STAMP REQUIREMENTS · OR
Do you need an architect's stamp in Oregon?
Oregon does not require an architect for a single-family home or its accessory structures; ORS 671.030 lets non-architects prepare the technical submissions.
What the law says
ORS 671.030(2)(b) lets a person who is not an architect prepare technical submissions for erecting, enlarging or altering a single-family residential dwelling, its accessory structures (a garage, barn or shed), or any building of 4,000 sq ft or less and no more than 20 ft high inside.
Where the exemption stops
- Single-family dwellings and their accessory structures.
- According to the American Institute of Building Design, the Oregon architecture board treats duplexes as multifamily, so they may fall outside the single-family exemption; confirm with the board.
When an engineer is still required
Seismic design in western Oregon and engineered foundations can still require a licensed engineer’s seal.
What this means if you're using a drafting service
A drafting service can prepare the permit set for an Oregon house, ADU or addition. A duplex conversion needs a closer look before you order drawings.
ArchWorkPro drafts permit sets for $1 per square foot of drawn area with a $1,200 minimum, or $195 per sheet for new construction under 1,200 sq ft. We don't seal drawings. When your project needs an engineer or architect, you hire them directly and we draft to their direction. See what a permit set includes or permit drawings for owner-builders.
Questions
Do I need an architect to build a house in Oregon?
Oregon does not require an architect for a single-family home or its accessory structures; ORS 671.030 lets non-architects prepare the technical submissions.
Do I need an engineer's stamp in Oregon?
Seismic design in western Oregon and engineered foundations can still require a licensed engineer’s seal.
Can a drafting service prepare my permit plans in Oregon?
A drafting service can prepare the permit set for an Oregon house, ADU or addition. A duplex conversion needs a closer look before you order drawings.
Who has the final word on stamps for my project?
Your local building department. State law sets the floor, and the building official can ask for a licensed professional's seal on any portion that falls outside the code's prescriptive rules. Ask before you order drawings.
Sources
Read from the statute and regulation text on . This is general information, not legal advice. Your building department decides what your specific project needs, and laws change; confirm before you rely on it.
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Not sure what your project needs?
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