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F° Planning & Building Services Department
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DO I NEED A PERMIT?
(COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, PUBLIC, AND MULTI-FAMILY)
This guide is intended to answer frequently asked questions about building and planning requirements in
the City of Lake Oswego for development other than single-family or middle housing. If you have more
questions relating to your particular project, please contact the Planning and Building Services
Department at 503-635-0290.
ERECT A SIGN? Probably. Most signs need a Sign Permit through the Planning Department, although
certain small incidental signs do not. Please see the Sign Overview for a brief description of signage and
sign permits. Please note that A-frame/sandwich board signs are not allowed as permanent, temporary,
or incidental signage in non-residential zones.
PAINT MY BUILDING? Possibly, depending on when the building was constructed and what type of
Planning review it received at that time. In general, the following review is required:
(1) If a building went through a land use approval process (called Development Review or DR),
and color was a part of that review, new paint will require a DR Modification (DR Mod)
through Planning. If the new paint is similar in color and tone to the old paint, a DR Mod may
not be necessary.
(2) If a building went through DR and there was no discussion of color anywhere in the record, a
permit from Planning is not required.
(3) If a building did not go through DR, a permit from Planning is not required.
Please contact the Planning and Building Services Department for more information on a particular site.
RESTRIPE MY PARKING LOT? No permit is needed to restripe a parking lot. Please see LOC 50.06.002
for more information on parking requirements. The following constraints apply:
(1) Restriping can't result in a loss of parking spaces required by a previous DR permit;
(2) Restriped cannot exceed the maximum parking or be more than 50% compact spaces;
(3) If any existing landscaping is removed to provide more on-site parking spaces, a DR
modification may be required.
CHANGE THE USE IN A BUILDING? Possibly. Different businesses generate different loading demands;
the Development Code lists the required loading requirements for most commercial and industrial uses
[LOC 50.06.002]. A Change of Use permit is required for increased/changed loading requirements,
changes in access requirements, or construction of private access lanes or driveways. Please see the
Change of Use handout for more information. In the Downtown Redevelopment District [LOC
50.05.004.9] there are exceptions to minimum parking that apply in certain areas.
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503-635-0290 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO,OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
MAKE TENANT IMPROVEMENTS? Yes, tenant improvements (TIs) require permits from the Building
Department. In addition, if exterior changes to the building are proposed, a DR permit through Planning
may be required. For buildings that previously went through the DR process, exterior changes typically
require a DR Modification permit. For buildings that did not go through DR, a permit is required if:
(1) A building permit is required,
(2) More than 25% of any façade is altered,
(3) The property abuts a residentially-zoned property, or
(4) The modification is visible from residentially-zoned property.
ERECT A STORAGE SHED OR OTHER ACCESSORY STRUCTURE? Possibly. Accessory buildings that are
exempt from Building permits based on their size are also generally exempt from Planning review.
Accessory buildings that require Building permits also require a DR permit. See above discussion on
Tenant Improvements.
ADD OR REPLACE A HVAC UNIT? Yes, a Mechanical permit is required for adding or replacing an HVAC
or similar unit on the site. If the unit is located on the roof, please provide Planning with photos and a
roof plan showing the view of the roof and unit from the street level or parking lot. If the unit is
generally visible from the street or parking lot, appropriate screening—either built or with evergreen
landscaping—will be required even if it is a replacement unit. Screening is required for ground mounted
units, unless they are placed in a location that is not visible. Please see the Mechanical Permit handout
for more information.
REMOVE A TREE? Yes. All trees greater than six inches in diameter at breast height require a permit for
removal. For each tree removed under a Type II tree removal permit, a mitigation tree will be required
to be planted on the property. Please see the Tree Removal Guide for more information on the tree
removal process.
REMOVE OR CHANGE LANDSCAPING, OR REMOVE A TREE LESS THAN 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER?
Possibly. Non-residential properties must continue to provide a minimum 15-20% of the site as
landscaping. Additionally, if a property went through the DR process, is a Historic Landmark, or has
Sensitive Land Overlay or the Willamette River Greenway Overlay, landscaping changes may not be
exempt development. Please contact the Planning Department for more information on a particular site.
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Last updated: 01/2026