Lane County is one of the more approachable permit environments in Oregon. You can draw your own site plan, submit a single set of plans online, and—for most accessory structures—move quickly.
The complication comes from the landscape itself. Lane County's rivers, creeks, and wetlands are extensive, and the county's Riparian and Wetland Setback Ordinance requires specific buffer distances from water features. If your project is anywhere near a stream or wetland, those buffers must appear on your site plan.
Do You Need a Site Plan for a Small Permit in Lane County?
Yes. If your project in unincorporated Lane County requires a building permit, a site plan is required.
The Building Division requires your plan to include:
- Property lines with accurate dimensions.
- Setbacks (the distance from the proposed structure to all property lines).
- Existing structures and the proposed construction clearly differentiated.
- Easements and drainage features.
- Floodplain boundaries (if the property is in or near a floodplain).
- Riparian and wetland setbacks (if near a stream or wetland).
- Septic and well locations (if applicable on rural parcels).
- An indicated scale (e.g., 1" = 10' or 1" = 20') and a North arrow.
- A title block with property address, owner name, and date.
One set of plans is typically required for unincorporated Lane County submissions.
Who Runs Into This in Lane County
- Eugene residents who apply for a permit through the Lane County Building Division, only to be redirected to the City of Eugene ePermits portal.
- homeowners near the McKenzie River who submit a site plan for a detached garage without showing the required riparian buffer zone, causing a review delay.
- DIY shed builders who build a 210-square-foot shed, believing the 200-square-foot exemption covers it, resulting in a code violation.
- Cabin owners in the Cascades who don't realize their structure within 50 feet of a stream requires a land use review before a building permit can be issued.
What Needs a Site Plan in Lane County
- Fence permit site plan — Fences over 6 feet require a permit. (Fences 6 feet or under are generally exempt from building permits).
- Shed permit site plan — Required for sheds over 200 sq ft. (Sheds 200 sq ft or less are exempt from building permits, but zoning setbacks still apply).
- Deck permit site plan — Required for decks over 30 inches above grade. (Decks 30 inches or less are exempt).
- Patio permit site plan — Required if near water features or in areas with impervious surface limits.
- Pool permit site plan — Required. Must show pool location, barriers, and setbacks.
- Addition permit site plan — Required. Must show expanded footprint and all setbacks.
- Retaining Walls — Walls over 4 feet require a permit. (Walls 4 feet or under are exempt).
Why This Trips People Up in Lane County
The Jurisdiction Split. If your address is in Eugene or Springfield, you do not apply to the county. Eugene uses its own ePermits portal with its own fee structure (typically requiring six plan sets for residential projects). Springfield uses the Springfield Building Permit Portal and requires two sets of plans. You must confirm your jurisdiction before applying.
The Riparian and Wetland Setback Ordinance. This is the most common environmental complication in Lane County. The ordinance establishes required buffer distances from regulated streams and wetlands. The specific setback distance depends on the stream category, its width, and the type of vegetation. If your property is near any water body (even a seasonal stream), your site plan must show the ordinary high water mark and the required buffer, and you may need land use approval before a building permit is issued.
The 200 Square Foot Shed Exemption. Oregon's statewide exemption applies here: sheds 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit. But they still must comply with zoning setbacks (typically 5 feet from side and rear property lines), and if the shed is in a floodplain, a permit is required regardless of size.
Hand-Drawn Plans Are Welcome. The county explicitly accepts hand-drawn site plans, which is genuinely rare. As long as the plan is clearly labeled, drawn to scale, and includes all required elements, you do not need CAD software.
Zoning and Setbacks in Lane County
Lane County setbacks are governed by the Lane County Code and vary by zone.
Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Zone Examples:
- R-1 UGB: Front 20 ft / Side 5 ft / Street Side 10 ft / Rear 15 ft (45% max lot coverage)
- R-2 UGB: Front 20 ft / Side 5 ft / Street Side 10 ft / Rear 15 ft (50% max lot coverage)
- R-4 UGB: Front 10 ft / Side 5 ft / Street Side 10 ft / Rear 15 ft (65% max lot coverage)
How the Tool Handles This — 5 Steps
SitePlans.AI loads Lane County parcel data so you can generate the scaled site plan required by the Building Division:
- Enter your address — Lot lines load from county GIS records.
- Place your project — Add your shed, deck, or addition to the lot.
- Annotate water features — Mark any streams or wetlands and their required buffer distances if applicable.
- Label the setbacks — Show exact distances from the proposed structure to all property lines.
- Export a clean PDF — Download a professional plan ready for the CSS portal upload.
Where This Tool Fits — and Where It Doesn't
| Situation | Best path |
|---|---|
| Shed, deck, or addition in unincorporated Lane County | SitePlans.ai for the required hand-drawn-quality site plan |
| Verifying setbacks for an exempt shed | SitePlans.ai to check setbacks before building |
| Property near a stream or wetland | SitePlans.ai for layout + consult county land use for riparian buffer distances |
| New home construction | Licensed OR Architect/Designer required |
| Eugene or Springfield property | Apply to the city's building portal, not the county |
What This Doesn't Replace
SitePlans.AI helps create preliminary, conceptual site plans for residential projects where Lane County allows homeowner-prepared drawings. It is not a licensed land survey or a formal wetland delineation. If your property has regulated water features, you must contact the Lane County Planning Division to determine the exact required riparian buffer before finalizing your site plan.
Comparison: Your Options for a Lane County Site Plan
| Method | Cost | Time | Stamp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand sketch | Free | 30–60 min | ✗ | County-accepted; must be clearly scaled and labeled |
| SitePlans.ai | Free first plan | Minutes | ✗ | Generates a professional, scaled PDF ready for CSS upload |
| CAD drafter | $300–$800+ | 1–2 weeks | Sometimes | Useful for complex or environmentally sensitive sites |
| Licensed OR Surveyor | $700–$2,000+ | 2–4 weeks | ✅ | Required for new homes or disputed boundaries |
| SitePlans.us (done-for-you) | Custom | 1–3 days | ✗ | Best if your CSS portal submittal was rejected |
Common Mistakes That Delay Lane County Permits
- Applying in the wrong jurisdiction — Using the county CSS portal when the property is inside Eugene or Springfield.
- Missing the riparian buffer — Submitting a plan for a property near a creek without showing the required setback buffer.
- Exceeding the 200 sq ft limit — Building a slightly-too-large shed and assuming the exemption still applies.
- Leaving out the north arrow — A common omission that results in a plan completeness rejection.
- Not noting the floodplain — Failing to mark FEMA flood zones when the property is in a mapped flood hazard area.
Support and Local Resources
- Lane County Building Division — lanecounty.org | Call (541) 682-3750.
- Lane County CSS Portal — Submit permits online via the Citizen Self Service portal.
- Lane County GIS Mapping — lanecounty.org GIS
- City of Eugene ePermits — For properties inside Eugene city limits.
- FEMA Flood Maps — msc.fema.gov
Nearby Counties
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Lane County accept hand-drawn site plans?
Yes. The Lane County Building Division explicitly accepts hand-drawn plans as long as they are clear, legible, and drawn to a standard scale. This is one of the most homeowner-friendly policies in the state.
2. Do I need a permit for a shed in Lane County?
Sheds 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit. However, all sheds must comply with zoning setbacks. If the shed is in a floodplain, a permit is required regardless of size.
3. What is the Riparian and Wetland Setback Ordinance?
It is a Lane County rule that establishes required buffer distances from regulated streams and wetlands. If your property is near a water feature, your site plan must show the buffer boundary and the project must remain outside it.
4. What are the deck and fence exemptions?
Fences 6 feet or less and decks 30 inches or less above grade are exempt from building permits. Retaining walls 4 feet or less are also exempt.
5. Can I use SitePlans.ai for a Lane County permit?
Yes. SitePlans.ai generates a scaled, clearly labeled PDF site plan with all required elements ready for upload to the Lane County CSS portal.
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Start Your Lane County Site Plan
Check your jurisdiction on the Lane County GIS first. Then enter your address below to pull your property lines, place your project, label your setbacks, and download the scaled PDF you need for the CSS portal.
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