Building Permits in Portland

Portland requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, and repair work affecting structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Permits are issued by Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) — the bureau reorganized in 2024–2025 from the former Bureau of Development Services (BDS). PP&D administers building permits, land use review, field inspections, code enforcement, and public works permits.

Portland enforces Oregon's statewide specialty codes rather than locally adopted codes. The 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) governs one- and two-family homes; the 2025 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) applies to commercial and multi-family buildings. Both are adopted by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD).

When You Need a Permit

You generally need a Portland building permit for:

• New construction, additions, and accessory structures — including ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), which Portland actively encourages under Oregon state law
• Structural alterations, load-bearing wall changes, and foundation work
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC and gas) work
• Reroofing and changes to window or door openings in exterior walls
• Swimming pools, retaining walls above applicable height thresholds, and most fences above 6 feet
• Demolition of any habitable structure
• Site development and infrastructure connection work

Minor cosmetic work — interior painting, floor coverings, and cabinetry changes that don't involve plumbing or electrical — is typically exempt. When in doubt, contact PP&D or book a free 15-minute pre-application appointment before starting work.

Development Hub PDX (DevHub)

Development Hub PDX, commonly called DevHub, is Portland's unified online permitting portal at devhub.portlandoregon.gov. It is available 24/7 and is PP&D's preferred submission method.

Through DevHub you can:

• Submit new residential and commercial permit applications
• Upload plans for electronic plan review (preferred over paper)
• Respond to checksheet correction comments and resubmit
• Pay permit fees
• Schedule and track inspections using your permit's IVR number
• View permit status and inspection results

In-person services are available at the Development Services Center, 1900 SW 4th Ave., Portland on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Appointments are recommended; walk-in service is limited. Virtual appointments are also available daily.

Permit Costs

Portland permit fees are established in the PP&D Building and Other Permits Fee Schedule, updated annually (current edition effective July 1, 2025). Fees generally include:

• Building permit fee — scaled to project valuation
• Plan review fee — a percentage of the building permit fee
• Trade permit fees — separate fees for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits
• System Development Charges (SDCs) — assessed on new construction or added dwelling units for transportation, parks, water, sewer, and stormwater (note: SDCs for newly created housing units issued August 15, 2025–September 30, 2028, may qualify for an exemption)
• Site development and public works fees — for work affecting right-of-way or utilities

Always consult the current PP&D fee schedule linked in the sources above. Do not rely on third-party fee calculators.

Typical Timeline

PP&D publishes a weekly Permit Timelines dashboard showing average review durations by permit type. Actual times fluctuate with workload, project complexity, and completeness of submittal.

Permits expire 180 days after the Under Review date if no action is taken. Addressing all checksheet comments fully in each resubmittal minimizes correction cycles and total review time.

The Process

1. Research: Use PortlandMaps (portlandmaps.com) to confirm zoning, overlay districts, past permits, and applicable codes for your parcel
2. Pre-application: Book a free 15-minute appointment with PP&D (503-823-7300) for complex projects
3. Prepare plans: Draw required site, floor, elevation, and structural plans; obtain engineer or architect stamps where required by code
4. Apply via DevHub: Create a DevHub account, submit your application, upload plans, and pay intake fees
5. Plan review: PP&D reviewers (building, structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning, fire, civil) examine plans for code compliance; a Checksheet is issued for any items requiring correction
6. Corrections: Revise plans, respond to each checksheet item, and resubmit in DevHub; repeat until all disciplines approve
7. Permit issuance: Staff verify approvals, confirm fees, and contact you; pay remaining fees and receive your permit and approved plans
8. Inspections: Schedule required inspections at each construction phase via DevHub or the IVR phone line
9. Final: Pass final inspection and receive Certificate of Occupancy where applicable

Inspections

Portland requires inspections at multiple phases. For residential new construction and additions, typical inspection stages include:

• Tree preservation (if required by Portland's tree code — inspection code 507)
• Erosion control
• Footings
• Foundation
• Underground plumbing and electrical
• Rough trades: electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, mechanical rough-in (all rough trade inspections must be approved before the framing inspection)
• Framing
• Insulation
• Final building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections

Schedule inspections through DevHub or the automated IVR line at (503) 823-7000 using the IVR number on your permit. General inspection support: (503) 823-7388, Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m.–3:45 p.m. Remote Video Re-Inspection (RVR) is available for qualifying residential re-inspections.

Common Reasons for Denial or Corrections

• Plans don't comply with the applicable Oregon Specialty Code (ORSC or OSSC) or Portland local amendments
• Missing structural calculations, energy compliance documentation, or licensed design-professional stamps
• Zoning conflicts (setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, or use restrictions under Portland Title 33)
• Environmental overlay or floodplain review not completed (Portland has significant environmental overlay zones)
• Portland tree code requirements not addressed — Portland's urban forestry regulations protect trees above certain size thresholds
• Historic district or design overlay review not completed (Portland has multiple historic and design review districts)
• Missing utility clearances or public works permits
• Incomplete submittal or missing documents in DevHub

Official Sources

Always verify current requirements with Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) at portland.gov/ppd before submitting plans or starting construction. See the sources in the frontmatter for direct links to the PP&D homepage, the permit process guide, the fee schedule, the residential inspections guide, and the Oregon BCD adopted codes page.

Disclaimer: This guide summarizes publicly available information from official City of Portland and State of Oregon sources and is provided for general orientation only. It does not constitute legal or engineering advice. Building code and permitting requirements change — always confirm current rules with Portland Permitting & Development before submitting plans or starting construction.