Local building department guide · Updated 2026-07-30

Bend Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Use this guide to find the official City of Bend Building Safety Division, start a permit application, search permit records, schedule an inspection, and locate the correct zoning or plan review contact.

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The City of Bend Building Safety Division handles plan review, permits, and inspections inside Bend city limits. Deschutes County Community Development issues permits and performs inspections for rural county property outside the city limits of Bend and Redmond; a Bend postal address is not enough to determine which agency has authority.

Bend building permits and Online Permit Center

Bend’s Online Permit Center is the city’s customer interface for permit and license applications, plan review, payments, project status, property lookups, code-enforcement submissions, and inspection requests. The city says most construction projects, including new construction, additions, remodels, and structural, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical modifications, require a permit.

The Building Safety Division coordinates review with Planning and Private Development Engineering. Review the city’s residential or commercial submittal guides and local Bend Municipal Code Title 9 requirements before submitting plans.

Inspections, code compliance, and final approval

After a permit is issued, request required inspections through the Online Permit Center. Bend requires the applicant or a listed project contact to request inspections, and the city says inspection status checks are handled through the portal. Permit inquiries are supported at 541-388-5580, extension 2, and the Permit Center is at City Hall.

Final approval follows the required building and specialty inspections. Deschutes County’s separate program states that its certificate of occupancy is not issued until supplemental permits have passed final inspection; county rules should not be assumed to be Bend city rules, so use the authority listed on the permit.

Official contact information

Bend Building Safety lists 710 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon 97703, with 541-388-5580, extension 2, and building@bendoregon.gov. For unincorporated Deschutes County property, use the county’s Building Safety Division rather than the City of Bend.

Permit process

How to Apply for a Bend Building Permit

01

Confirm the project scope

Identify the work, property address, project valuation, and whether plans are required.

02

Prepare your documents

Gather plans, owner and contractor details, site information, and any zoning approvals.

03

Submit and monitor

Submit through the department’s stated process, pay fees, and watch for review comments.

Field work & closeout

Building Inspections & Code Compliance in Bend

Most permitted work must remain accessible for inspection at defined stages. Before scheduling, check your permit record for the required inspection sequence and make sure the site is safe and ready. Final inspections can be especially important for code compliance and a certificate of occupancy.

Helpful preparation

Keep the permit card or approval number available, confirm the property address, and ask the official office about lead times or reinspection fees.

Planning & review

Zoning and Plan Review Requirements

A building permit is not always the only approval your project needs. Zoning guidelines may affect use, setbacks, height, parking, signage, or lot coverage. Residential and commercial building permits can also follow different plan review tracks, so confirm the correct path before investing in a full plan set.

For a project in Bend, start with the official department below and ask which zoning, planning, conservation, or fire review approvals apply to your address.

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Official Contact Information

DepartmentCity of Bend Building Safety Division
Phone(541) 388-5580
Address710 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97703
Official websitehttps://bendoregon.gov/departments/community-development/building-safety-division/
Last verified2026-07-30