City and State Codes, Administrative Rules, Code Guides and Program Guides

The Bureau of Development Services carries out City and State codes and administrative rules. Get code and program guides that explain how the codes and rules are applied.

State Building Codes and Administrative Rules

State building codes and related administrative rules and interpretations are listed below.

• Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS):
  • ORS 446 (Manufactured dwellings and structures; parks; tourist facilities; ownership records; dealers and dealerships)
  • ORS 447 (Plumbing; architectural barriers)
  • ORS 455 (Building Code)
  • ORS 460 (Elevators; amusement rides and devices)
  • ORS 479 (Protection of buildings from fire; electrical safety law)
  • ORS 480 (Explosives; flammable materials; pressure vessels)
• State Building Codes
• Oregon Administrative Rules 918
• Building Codes Division Statewide Code Interpretations
• Statewide Alternate Methods
• State Appeal Decisions
• Adopted Energy Codes and Standards

City Codes

The Bureau of Development Services administers the following City codes:

• Chapter 3.30 Bureau of Development Services
• Title 4 Original Art Murals
• Title 10 Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations
• Title 11 Trees
• Title 24 Building Regulations
• Title 25 Plumbing Regulations
• Title 26 Electrical Regulations
• Title 27 Heating and Ventilating Regulations
• Title 28 Floating Structures
• Title 29 Property Maintenance Regulations
• Title 31 Fire Regulations
• Title 32 Signs and Related Regulations
• Title 33 Zoning Code
• Chapter 16.60 Motor Vehicle Fuels
• Other City Titles

Bureau of Planning & Sustainability administers the following City codes related to permitting:

• Title 17.106 Deconstruction of Buildings Law

City Administrative Rules

Administrative rules clarify the intent of Portland City codes or create standards to comply with Portland City codes.

• Download PDF file Accessory Short Term Rental (ASTR) Enforcement Permanent Rule (531.91 Kb)
• Download PDF file Accessory Short Term Rental Permit Compliance Permanent Rule (214.53 Kb)
• Download PDF file Bird-Safe Windows List (1.73 Mb)
• Download PDF file Demolition Permanent Rule - 12/1/20 (405.65 Kb)

• Determination of Rough Proportionality for Major Public Trail Requirements

  • Download PDF file Determination of Rough Proportionality for Major Public Trail Requirements (765.94 Kb)
  • Download PDF file Zoning Code Information Guide: Rough Proportionality for Major Public Trails (244.15 Kb)
• Download PDF file Energy Efficient Building Requirements for Planned Development Bonuses (727 Kb)
• Erosion Control Manual
• Download PDF file Administrative Intake and Fees for Land Use Processes and Other Planning Services (199.16 Kb)
• Download PDF file Notification Process for Final Land Division Decisions (Plats) - Permanent Rule (184.62 Kb)
• Download PDF file Low Carbon Building Certification List (432.74 Kb)
• Download PDF file Neighborhood Contact Sign - Permanent Rule (872 Kb)
• Download PDF file Invasive Plant Management Program - Administrative Rule (468.41 Kb)

• Parade Event Marking

  • Download PDF file Code Chapter 14A.55 Parade Event Marking (14.34 Kb)
  • Download PDF file Rules about Reserving Parade Event Viewing Space (Ordinance 181684) (13.95 Kb)
  • Download PDF file Permanent Rule Title 14A.55 Parade Event Marking - Rules about Access to Public Property for a Parade Event (34.72 Kb)
• Download PDF file Permitting Original Art Mural Administrative Rules (158.6 Kb)

• Private Rights-of-Ways

  • Download PDF file Interim Rule for Private Rights-of-ways (Streets, Alleys, Shared Courts, Common Greens and Pedestrian Connections) (624.07 Kb)
  • Download PDF file Figures for Interim Rule for Private Rights-of-Way in Streets, Alleys, Shared Courts, Common Greens and Pedestrian Connections (Appendix A) (8.57 Mb)
  • Download PDF file Referenced Oregon Standard Drawings and Details for Private Rights-of-Way in Streets, Alleys, Shared Courts, Common Greens and Pedestrian Connections (Appendix B) (14.6 Mb)
  • Download PDF file Design Templates for Private Rights-of-Way - Streets, Alleys, Shared Courts, Common Greens and Pedestrian Connections (Appendix C) (21.6 Mb)
  • Download PDF file Authorizing City Code for Private Rights-of-Way - Streets, Alleys, Shared Courts, Common Greens and Pedestrian Connections (Appendix D) (141.68 Kb)
  • Download PDF file References for Private Rights-of-Way - Streets, Alleys, Shared Courts, Common Greens and Pedestrian Connections (Appendix E) (136.33 Kb)
• Download PDF file Permanent Rule - Recurring Environmental Violation Enforcement Process and Fines - 12/5/05 (50.91 Kb)
• Replanting Requirements for Tree Removal
• Download PDF file Temporary Rule - Sign Code Enforcement Chapter 32.66 – Violation Citation Process, Fines and Appeals - 3/12/01 (44.04 Kb)

• Special Inspection Program - Temporary Rules

  • Download PDF file Structural Special Inspection and Observation Program Checksheet (117.2 Kb)
  • Download PDF file Special Inspection Program Administrative Rules (1004.1 Kb)
• Download PDF file Title 29 Property Maintenance Regulations - 10/28/2020 (300.41 Kb)

Search all Development Services policies.

Code Guides

Code guides provide answers about the application of specific codes.

• City Title Code Guides
• Commercial Building Code Guides
• Commercial Mechanical Code Guides 
• Commercial Plumbing Code Guides
• Commercial Electrical Code Guides
• One and Two Family Dwelling Code Guides 
• Rescinded Code Guides

Business Practice Policies

Business Practice Policies are policies related to business operations of Bureau of Development Services and the Development Services Center at the discretion of the Bureau of Development Services Director.

• Download PDF file Business Practice Policies - Additional Plan Review Fees for Permit Revisions and Changes in Scope of Work (677.35 Kb)
• Download PDF file Business Practice Policies - Application of Fees and Codes for Building and Other Permits for Certain Fee or Code Changes (174.49 Kb)
• Download PDF file Business Practice Policies - Inclusion of Optional Means of Construction in Permit Applications (231.45 Kb)

Program Guides

Program guides provide information on various complex BDS programs and processes.

• Download PDF file Commercial Plumbing Plan Requirements Program Guide (58.49 Kb)
• Download PDF file Commercial Reroof Permit Program Guide (131.29 Kb)
• Download PDF file Draft Solar Program Guide: Solar Energy Systems for 1 and 2 Family Dwellings (353.92 Kb)
• Download PDF file Electrical Master Permit Program Guide (144.95 Kb)
• Download PDF file Electrical Plan Review Program Guide (64.54 Kb)
• Download PDF file Facility Permit Program (FPP) Guide (156.97 Kb)
• Download PDF file Field Issuance Remodel (FIR) Program Guide (319.13 Kb)
• Download PDF file Firestopping Program Guide (31.5 Kb)
• Download PDF file Medical Gas & Vacuum System Program Guide (95.91 Kb)
• Download PDF file Minor Mechanical Labels Program Guide (294.13 Kb)
• Download PDF file Personal Wireless Service Facility Permits Program Guide (433.5 Kb)
• Download PDF file Permit Extension, Abandonment, Expiration and Reactivation Program Guide (279.08 Kb)
• Download PDF file Rain Gardens for Existing Impervious Area Located in Eastside Combined Sewer Basins Program Guide (127.67 Kb)
• Download PDF file Residential Certificate of Occupancy and Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Program Guide (55.51 Kb)
• Download PDF file Temporary Trade Permits Program Guide (138.25 Kb)
• Download PDF file Use of Classrooms Located above the First Floor By Children in Grades K, 1 & 2 Program Guide (76.35 Kb)
• Rescinded Program Guides

Building Official's Determinations

• Residential

• Download PDF file 19-06: Accessory Kitchens in Single Family Dwellings ORSC 202 definition of Dwelling Unit (270.56 Kb)
• Download PDF file 19-04: Residential accessory structure demolition and slab salvage (154.95 Kb)
• Download PDF file 19-01: Supporting construction for fire rated horizontal separations (152.26 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Carports Under 200 sf attached to a dwelling (187.37 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Habitable vs. non-habitable space in accessory structures (207.67 Kb)

• Commercial

• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Calculated fire protection of wood columns, beams, and solid wood decking (158.49 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Permit Requirements for Suspended Wire Electric Security Systems (160.78 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Small Assembly Occupancies (258.22 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Protection of Smokeproof Enclosure Ventilation Systems (168.88 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Congregate Living Facility or Dwelling Unit? (175.61 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Fire Pump Room Access (182.62 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Minimum Dwelling Unit Size (239.98 Kb)
• Download PDF file Building Official Determination: Guards at Occupied Roofs (246.45 Kb)

PBOT Codes & Guides

• Review the Portland Bureau of Transportation codes and guides.

How to Request a Code Change

• To request a change to the City Codes that Bureau of Development Services administers and enforces, send us an email and choose “Code Change Recommendation” for the Subject.
• You can recommend a regulatory improvement change.

MOUs/IGAs

• Memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and inter-governmental agreements (IGAs) are governing agreements between Development Services or the City and other agencies that involve ongoing functions of BDS.
• MOUs
• IGAs