By Alex Paul
Linn County Communications
The Linn County Planning and Building Department usually takes fewer than 10 days to issue a building permit if the application was complete when submitted, director Steve Wills told county commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker at their February 10 board meeting.
Wills, who has headed the department for about 3½ years, said that Linn County’s quick turnaround time caught the attention of a national database company called “Shovels.” According to a graphic produced by Shovels, Linn County is the only county in Oregon that consistently issues permits in 10 or fewer days.
Wills said the permitting clock stops if an application is incomplete and restarts when the necessary information is added.
According to Shovels, some counties in Oregon and across the country, routinely take more than 70 days to issue a permit.
Wills said after the meeting that his goal has been to create an efficient department, which includes cross-training all staff members.
“This gives us an opportunity to better serve the public and that is why we are here,” Wills said.
All three commissioners indicated they were pleased with the news and the quality service provided to the public.
Nyquist, the board chair, said he believes Linn County residents appreciate streamlined and efficient government services.
“People realize that time is money and the longer it takes to process a permit application, costs go up,” Nyquist said.
Wills also reported there were 43 land use permits issued in January, compared to 49 in January 2025. There were 296 total building permits issued compared to 260 a year ago.
There were 25 permits for dwellings, two for single-family units; six for manufactured homes; 14 for additions or alterations and three for accessory buildings.
Of the 296 total permits, 38 required a plan review, compared to 32 a year ago.
There were 27 permits issued within contract cities, compared to 23 a year ago.
Nine code enforcement cases were opened and eight cases were closed in January.