1. Development Permits

If you plan to develop or build in urban Washington County, you will need review and permits by Clean Water Services before you apply to the County or Cities for permits for:

Any activity that requires a building permit
Construction of structures, roadways, and utilities
Grading, excavating, mining, or drilling
Land division, including subdivisions, land partitions, and lot line adjustments

Before you apply for a land use permit, please visit District staff for: 1) Environmental Review; 2) Service Provider Letter (SPL); and, 3) Service Availability Statement.

After you have been issued land use permits, please return to the District for: 1) Site Development Permit; and, 2) Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Connection permits.

Environmental Review

Development must fit with the infrastructure of roads, utilities, etc. and also must protect the green infrastructure of streams, wetlands and water resources. District staff reviews development plans to ensure they will avoid water quality sensitive areas or protect them with vegetated corridors (buffers).

The requirements for protecting streams, wetlands and other water quality sensitive areas are based on the federal Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. The regulations are detailed in the Chapter 3 of the Design and Construction Standards. These rules apply throughout unincorporated urban Washington County and its Cities.

The Environmental Review includes Pre-screening and Site Certification, which may include a Natural Resources Assessment and Alternatives Analysis

Pre-Screening Process (optional)

This review determines whether a stream (intermittent or perennial), wetland or other sensitive areas exist on or within 200 feet of the site. To apply, submit a Pre-Screen Form (PDF, 295KB). There is no fee for this service. Staff will review the information you submit, maps and aerial photos. If there are sensitive areas, please complete the Site Certification process.

Site Certification Process

You must submit a Site Certification Form to certify whether there are water quality sensitive areas on or within 200 feet of the site. If there are none, you will receive the Service Provider Letter (SPL) and may proceed with land use or building permits.

If sensitive areas are on or within 200 feet of the site, a site assessment is required. Depending upon the site, you may be asked to submit a Natural Resources Assessment and Wetland Delineation Report. You also may need to do an Alternatives Analysis. Site assessment instructions are in the Design and Construction Standards. A simplified site assessment is allowed if the project will add less than 500 square feet of impervious surface, is on slopes less than 25%, and will not encroach into a vegetated corridor. Staff will evaluate the site information to determine what you must do to protect or restore the vegetated corridors.

Service Provider Letter (SPL)

Staff will issue the SPL, which includes any conditions you must meet to protect sensitive areas. Although the Cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro perform pre-screens, SPLs are issued only by the District. Fees for the SPL are based on the degree of encroachment on vegetated corridors.

Service Availability Statements

In addition to the SPL, you will need from the District: 1) Service Availability Statement (PDF, 79KB), and 2) Design Considerations for Surface Water Management (CWS) (PDF, 25KB). These describe the availability of, and requirements for, sanitary sewer service, drainage, and water quality facilities for your site. After you have received these free services, you may proceed with land use or building permit applications to the County or City. After receiving the land use or building permit, please return to Clean Water Services for a Site Development Permit.

Site Development Permit

The Site Development Permit authorizes the construction or modification of sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water quality/quantity facilities. To apply, you must submit complete, stamped engineering plans and sizing calculations for all utilities and facilities, landscaping/planting plans for facilities and vegetated corridors, and erosion control plans. Incomplete submittals will be returned without review. Plans will be reviewed within 15 business days if complete, and may require 10 more business days if resubmitted. Please refer to Initial Plan Submittal Requirements (PDF, 21.9MB).

After initial plans are approved, please submit the following documents and information:

Cost Estimates for all sanitary and storm sewers, facilities, erosion control, and landscaping/restoration
Performance Assurances (bonds, escrow, etc)
Construction Permit Agreement
Off-site easements
DEQ 1200-C Permit for sites one(1) acre or larger
Copies of any necessary US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or Department of State Lands (DSL) permits

Erosion Control Only Permit

If you wish to begin grading or excavation before the Site Development Permit is approved, you may apply for an Erosion Control Only Permit. Application is separate from the Site Development Permit and requires three sets of erosion control plans. Before applying for an Erosion Control Only Permit, you must have the SPL, Land Use Approval and any required Corps of Engineers or Department of State Lands permits. Preliminary review of site development plans must ensure that revisions will not affect grading, pipe alignments, water quality/quantity facilities or vegetated corridors.

DEQ 1200-C Erosion Control Permit (one acre and larger sites)

The DEQ 1200-C Erosion Control Permit is required for construction activities on sites one acre and larger to control stormwater runoff. The District and Cities act as permit agents for DEQ, but DEQ issues the actual permit. Applicants must submit the required 1200-C forms and a set of erosion control plans before the District may issue Site Development and/or Erosion Control Only Permits or Connection Permits.

1200-C Permit Requirements and Application Forms