News

Commercial Permits and Inspections News Menu
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16

Give your views on improving erosion control during construction activity

The City of Portland is updating its erosion control requirements to better manage soils and sediments on construction sites and reduce development impacts on the environment. Your ideas and suggestions on an early draft are welcome.

Updated News article


Now available! Development permits and land use reviews research tool

Research building permits and new development projects online. Get information about commercial permits, facility permits, land use reviews and residential permits now. Metro reports are now available in Portland Maps. Search, filter and sort data and quickly create customized permits reports.

News article


New format of inspection reports provides helpful information for customers

New inspection reports from the Bureau of Development Services provide clearer and more streamlined information for customers to review.

Updated News article


New State Building Codes

The State of Oregon’s Building Codes Division (BCD) released new editions of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code and the Oregon Plumbing Code. Any permits issued in 2018 must meet the new code requirements, which took effect on January 1, 2018.

Updated Newsletter


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.

News article


No administrative appeals considered during week after Thanksgiving, Christmas 2021

There will not be a Weekly Administrative Appeals meeting during the weeks of November 29 and December 27, 2021.

News article


New 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code replaces 2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code on Oct. 1

The Oregon Building Codes Division recently adopted the new 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC).

News article


City Council approves measures to assist businesses in recovery from the pandemic

Businesses, entrepreneurs, and providers of affordable housing and services can take advantage of temporary suspensions of some zoning requirements to assist in improvements to their facilities and enable faster economic recovery.

Updated News article


Stay updated on enhancements to ProjectDox

Building permit customers can stay informed on updates and new developments in the City's electronic plan review software.

News article


City bureaus work to improve timeliness and efficiency in building permit process

Earlier this year, Commissioner Dan Ryan appointed a Permitting Improvement Task Force which met three times over two months and was charged with identifying solutions to improving the timeliness and efficiency of the building permit process.

Updated News article


Follow these guidelines to submit a permit application under current zoning code before July 31, 2021

Changes to the City of Portland's zoning code will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2021. Learn more about how to submit a permit application if you wish to have the current zoning code apply to your project.

Updated News article


Follow these guidelines to submit a permit application under the current fees before June 30, 2021

Beginning July 1, 2021, fees for building permit applications will increase. Follow these guidelines to submit a permit application under the current fees.

Updated News article


New features now available in Portland’s electronic plan review system

The City of Portland upgraded its ProjectDox platform for electronic review of development plans, providing easier ways for customers to upload documents and respond to comments.

Updated News article


Have questions about development permits and zoning? Schedule a free 15-minute virtual appointment with an expert

A new service offered by the Bureau of Development Services and other permitting bureaus provides free 15-minute virtual appointments with planners, reviewers and permit staff to answer basic questions about development projects.

News article


Bureau of Development Services honored with 2021 Hard Hat Safety Award

This annual prize, awarded by the Daily Journal of Commerce, recognizes best practices in promoting safety in construction activity.

Updated News article


Updated Policies on Permit Extensions, Abandonment and Expiration, and Reactivation Requests and New Online Requests

The program guide for policies on when permits may be extended, when they are abandoned or expire, and when they may be reactivated after expiration has been updated.

Updated Public notice