll use on various City documents. Keep an eye out – we’re excited for the opportunity to roll out a new citywide brand system!
Community Development Resources
Looking for more information on the development review and/or permitting process? The Community Development Publications page on the city website includes links to many documents, such as the Land Development Code, Comprehensive Plan, and Municipal Code and Ordinances. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
