Building Division

Most people rarely think about building codes, and that is often a sign they are working as intended.

When entering a home, business, school, or public building, people generally expect the structure to perform as designed, weather typical Oregon conditions, provide safe ways in and out, and accommodate a variety of users. Those expectations are supported by Oregon's uniform statewide building code, established in 1973 and administered locally through plan review, permitting, and inspections.

The McMinnville Building Division administers these standards and assists property owners, contractors, and design professionals throughout the construction process. Questions regarding permit requirements, construction standards, development proposals, or the permitting process are encouraged before making application for a building permit.

Electrical permits and inspections within the City of McMinnville are administered by the Yamhill County Building Department. Questions regarding electrical permit requirements should be directed to Yamhill County Planning & Development at 503-434-7516.
 

A 2.9% inflationary adjustment to Building Division fees has been proposed and is scheduled for consideration by the City Council on July 14, 2026. If approved, the updated fees would become effective August 1, 2026. The proposed fee schedule can be viewed here.

Appendix A - 2025 vs 2026 Fee Comparison
Appendix B - 2026 Fee Methodology