News
Rebecca Esau offers insights, advice as retirement nears
The outgoing director of the Bureau of Development Services offers her perspectives on the achievements of, and opportunities for, Portland’s permitting and zoning review processes.
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Improvements made to online permitting portal, Development Hub PDX
Upgrades are now available: It’s easier than ever to provide necessary information as well as get construction and trade (electrical, mechanical and plumbing) permits on their way to approval.
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Interested in guiding the development of cannabis policies? Apply to serve on the Cannabis Policy Oversight Team.
The City of Portland seeks eight people to serve a one-year term on the Cannabis Policy Oversight Team. Persons of color are encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted through Monday, Jan. 15.
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Design Commission offers advice to advance innovative affordable housing project on small lot
The Design Commission weighed in and offered early guidance on Nov. 16 on a proposed design for a 32-unit affordable housing development at 3606 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
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Updated NSFR Sample Site Plan just released
An updated New Single Family Residential (NSFR) Sample Site Plan is now available to aid in the permitting process.
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Iconic elk statue will return to downtown Portland
The City's beloved Thompson Elk has been fully restored and safely stored since it was damaged during protests in 2020.
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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.
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Design Commission endorses housing at Con-Way site
Additional units are proposed for a vibrant Slabtown neighborhood.
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Have a passion for architecture, development and public spaces? Consider joining the Portland Design Commission.
The City of Portland is seeking applications for two upcoming openings, each for a four-year term, on the Design Commission. Persons of color are encouraged to apply.
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David Kuhnhausen appointed interim director of Development Services
The longtime permitting manager will lead the bureau through the next phases of updates to City’s development review processes.
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City Council unanimously approves plan to protect Portland’s residents, properties, wildlife, and floodplains
The Floodplain Resilience Plan updates development requirements in Portland’s floodplain to minimize flood risk and protect habitat for threatened and endangered fish.
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Three local design and historic review experts share insights at prominent national conference
The sold-out National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) annual conference, held in Portland Oct. 11 to 15, featured sessions highlighting innovative building designs and successes in cultural preservation.
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City of Portland’s DevHub Permitting Portal is Getting Refreshed
Updated graphics, expandable menus and other features will be rolled out later this fall.
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Audit Update: Momentous move by Council to consolidate permitting as City reforms continue
This is a two-year follow-up to our 2021 report, Building Permit Audit: Long-standing inability to meet customers’ needs won’t improve without better management, sustained governance.
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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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Have questions about residential infill options? Schedule an early assistance appointment
A new early assistance option offered by the Bureau of Development Services is available to describe residential infill options for single-dwelling and multi-dwelling zones.
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New measures provide faster inspections to address erosion and sediment issues on construction sites
Changes are coming to reduce erosion control inspection wait times, and deliver timely enforcement, to ensure soils and sediment remain on-site.
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Are you a public works permit customer interested in advising the permitting process in Portland? Apply to serve on the Development Review Advisory Committee
The City of Portland is seeking interested persons to serve in one position for a three-year term on the Development Review Advisory Committee. Persons of color are encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted through Sunday, Oct. 15.
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Additional sinks now allowed in detached structures
The Bureau of Development Services rescinded its Additional Sink Covenant Code Guide and its policy of requiring covenants for additional sinks in detached structures as part of planning and zoning review.
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