Services, Guides, and Information

The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the Design overlay zone as authorized under Portland City Code 33.710.050,

Apply online for membership on a Development Services board or commission.

​​​​​​​Design advice requests (DAR) are a form of early assistance and a way to get feedback on early design concepts before a land use review. An applicant may request design advice from the Design Commission. You may also request design advice from the Historic Landmarks Commission.

Learn more about Portland's Historic Review process. Find the land use review application and the early assistance application. Read more about the six types of historic reviews and the land use type procedure used for each. Get the Certificate of Compliance and all other historic review forms.

A Land Division Review is required to divide an existing property to create additional lots, parcels or tracts. A land division may also be required to legalize a lot that was created outside of the legal process (such as through deed). Read more about standard land division reviews.

In 2021, BDS advisory group meetings are being held online. When Development Services meetings are held in person again, these are the parking validation instructions and directions to the parking garage.

You need a pre-application conference for all Type III and IV land use reviews before submitting an application. Learn more about pre-application conferences and find out if you need one for your development project.