City building department · Oregon
Medford building department
Permits, inspections, and official contacts for City of Medford Building Safety Department.
Verified Checked against 9 official sources
Contacts & online services
- Phone
- (541) 774-2350
- Office
- 200 S. Ivy Street, Medford, OR 97501
Get directions (opens in a new tab) - Serves
- Medford · Jackson County
- Online services
- Applications · Permit search · Inspections
Check your address first. City of Medford Building Safety Department handles building permits for property inside Medford city limits. Property outside city limits is usually served by Jackson County or another municipality, even when the mailing address says Medford.
On this page
The City of Medford Building Safety Department reviews plans, issues permits, and inspects residential and commercial construction within Medford city limits. Jackson County Development Services handles property under county jurisdiction, so check whether a Medford mailing address is actually inside the city before you apply.
Office and hours
Building Safety is on the 2nd floor of the Lausmann Annex, 200 S. Ivy Street. It is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed weekends. Contact the office at 541-774-2350 or [email protected]. Property maintenance complaints under the Property Code of Medford (MMC 9.900) go to the Ordinance Compliance Program at 541-774-2356.
What needs a permit in Medford
Medford publishes a quick-reference list for common projects:
| No permit required | Permit required |
|---|---|
| Fences 7 ft or lower | Fencing around pools |
| Decks less than 30 in. above grade | Adding square footage |
| Private-property concrete, sidewalks, driveways (residential) | Converting a garage, attic, or basement to habitable space |
| Windows or doors replaced at the exact same size | New or enlarged window or door openings; new stairways |
| Toilets, lavatories, or sinks replaced in the exact same location | New or upgraded tub or shower; water heaters (electric and gas) |
| Swapping light fixtures or an electric stove or cooktop | Electrical upgrades, alterations, and extensions |
| Replacement parts for an existing HVAC system | New or change-out HVAC systems; wood, pellet, insert, or gas log appliances |
| Cabinets, countertops, flooring, retrofit insulation, gutters | Commercial re-roofs; in-ground pools; backflow devices |
The city lists sheds and outbuildings, patio covers, residential re-roofs, retaining walls 4 ft or less, above-ground pools and spas, awnings, demolition, and wall additions or removals as projects that may need a permit depending on the details. Call the office before starting any of these. Check zoning setbacks and use with Medford Planning (541-774-2380) before designing a project. The site’s shed permit guide has general background.
How to apply
Medford takes applications by email, not a self-service submittal portal. Email the completed PDF application to [email protected]. Once staff enter it, projects that need plans get an email invitation to upload them in ProjectDox, the city’s electronic plan review system. ProjectDox rules:
- Upload one file per sheet into the Drawings folder.
- Name each sheet by number and title (for example, “A1 SITE PLAN”) with no special characters.
- Put engineering, specifications, and reports in the Documents folder.
Applicants who can’t email or upload can call 541-774-2350 for help. Staff set plan check fees after reviewing the documents. Building permit fees are based on project valuation, and the full schedule is published by the city’s Finance Department.
Fillable applications cover residential and commercial building, demolition, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and solar. A Residential Energy Additional Measures form is required under the 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code.
Timelines and fast-track programs
- Residential permits: typically about 14 days from application to issuance.
- Commercial permits: an average of six to eight weeks once all information is in.
- Express Permit Program: Real-time review for qualifying residential projects and commercial tenant improvements, held Wednesdays only. Complete applications must arrive by 3 p.m. Wednesday; later submittals roll to the next Wednesday. Mark the application for Express processing, submit electronically, and have your designer or representative reachable by phone during review. Permits are often issued the same day or within three days.
- Master Permit Program: A five-day turnaround on previously approved plans.
Inspections
Work must be complete, pre-tested, uncovered, and accessible, with approved plans and the permit on site. Request inspections any of these ways:
- Phone: Call 541-774-2350 and leave a voicemail with the permit number, site address, contact information, and inspection type. Calls received by 7 a.m. can be scheduled the same day.
- Text: Send “SCHEDULE” to 833-910-0981. Smartphone users receive results automatically from the inspector.
- Online: Use the Development Services portal, which also handles fees and permit history.
- Remote Virtual Inspection: Available for qualifying residential inspection types.
Right-of-way inspections are handled by Public Works at 541-774-2100.
Planning a project?
These guides explain the national model-code rules most departments start from. City of Medford Building Safety Department decides what applies in Medford, so use them to prepare your questions.
More Oregon building departments
Not the right office? If your property is outside Medford city limits, one of these may handle it.
Sources
- medfordoregon.gov — Building Safety
- medfordoregon.gov — Apply for a Permit
- medfordoregon.gov — Require a Permit
- medfordoregon.gov — Request an Inspection
- medfordoregon.gov — Submit Application
- medfordoregon.gov — Express Permits
- medfordoregon.gov — Development Services
- medfordoregon.gov — Online Building Permit Services
- permits.medfordoregon.gov