The Building Department is in place to protect the public and the value of their homes. Your local Columbia City Building Department issues residential and commercial plumbing, mechanical, structural and fill permits. The City has an intergovernmental agreement with the City of St. Helens for Building Department services including a Building Official, plan reviews and inspection services to ensure that building codes are met. The Building Department also performs investigations and enforces code requirements on structures that are a hazard to the public.
The Building Department receives funding through revenues from permits and fees and other sources.
The Building Department is staffed by an Administrative Assistant, Helen Johnson, who can be contacted by calling 503-397-4010 or mail to PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018. Our main contact at the City of St. Helens is Mike De Roia, Building Official, who can be reached by calling 503-397-6272 extension 128.
Contact the Building Department
To find out if you need a permit, please call 503-397-4010 or go to the State of Oregon’s Building Code Department website at the following link for additional information about when to obtain a permit. https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/lbdd/Pages/oregon-permits.aspx
The City uses the State of Oregon’s ePermitting online program. Contractors with valid CCB licenses can apply for structural, plumbing and mechanical permits at the ePermitting website: BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov. This would be for both residential and commercial jobs.
Homeowners applying for permits apply at the same website shown above, but select the “Homeowners” tab in pink at the top of the page.
Electrical permits are only handled by Columbia County. You can reach Columbia County Land Development Services by calling 503-397-1501 or visit their website.
Other Related Building Information, Forms & Applications:
- Building Department Fees – last updated 08/21/2020
- Building Height – last updated 11/09/2009
- Building Permit Procedure and Information Sheet – last update 08/12/2025
- City Fee Schedule (other fees, SDC’s, water & sewer connections, land use) – last updated 07/17/2025
- Design Criteria – Snow load, wind load etc.
- Mechanical Permit Application
- Permit Extension Request
- Plumbing Permit Application
- Residential Energy Additional Measure Selection (for new construction or additions) – last updated 04/09/2025
- Structural Permit Application
- Subcontractors List – last updated 10/12/2009