Services, Guides, and Information

Read about the mission, goals, values and equity commitment of the Bureau of Development Services. Get information about visiting BDS, our operating plan and the Development Services organizational chart. Review Director Rebecca Esau's calendar.

This page lists phone numbers for development managers and supervisors at the Bureau of Development Services and other City permitting bureaus.

Get the BDS department contacts list. General phone numbers for Development Services including code enforcement, general inquiries, inspections, permitting and more. Get email addresses and contact information for Development Services. Need the BDS organizational chart, start here.

Help us improve. We always look for ways to improve key processes that result in faster, better service.

When is a residential permit needed? When don't you need a permit for a 1 or 2-family home? Learn about residential building permits, electrical permits, mechanical permits, plumbing permits and zoning permits and work that requires a permit for a 1 or 2-family home. Also known as Brochure 2.

(PROGRAM SUSPENDED) You may have leftover and reusable materials from your construction project. These materials may benefit property owners in our community.

Report a problem to Development Services or to one of the other City bureaus during the development process. Get help with conflict resolution and a path to elevate your concern with the City of Portland. If you need to elevate a problem, start here.

Sign up for email alerts and newsletters from the Bureau of Development Services. Join our email list today. The Plans Examiner is a monthly digest of news, events and helpful resources. Sign up now!

Get help with the building permit application form with these instructions. Complete the required permit application fields and learn what each field means. Examples are provided.

This step-by-step guide explains how to get a permit in the City of Portland. Learn how to research a property, find out what you can do on a site, what you need to get a permit, when you can get a permit and how to book inspections online. Learn more about permits and how permitting works.

If you want to buy, install or use a mobile vending cart or food cart, you need to know which Building and Zoning Code standards apply. Get information about permits and resources for food carts, food trucks, mobile food units and vending carts in the City of Portland.

The Multnomah County Health Department's mission is to work in partnership with the communities they serve, to assure, promote and protect the health of the people of Multnomah County.

DEQ's mission is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon's air, land and water.

Helping people and communities achieve optimum physical, mental and social well-being.

Permit review process information. Learn more about which groups review a project.

Many homes and businesses sustain damage in storms and other natural disasters. Here is information to help you find resources to fix damage to your property.

Share your feedback with Development Services.

Apply for solar permits online using DevHub. Learn about solar permitting, application types, submittal requirements and fees to install solar panels and solar water heating systems in residential and commercial buildings.

How to find a licensed contractor in the City of Portland. Get information about how to search for a contractor's license. Find out if a contractor has outstanding issues with a license.

Reduce the risk of wildfire. Learn about fire-resistant construction like roof coverings, safer siding for walls, heat-resistant windows, decks and fire safety, fire-rated outside doors and more. Read tips for wildfire-resistant landscape planning and emergency planning. (Also known as Brochure 11)

Information on installing a wood stove, fireplace wood stove insert or chimney in the City of Portland. Learn more about when you need permits or inspections for fireplaces. Get legal requirements and safety tips for fireplaces, wood stoves fireplace inserts and more. Also known as Brochure 4.