Development Services Newsletter | July 2025
Rapid Review Program
Thinking of completing a small project around your home this summer? The Development Services’ Rapid Review program guarantees a plan review turnaround for qualified projects in just two business days – empowering developers, contractors, and homeowners to move from blueprint to build-out with minimal delay.
The Rapid Review program is intended for standalone permits and singular types of work not associated with larger projects. It’s the perfect solution for projects that meet our criteria and need the green light – fast.
Some projects that qualify for Rapid Review include:
- Decks, porches, and patio covers
- Solar panel installation
- Seismic retrofit or foundation underpinning
- Minor structural modifications (dry rot repair, one new window or door, etc.)
- Accessory structures with no internal plumbing; excludes garages and carports
- Fences and flagpoles
To see if your project qualifies, contact a Permit Technician at 541-766-6929. More information, including exclusions, can be found in our Rapid Review Policy.
Tall Weeds/Vegetation - Fire Season
The City of Corvallis fire season goes from May 15th through September 30th. During this time, property owners are required by Corvallis Municipal Code to keep weeds and grass on their property (including the adjacent rights-of-way) under 10” in height. Compliance staff will be responding to community complaints about overgrown weeds and grass throughout the fire season.
Additional information about the City’s weed abatement process is available on the City’s website at Code Compliance - Development Services | Corvallis Oregon or you may call the Development Services Division at 541-766-6929 and ask to speak to a Compliance staff member.
Fee Updates for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Below is an update of fee changes that may affect Development Services’ permits. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Development Services Permit & Inspection Fees: This year Development Services evaluated our fees and will not be proposing to raise any of our building permit or inspection fees. We will be implementing some minor refinements to a few of our plumbing fees to help simplify and clarify a few of the plumbing fees that have been confusing for applicants and staff. As part of this clarification, a new Public Sewer Lateral fee will be added to the Right-of-Way (ROW) fee schedule.
Corvallis School District Construction Excise Tax (CET): The CET will be increasing from $1.63 to $1.67 per square foot for residential construction, and from $0.82 to $.084 per square foot for non-residential construction. The fee is collected and passed through to the Corvallis School District by Development Services at the time of permit issuance. More information, including construction projects that are exempt from the tax, can be found on the Corvallis School District’s website at Business Services - Corvallis School District.
Land Use Application Fees: Increases will be made to Land Use Application fees, including Development Standards Adjustments (DSA) / Housing Land Use Adjustments (HLUA) (from $3,157 to $3,338), and Plan Compatibility Reviews (PCR) (from $2,526 to $3,338). The sign permit fee will remain at $200 per sign. More information on other Land Use Application fees can be found at https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cd/page/applications-and-fees.
South Corvallis Urban Renewal Grant – Apply Now!
The South Corvallis Urban Renewal Grant Fund is accepting applications through September 5, 2025. The fund is intended to provide funding for building maintenance, energy efficiency upgrades, and code compliance improvements for businesses and commercial property owners in South Corvallis. Some eligible projects may include:
- New construction
- Window and door repair, restoration, repainting, or replacement
- Awning repair, restoration, or installation
- Exterior lighting fixtures
- Exterior lighted and two-dimensional signage
- Site improvements and infrastructure needed to meet code compliance
- Insulation
- Electrical & Plumbing
Projects may also require a permit through the Development Services Division.
For more information, including applications and Workshops available to discuss potential projects in further detail, are available at Three Workshops Available for Economic Development Incentives | Corvallis Oregon.
2025 Contractors’ Summit
Development Services hosted a Contractors' Summit on May 23, 2025. The presentation included useful development information, including erosion/grading best practices, using online tools to help navigate the Land Development Code, an update on the City's stormwater requirements, as well as building code updates.
View the 2025 Contractors' Summit Presentation to see the presentation slides, including helpful links and staff contact information.
We welcome and appreciate your feedback. If you attended the summit, please let us know how we did by completing the Survey online.
Upcoming Changes to the City's Floodplain - Biological Opinion Update
Many cities and counties throughout Oregon are in the process of making changes to our floodplain regulations to align with the requirements from FEMA pertaining to a Biological Opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. This will impact areas in and around the City’s floodplain areas. FEMA is requiring communities to choose and adopt interim measures, called Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures (PICMs). The City has selected the option to require permit applicants to develop a Floodplain Habitat Assessment documenting that their proposed development in the Special Flood Hazard Area will achieve “no net loss.” A brief summary of the options and PICM process is available in the Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures Overview. We are in the process of reviewing and updating Corvallis Land Development Code to incorporate this requirement into the floodplain development process.
Mechanical Minor Labels
The Development Services Division participates in the plumbing and electrical Minor Label Program administered by the State Building Codes Division (BCD). Recently, mechanical minor labels were added to this program, and licensed contractors can now participate in the mechanical minor label program.
Minor labels are inexpensive permits for use by licensed contractors in the state of Oregon. Labels are purchased directly from the BCD in lots of 10 and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Minor labels can be used for certain minor repairs and installations, such as replacing a water heater or installing a new mini-split heat pump in a single-family dwelling. The City is required to randomly inspect 10% of the labels, as directed by the BCD. It is important for contractors participating in the minor label program to ensure local regulations for floodplain, mechanical screening, etc. are being met, as they are still required even for projects permitted through the BCD’s minor label program.
For more information on the types of work that can be completed under the minor label program, or to purchase minor labels, go to https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/minlab/Pages/minor-label-info.aspx.
Community Development Resources
Looking for more information on the development review and/or permitting process? The Community Development Publications page on the city website includes links to many documents, such as the Land Development Code, Comprehensive Plan, and Municipal Code and Ordinances. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
