FAQs

Yes. Contact the Tillamook County Department of Community Development. When seeking a permit application through the mail, be sure to state your name, phone number, mailing address, job location, and type of permit application you need.

You should receive your application form within three to five working days. Permit applications can also be faxed or emailed to you if requested.

The Fee schedule and valuation tables are available to help you determine permit fees. The Building Official will determine the value of work. Most building permits are based on the square footage of the project and the type of building. Please call the respective Departments for their individual fees.

Your permit will be issued to you when all of the required information listed on the application is received and reviewed.

If your project requires a plan review, the permit will be issued and plans and permit mailed to you after your plans are approved. Time frames can change depending upon the complexity of the project and the level of information submitted with your application. Please do not expect projects with plan reviews to be approved over the counter. Our office also does not offer an expedited review process.

You may be required to submit some or all of the following:

For information, contact our Department.

Permits are required for any new construction, as well as alterations and additions to existing building, including structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, manufactured housing, boiler, and elevator work.

However, there are some exceptions to the structural requirements. If you aren't sure you need a permit, call the Tillamook County Department of Community Development at (503) 842-3408.

You must submit structural plans or drawings for any new building construction, or for addition or alteration to an existing building. You also must submit plans for commercial plumbing projects. A site plan map is required for Zoning permits for any new construction, addition or alteration, including if no structural alterations are to be completed.

Plans aren't required for nonstructural repairs and work for which a permit isn't required. However, a change in use or occupancy may require plans, even though there are no structural alterations.

Check with the Department of Community Development to determine whether a change in use or occupancy permit is required.

An engineer or architect is not required for any occupancy building that has a ground area of 4,000 square feet or less, and is 20 feet high or less; or

any single family dwelling; or
any farm agricultural building, or
any accessory building to a single family dwelling or farm agricultural building.

You must have engineered plans for alterations or repairs to the structural portion of existing buildings with a ground area over 4,000 square feet or over 20 feet in height, or when the occupancy classification requires a fire and life safety review, regardless of the building's size.

Work in Geologic Hazard areas may require a report by an engineer and/or Geologist. The Planning department can help you determine if you property is in a Geological Hazard area.

For other work, the requirement for engineered plans may be waived when the nature of the work is such that code provisions can be determined from drawings.

You can obtain permit applications online on the respective Departments section or by calling, writing or visiting the Tillamook County Department of Community Development in the TLC Bank Building located at 1510-B Third Street, Tillamook, OR 97141 or calling (503) 842-3408.

Oregon law requires you to obtain permits - even if you build on your own property - to ensure that minimum building standards are met for your own safety and for the safety of future property owners and occupants.

No.

Showers are now on a timer and do not cost to use.

Just be caring of others who are waiting in line to use the showers. 

Check-In time is 3:30 PM. 

Check-Out time is 1:30 PM

Cabin Check-Out time is 12:00 PM

Yes!  We love well-behaved dogs! 

PLEASE NOTE:

• Dogs must be kept on a 6-foot leash and be under physical control at all times.
  • Unleashed dogs are not allowed in Parks facilities.
• Dogs may not be left unattended at any time.
  • Unattended dogs may be removed by Parks staff and relocated to shelter accommodations.

You may camp at a TCPD campground for 14 days in any 28 day period.  This limit pertains to all six county campgrounds and is in effect system-wide.  You must leave the TCPD system completely once you have reached your camping limit.  After that time, you may make another reservation.  

This limit pertains to brown tent sites, blue tent sites, hiker-biker campsites, group campsites, and RV campsites.

The minimum number of nights you may stay in a cabin is 2 nights, the maximum number of nights you can stay in a cabin is 7 nights.

Please help us protect the Oregon Coast and the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by purchasing your firewood close to your destination location or at the campground you are visiting.  For more information, visit https://www.dontmovefirewood.org.

NO!  FIREWORKS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TILLAMOOK COUNTY PARKS DAY USE OR CAMPGROUND FACILITIES.

Your Annual Day Use Access Pass allows for day use parking for one (1) vehicle at any Tillamook County Parks or Pacific City Parking Management facility.   A full list of facilities is located here on our website.

The permit is valid for four (4) years from the date of issuance, unless cancelled or revoked during that time.

You MUST carry your CWP on your person whenever you carry a concealed weapon. Failure to do so could result in a charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, a Class A Misdemeanor.

The purpose of the background check is to verify that all required paperwork has been completed. A criminal record check, including the National crime information center (NCIC), a driving record check with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, a check with the Oregon Department of Corrections, and a mental health check will be completed.  ​

Oregon Statutes Allow the Sheriff to Deny a Permit if the Sheriff has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant has been or is reasonably likely to be a danger to self or others, or to the community at large, as a result of the applicant’s mental or psychological state, as demonstrated by past pattern of behavior or participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence (ORS 166.293(2)). ​

If you believe that you are eligible and may qualify for an exception, you may petition the courts. Then, bring the appropriate court documentation, dates, and explanation of the circumstances with you at the time of your appointment.​

Your Tillamook County Parks Department Annual Day Use Access Pass is valid from January 1 to December 31 of the current calendar year.

You will have to pay $10.00 to park your vehicle at most Tillamook County Parks Department or Pacific City Parking Management facilities during day use hours. 

Day use hours are from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM at boat launches and day use areas not associated with a campground. 

Day use hours are from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM at Barview Jetty, Kilchis River, Trask River, Webb, Whalen Island, and Woods County Campgrounds. 

Depending on the facility, you will have the option to pay with cash or credit card.  Signage and instructions are located at each facility.

The following day-use parking areas accept credit card payments only:

Cape Kiwanda Recreation Area

Pacific City Turnaround

Barview Jetty County Campground

Bayocean Peninsula

No. You have to have the ticket decided in the court in which you were cited to appear.

Any fine imposed becomes due immediately, but you can enter into a payment plan with the court. There is a finance charge for the fine payment plan. Be aware, the court does not send monthly billing to people on payment plans; it is the responsibility of the person to make payments. Failure to comply with payment plans can result in fines being sent to a collection agency, and, in some cases, suspension of driving privileges.

No. We don't have those options. 

Septic tank pumpers advertise in the phone directory Yellow Pages under Septic Tanks & Systems - Cleaning. The companies in this section of the Yellow Pages should all be licensed septic tank pumpers. Verification of a current septic tank pumping license can be obtained by calling the Tillamook County Community Development Department, On-Site Sanitation Division, phone number (503) 842-3409. The Tillamook County Community Development Department, On-Site Sanitation Division also maintains a current list of septic tank pumpers operating in Tillamook County. You can obtain this list by either visiting our office in the Tillamook County Courthouse, 201 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook, OR, contact us by phone at (503) 842-3409 or simply click pumper list for the list of septic tank pumpers providing services in Tillamook County.

Tillamook County maintains a contract with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) which enables personnel employed by the Tillamook County Community Development Department, On-Site Sanitation Division to administer and regulate the State mandated requirements for the installation of new and repair septic systems. Part of this administration and regulation is associated with the proper siting and installation of a septic system as it applies to the soil and site conditions within the parcel boundaries and directly surrounding the parcel boundaries of a proposed or existing development site.

Establishing the proper septic system for installation within the bounds of a parcel requires that test pits must be dug in the area of the proposed absorption field installation site. Oregon does not perform percolation tests for the installation of septic systems as is common in other states. Direct observation of the soil profile and close attention to features in the soil indicating where a water table perches along with a detailed mapping of the parcel are all utilized to establish the type of septic system that must be installed. The review and description of a soil profile is accomplished by personnel from the Tillamook County Community Development Department, On-Site Sanitation Division physically entering the test pits and describing the soils exposed on the side walls of the test pits. The test pits are usually dug by a backhoe and have minimum dimensions of two (2) feet wide by three (3) feet long by five (5) feet deep.

The septic tank is designed to detain and store solid and semi-solid matter as well as various buoyant materials. Over time, these materials will accumulate and build up in the septic tank. If the materials are allowed to accumulate for an excessively long period of time, they will eventually reduce the volume of the effluent zone in the septic tank. At this point sludge and scum can be discharged directly to the pretreatment unit or the absorption field. The discharge of these materials directly to a pretreatment unit or to the absorption field is the single leading cause of septic system failures in Tillamook County. Therefore, regular pumping of the septic tank which will remove these materials is required. The septic tank should be pumped at intervals of approximately four (4) years by a licensed septic tank pumper. Regular septic tank pumping is the cheapest form of insurance you can purchase that will guarantee the long term satisfactory operation of your septic system.

A sand filter is an alternative type of septic system used to pretreat effluent discharged from a septic tank. The sand filter discharges the pretreated effluent to either an absorption field or directly below the sand filter unit itself. A sand filter that discharges effluent directly below the sand filter unit is called a bottomless sand filter. This type of sand filter is only used where rapidly draining soils such as sands or gravels are present. In either sand filter type, a very high quality (clean) effluent is discharged for final treatment in the soil. The sand filter represents a tertiary treatment system where primary treatment of the effluent occurs in the septic tank, secondary treatment of the effluent occurs in the sand filter, and tertiary treatment of the effluent occurs in the soil. The sand filter is used to insure that surface water and subsurface water resources are not adversely impacted by effluent discharges from a residence or a commercial structure. Parcels with soils that evidence high water tables, parcels that have rapidly draining soils overlying shallow water tables, parcels that are in close proximity to surface water bodies or parcels with limited development area are all potential candidates for the use of a sand filter system<.

A sand filter, in simple terms, is nothing more than a biological treatment unit that utilizes natural processes to treat and cleanse the effluent. Effluent that passes through a sand filter is broken down and consumed by aerobic bacteria that populate the individual sand grains of the medium sand in the sand filter.  Additionally, the relatively large surface area of the individual sand grains in the medium sand provides an area of high ionic potential and an area which maintains a constant exchange site for gases and oxygen which facilitates the treatment and destruction of the constituent viral, biological and chemical compounds contained in effluent. In other words, a sand filter utilizes beneficial bacteria, oxygen, and chemical reactions to treat and purify the harmful components of the effluent.

The absorption field is also called a drainfield, leachfield or subsurface disposal field. The absorption field consists of a series of trenches containing an approved drainfield media into which effluent is discharged from the septic tank. The approved drainfield media consists of either clean drainrock with the rock ranging in size from 3/4 inches to 2 1/2 inches, gravel-less PVC chambers or Styrofoam bundles. Trenches utilizing drainrock or Styrofoam bundles discharge effluent through a perforated pipe into the drainrock or the Styrofoam bundles and then into the soil. Trenches utilizing gravel-less PVC chambers discharge effluent directly through the chamber to the soil.

The purpose of the absorption field is to utilize the unsaturated portion of the soil to provide aerobic (with oxygen) treatment of the effluent through the chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soil. Viruses, parasitic worms, pathogenic microbial organisms and various chemicals and chemical compounds are effectively treated and removed by passage of the effluent through the unsaturated soil surrounding the absorption field trenches. Research has shown that the passage of effluent through as little as twelve inches of unsaturated soil removes all of the harmful constituents contained in the effluent. The effluent has been effectively cleansed leaving only water. The soil absorption field provides secondary and final treatment of the effluent discharged directly from a septic tank or tertiary and final treatment of effluent discharged from a pretreatment unit such as a sand filter.

Sand filter systems are expensive. The high price associated with a sand filter system is due to the materials and system components required to construct the system and the amount of time it takes to build the system. A typical standard system takes approximately two (2) to three (3) days to construct while the alternative sand filter system can take seven (7) to fourteen (14) days to construct. The time it takes to construct a sand filter system increases the costs associated with equipment time necessary to build the system and equipment operator expenses.

There are many types of septic tank additives on the market. Many claim to provide thorough cleaning of the septic tank which will result in the septic tank not requiring periodic pumping. Other products attest to their ability to enhance digestion of the septic tank contents by introducing bacteria or enzymes to the septic tank effluent. A great many of these products claim to be the only product available which will prevent a complete failure of the septic system from occurring. All these claims are simply unsubstantiated .

The septic tank is designed to operate satisfactorily with all the discharge components from the plumbing system of a commercial structure or a single family residence. The septic tank is designed to settle and remove materials from the effluent waste stream that could adversely effect a pretreatment unit or an absorption field. The septic tank is not designed to provide a high level of digestion and treatment of the effluent contained in the tank. In fact, the anaerobic environment of a septic tank is not conducive to the complete digestion and treatment of the effluent in the septic tank. The addition of chemical additives, bacterial additives or enzymes will not stimulate the chemical and biological properties inherent in the septic tank to digest and treat the effluent more efficiently. A recent study by the EPA clearly showed that septic tank additives are not effective in producing effluent discharges from septic tanks that were radically different than septic tanks into which no additives were introduced. Simply stated, do not waste your money on septic tank additives. Save the money you may spend on septic tank additives and use it to have the septic tank pumped every four (4) years by a licensed septic tank pumper.

Opening bids are received and posted by the sheriff within 48 hours prior to the sale.  The most a creditor may bid is the full amount of the money award and any recoverable costs of the sale.  You can calculate this figure by adding the amount owed including interest, plus the amount of interest accruing per day on the award.  These figures may be found on the Writ of Execution.  Recoverable costs are sheriff’s fees and attorney fees.

The Writ of Execution and Judgment can be found at: http://oregonsheriffssales.org/

A bidder must have cash or cashier's checks in hand made out to Tillamook County Sheriff's Office at the time of the sale.  Funds will be checked prior to the start of the sale.  Buyers should bring multiple cashier's checks and combine them to reach the sum of the sale.  Any amount paid that is over the sale amount will be refunded within 30 days.​

After the redemption period has passed you would need to send in the original Certificate of Sale along with a request for the Deed and a payment of $50.00.

If your property is at least twice the size of the minimum lot size for the zone, you may be able to divide your property. Important factors to keep in mind include access, existing development, utilities, on-site sanitation requirements, and required lot dimensions. Properties in some older subdivisions may already be divided into separate smaller lots.

Not every large property can or should be divided. It is possible to divide your property legally and end up with parcels that are not buildable or marketable. Consideration of all applicable aspects can prevent this from happening.

If you are interested in dividing your property, please call 503-842-3408 and ask to speak with a Planner.

Tillamook County currently does not have zoning maps available online. Please call 503-842-3408 and ask for a planner to obtain this information. Please have the map and taxlot number of the property ready. If you don't have this information it will take longer for us to help you.

Once you know the zone, you can look up the rules for that zone in Article 3 of the Land Use Ordinance.

We cannot tell you if a property is buildable or not. Many factors, including parcel size, topography, zoning, access and utilities will affect the type, placement and size of any structures on the property. Tillamook County simply defines a parcel as buildable if one is able to obtain a valid building permit.

For County Roads call the Road Department for county road conditions at 503-842-3419.

For State Highway road conditions: from within Oregon 1-800-977-6368; from outside Oregon 1-503-588-2941

A citizen-initiated request for the paving of a public (local access) gravel road is often handled through a Local Improvement District (LID) or Community Paving Agreement (CPA).  At this time, the Road Department does not have any available funding to contribute to paving public (local access) gravel roads.

Road vacation procedures for County right-of-ways are governed by State law.  Please contact the Road Department engineering staff for further information.

Please review the Road Approach Ordinance #44 to determine how it may apply to your building permit.  After reading the Ordinance, further questions can be directed to the Public Works permit staff.  Ordinance #44 can be found on the Public Works Documents page.