Do I need a permit for a full kitchen remodel in
Lake Oswego, Oregon?

Lake Oswego full kitchen remodel permits — the key details

Lake Oswego requires a permit for any kitchen remodel that involves structural changes, plumbing relocation, electrical work beyond a simple outlet swap, or gas-line modifications. The City adopts the 2020 International Building Code (IBC) with Oregon amendments (OAR 918-002), which means kitchen-specific rules are strict. Per IRC E3702, your kitchen must have at least two separate small-appliance branch circuits (15 amp minimum, 20 amp preferred), each with its own breaker and serving only countertop outlets, the microwave, or other small appliances. Those outlets must be GFCI-protected and spaced no more than 48 inches apart along the countertop (measured from the end of the countertop on one side to the outlet center, then across to the next outlet). If you relocate a sink, the drain must have its own vent — you cannot tie a new kitchen drain to a wet vent shared with a bathroom, per IRC P2722. If you're adding a range hood with exterior ducting, you must show the duct path and exterior termination cap on the electrical or mechanical plan; wall penetrations need backing and sealing. Load-bearing walls — any wall that sits above another wall below it or supports a beam — require a structural engineer's letter or beam-sizing calculation if removed; the city will not approve a load-bearing wall removal on a DIY hand-drawing alone.