No. Please review the permit application information online and apply through the OLWS electronic permitting process. OLWS uses Accela for web-based electronic permitting. 

OLWS requires a permit and inspection for sewer repair within the public right-of-way or in a public easement. OLWS does not require a permit or inspection for repair within private property. For residential uses, OLWS defers authority over sanitary sewer lines within private property to the Clackamas County Building / Plumbing Department. OLWS does have limited authority for commercial and industrial users’ sanitary sewer system facilities on private property in order to protect the wastewater treatment plant’s integrity. Repair of commercial or industrial building sewer requires an OLWSD permit. Contact permits@olws.org or (503) 654-7765.

No. An initial site inspection of erosion control measures in place is required prior to the start of excavation.

Please contact Oregon DEQ in Portland at 503-229-5696, or toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-4011, ext. 5696; or email deqinfo@deq.state.or.us. OLWS does not have these records.  To know if a property is connected to sewer, please reference the following online map, click here. 

Yes. Please submit them to the OLWS Development Services Specialist at (503) 654-7765 or permits@olws.org.

Please submit an electronic application form through Accela and upload needed materials to apply for a permit: https://bit.ly/olws-accela.

Review the OLWS website for submittal requirements and email permits@olws.org or call (503)654-7765 with any additional questions.

Review times vary per permit complexity and workload. Typical review times are two weeks.

Drinking water, sanitary sewer, or erosion control permits are valid for 1 year from the receipt of an approved permit.

There are two different types of pipes:

1. Storm drain: this is a large diameter pipe (typically 12 inches to 36 inches) and drains public roadways from the “grates” in the street.  These pipes often drain roadways and then the pipes travel through private property connecting two streets.
    
2. Rain drain: this is the vertical pipe that connects your gutters to the public storm drain.

The public storm sewer system is located on or within public and private property. Generally, Clackamas County owns the storm sewer and surfacewater facilities in the public right-of-way (ROW). OLWSD assists in maintaining some infrastructure in the public rights-of-way through various agreements but does not generally own or is responsible for the drainage function of that system.

Clackamas County determines ownership responsibility.  According to the county, property owners generally own and maintain storm sewer and surface water facilities on private property regardless of the authority, ownership or responsibility of the water entering those privately-owned facilities.

OLWSD does not have any rules, standards or regulations about storm drain infrastructure.  It is owned by the County in the public right-of-way and privately owned outside of that.  The County has installation requirements under its plumbing permit process which is part of the building department.

The rain drains are owned by individual property owners.  The County has change and/or installation requirements under its plumbing permit process which is part of the building department.  Generally, there is no OLWSD permit or requirement for changing your rain drain, but there may be from the County.

Use the Clackamas County online GIS mapping system to locate your property and identify your service providers: https://bit.ly/olws-GIS. If there are questions, contact the OLWS Development Services Specialist at (503) 654-7765 or permits@olws.org.

No, not within OLWS boundaries.

Clackamas County does not issue a building permit located within Oak Lodge without an Oak Lodge “sign off”. “Sign off” from Oak Lodge includes erosion control and/or sanitary sewer permits. Please submit an application form and needed materials to apply for a permit.

When you apply for a building permit within OLWS from Clackamas County, prior to the County issuing the permit you will need to provide them with sign off documentation from Oak Lodge. This cooperative step in issuing building permits was instituted because it is important for OLWS to be aware of construction taking place within its jurisdiction. By requiring this documentation, Clackamas County can be assured that the builder knows about OLWS requirements, and that OLWS staff have checked the site for problems such as an addition being built over a building sewer that does not meet code or encroachment on a OLWS easement. The first step in obtaining this documentation is generally application for a Permit from OLWS.

You do not need to take anything from OLWS to Clackamas County. OLWS can send “sign off” documents directly to Clackamas County.

Submittal materials depend on project scope: https://oakwater.specialdistrict.org/permits-what-to-submit. If you have additional questions please contact the Development Review Specialist at (503) 654-7765 or permits@olws.org.

OLWS requires a permit and inspection to sewer repair within the public right-of-way or in a public easement. OLWS does not require a permit or inspection for repair within private property. OLWS defers authority over sanitary sewer lines within private property to the Clackamas County Building / Plumbing Department. OLWS does have limited authority for commercial and industrial users’ sanitary sewer system facilities on private property in order to protect the water reclamation facility’s integrity. Clackamas County also inspects roof rain drain (gutter down spouts).

You will have to recreate the plot plan and upload a current copy to Accela with your application materials: http://bit.ly/olws-accela

OLWS fees apply regardless of County fee payment(s).

Also called a “connection fee”. A System Development Charge is the fee for treating and conveying one equivalent dwelling units’ (single family home) sanitary sewer load. Many commercial and industrial users are assessed at multiple equivalent dwelling “units”. This fee assures that new connections pay a fair share of infrastructure costs.

Inspection requests must be made 24-hours in advance and receive confirmation from an inspector. No inspections will be scheduled after 1:30 PM. Please schedule your insepection on Accela: bit.ly/olws-accela.