News and notices

A letter from Rebecca Esau, Director of the Bureau of Development Services, regarding customer feedback on the City’s building permit services

Recently a survey was sent to 1088 customers who applied for building permits from January through June 2021, asking about their experiences and seeking ideas for improvement; 282 customers responded. Here is BDS Director Esau’s letter to survey recipients.

September 23, 2021 3:00 pm News article

New Rules Adopted for Lot Confirmations

October 2, 2020 9:28 am News article

BDS Announces Search for Volunteers to Serve on the Adjustment Committee

The Bureau of Development Services has announced a search for people interested in filling two vacancies on the City of Portland Adjustment Committee.

Updated January 16, 2020 8:21 am News article

Building Official Determination: Accessory Kitchens in Single Family Dwellings

QUESTION: Can a single-family dwelling have more than one kitchen?

Updated January 9, 2020 2:49 pm Public notice

City Council is Seeking Input on a Draft Resolution for Future Projects on Title 11, Trees, regarding Trees in Development Situations

Earlier this year, Development Services proposed an amendment to Title 11, Trees, to extend the sunset date of certain regulations passed in 2016 that strengthened tree preservation requirements (especially preservation of large sized trees) in development situations on private property.

Updated January 6, 2020 2:10 pm Public notice

Zenith Energy to Receive Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for Oil Terminal Upgrade

Houston-based Zenith Energy is receiving a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) from the City of Portland that will allow the company to begin using its newly-built racking system for unloading tank cars on its existing tank farm in Portland’s Northwest Industrial District.

Updated July 18, 2019 1:36 pm Public notice

News for Property Line Adjustment Applicants

News for Property Line Adjustment Applicants Effective immediately, there are changes to the process for Property Line Adjustments (PLAs) for new applications or submitted applications that have not already received a checksheet.

Updated July 17, 2019 4:09 pm Public notice

Electronic Plan Review Available for All Process Managed Permits

Development Services rolled out PDX ePlans (electronic plan review) as an option for all Process Managed projects as of January 2019.

Updated July 11, 2019 4:43 pm Public notice

Holiday Closure: Independence Day 2019

Updated July 8, 2019 3:01 pm Public notice

Try Our New Online Permitting Tool

Our new online permitting tool is now available to customers! Development Hub will fully replace our old permitting system by August 1, 2019.

Updated July 1, 2019 8:16 am Public notice

Development Review Advisory Committee (DRAC) Happenings

Do you want to make an impact on development in Portland? Read about joining the Development Review Advisory Committee.

Updated June 20, 2019 1:44 pm Newsletter

Coming Soon: A More Efficient Plan Review Process

Over the next year, the City is phasing in a new more efficient plan review process for all types of building permits. This new process will establish dedicated windows of uninterrupted time for City staff to perform plan review.

Updated June 20, 2019 11:40 am Public notice

Encouraging Inclusive Design for All

Harper’s Playground: a non-profit organization dedicated to designing and building inclusive playgrounds in Portland and beyond.

Updated June 20, 2019 8:20 am Newsletter

Finding a Solution: Updates to Development Services' Path of Escalation

Feeling stuck? Need help getting answers about requirements for your project? As you may or may not know, there are many different regulations, requirements, policies or processes that can conflict depending on the type and complexity of a development project. Get help.

Updated June 7, 2019 2:55 pm Newsletter

Development Services Fee Update

The Bureau of Development Services collects fees to fund service provisions, including inspections, plan review, permit issuance, land use review, enforcement, and other bureau functions. This page reflects 2019 changes.

Updated June 6, 2019 5:30 pm Newsletter

Inspections Scheduling System Updated to Include Details on Erosion Control Inspection Requirements

Development Services is updating the interactive voice response (IVR) Inspection Request system message to include important details on Erosion Control Inspections (IVR Inspection #200), effective today.

Updated June 6, 2019 5:17 pm Public notice

Structural Advisory Board Meeting • June 12, 2019

The Structural Advisory Board will meet on June 12, 2019 at 2 p.m. to discuss the appeal for the proposed Atomic Orchard project located at 2510 NE Sandy Blvd.

Updated June 6, 2019 5:16 pm News article

Winter Holiday Closure Schedule

In order to better manage customer requests, BDS will have additional closures that coincide with official City holidays during the winter 2018/19 season.

Updated June 4, 2019 12:22 pm Public notice

New Field Issuance Remodel (FIR) Program Webpage

Are you a contractor who performs routine alterations and additions on one-or-two family dwellings or accessory structures or construction of new detached accessory structures? Are you a homeowner look for a contractor for your home remodeling project? The Field Issuance Remodel (FIR) might be right

Updated April 9, 2019 11:33 am Public notice

New Code Guide for Conducting Slope Hazard Evaluations Effective May 28, 2019

A new code guide has been developed to provide guidance to Geotechnical Engineers and Engineering Geologists that conduct required slope hazard evaluations.

Updated April 3, 2019 11:06 am News article