On February 20, 2019, City Council passed a fee increase ordinance that was presented by representatives of the BDS Land Use Services Division, the first in nearly five years. The division processes permits and land use reviews required to demonstrate compliance with the Portland Zoning Code, Tree Code and Sign Code regulations.
Fee increases are roughly 5% overall, but some land use review fees will increase more substantially while others will remain the same. BDS also proposed a 5% increase to most site development fees on land use reviews and three Life Safety reviews on land use reviews will be removed. The need for the LUS fee increase stems from LUS division cost increases that have occurred over the past five years so that fees charged are closer to the costs of providing services, and the need to maintain adequate division financial reserves. The fee increase will take effect on April 1, 2019. Get more information and view the proposed changes to BDS fee schedules.