Building Permits

The City of Sisters contracts out building services with the Deschutes County Building Department to administer the City's building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes programs, including plan check functions, codes administration, permit issuance, inspections, record keeping and public information.

For more information and assistance on the County's permitting requirements & process, please contact the Deschutes County Building Safety Division:

 

How to get a building permit in sisters:
  1. How to Obtain a Building Permit 
  2. Preparing your permit application:
    1. City of Sisters Building Permit Review Form 
    2. City of Sisters Certificate of Occupancy Acknowledgment Form 
    3. Any materials required by Deschutes County Building Safety Division. 
    4. For new residential construction, use this checklist: Residential Building Permit Submittal Requirements. 
    5. For a residential remodel, contact Deschutes County directly on their permitting requirements. 
    6. For commercial / industrial / multi-family construction, check in with a City Planner. Land use review may be required prior to building permit. 
  3. Building Permit Fees & System Development Charges (SDCs):
    1. City SDC fees Calculation Worksheet. The City calculates your System Development Charges or "SDC fees" based on the impact your development will have on City infrastructure (i.e., water, sewer, transportation, and parks). Use this reference sheet to calculate your SDC fee estimate, or contact a City Planner to request a calculation.
    2. The County will have their own building permit fees. Please reach out to a Deschutes County Permit Technician to request an estimated fee calculation for your project. See their contact information above. 
    3. All City and County fees will need to be paid before you can be issued a building permit.
  4. Timeline for review: As of July 2024, a residential building permit review process is approximately 8-10 weeks, and longer for multifamily or commercial development permits.
  5. Tree Removal: The City private tree code prioritizes the preservation of trees wherever possible, but trees may be eligible for removal if specific criteria are met. Any trees requested for removal shall be mapped on the site plan with DBH size. Please contact a City Planner if you have questions.
  6. Scheduling your final inspection with the City: When your construction project is complete with all site improvements (landscaping, dark skies compliant lighting, addressing, paving, etc.), please contact the City of Sisters directly to schedule a site inspection with at least 48 hours in advance of the visit. 
    1. Public Works Site Inspection: Jackson Dumanch -- jdumanch@ci.sisters.or.us; 541-323-5220
    2. Planning Site Inspection: Carol Jenkins -- cjenkins@ci.sisters.or.us; 541-323-5207 
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