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No administrative appeals to be considered during weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas 2023

This affects building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing code appeals.

Updated News article


Rebecca Esau announces retirement

After six and a half years as director of the Bureau of Development Services, and nearly 30 years of service to the City of Portland, Esau leaves in December with a record of accomplishment.

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Resources are available to help set up child care businesses in Portland

Navigating all of the requirements to establish a child care business can be daunting. The City of Portland provides information to understand the building permit and land use review processes involved.

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No administrative appeals to be considered on Wednesday, July 5

There will not be a weekly Administrative Appeals Board meeting held during the week of July 3, 2023.

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No administrative appeals considered during week after Thanksgiving, Christmas 2022

There will not be a weekly Administrative Appeals Board meeting held during the weeks of November 28 and December 26, 2022.

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Oregon’s building officials honor two Portland building safety leaders

Terry Whitehill and Jeff Gauba are recognized by the Oregon Building Officials Association for their leadership and innovation in promoting safe structures.

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City of Portland, ReBuilding Center partner to provide donated building materials to low-income property owners

“From Excess to Access” program offers construction materials to help property owners meet building codes.

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Empowered Neighborhood Program offers resources, creativity in addressing building code violations

Staff from across the Bureau of Development Services, working with other city bureaus and students from Portland Community College, come to the aid of a black disabled homeowner in addressing multiple concerns, saving money and reducing fines.

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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.

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Updates to online permitting services and plans for re-entry to the Development Services Center

Learn more about improvements to online permitting services and plans to welcome customers back to the City of Portland’s Development Services Center.

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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.

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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


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


Title 4 Original Art Murals, Recommended Amendments

The Bureau of Development Services, in partnership with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, will propose a set of code amendments to the Portland City Council on August 7, 2019 at 10 a.m. The amendments are intended to allow murals in more locations around the City. Read the recommended code.

Updated News article