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Development Services (BDS) News Menu
Displaying 1 - 20 of 100

Changes to Demolition Code Could Affect Your Residential Projects

News Article
Updated
If you plan to do work involving residential demolitions, additions or alterations, you should be aware of an ordinance that the City Council passed on June 13, 2018, which simplifies some definitions, adds dust control requirements for major alterations using heavy equipment, and makes other techni

Give your views on improving erosion control during construction activity

News Article
Updated
The City of Portland is updating its erosion control requirements to better manage soils and sediments on construction sites and reduce development impacts on the environment. Your ideas and suggestions on an early draft are welcome.
This photo illustrates measures taken to control erosion on a development site, notably the presence of hay and plastic sheeting to prevent the loss of dirt and sediment at a site.

Now available! Development permits and land use reviews research tool

News Article
Published
Research building permits and new development projects online. Get information about commercial permits, facility permits, land use reviews and residential permits now. Metro reports are now available in Portland Maps. Search, filter and sort data and quickly create customized permits reports.
Woman looking at permit reports on desktop computer

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

News Article
Published
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.

City of Portland Design Review team’s efforts noted in DeMuro Award for Jim Fisher Volvo restoration

News Article
Published
Award citation lists City as partner in helping restore iconic West Burnside building
This photo illustrates construction work to install a new neon sign at the Jim Fisher Volvo dealership at Southwest 21st Avenue and West Burnside Street.

Deadline extended: Help guide development review in Portland; apply by Oct. 29

News Article
Updated
The City of Portland is seeking interested persons to serve in one of four positions, each for a three-year term, on the Development Review Advisory Committee. Persons of color are encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted through Friday, Oct. 29.
August 22, 2018: Project Engineer Haley Rothwell of Colas Construction discusses The Beatrice Morrow apartments on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., with Martin Segura III, LEED AP at Carleton Hart Architecture.

Have a passion for floating structures? Consider applying for the City of Portland’s River Community Advisory Committee

News Article
Published
The City of Portland is seeking interested persons to serve in one of three positions, each for a three-year term, on the River Community Advisory Committee. Persons of color are encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 10.
Floating structures next to boats.

Help review and advise on building code decisions; apply by Oct. 29

News Article
Published
The City of Portland seeks two people to each serve a three-year term on the Building Code Board of Appeals. Persons of color are encouraged to apply. Applications are due no later than Friday, Oct. 29.
Person with paperwork and hard hat on a desk.

A letter from Rebecca Esau, Director of the Bureau of Development Services, regarding customer feedback on the City’s building permit services

News Article
Published
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.
1900 SW 4th Ave building entrance.

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

News Article
Published
Learn more about improvements to online permitting services and plans to welcome customers back to the City of Portland’s Permit Center.
Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Ave.

No administrative appeals considered during week after Thanksgiving, Christmas 2021

News Article
Published
There will not be a Weekly Administrative Appeals meeting during the weeks of November 29 and December 27, 2021.

New 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code replaces 2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code on Oct. 1

News Article
Published
The Oregon Building Codes Division recently adopted the new 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC).
This is an image of a mechanical inspector inspecting an air conditioning unit on the roof of a commercial building.

City Council approves measures to assist businesses in recovery from the pandemic

News Article
Updated
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.
Restaurant owner Deepak Kaul demonstrates changes takeout precautions put in place as a result of COVID-19.

City of Portland denies Land Use Compatibility Statement for Zenith Energy

News Article
Published
The City of Portland, through the Bureau of Development Services, is denying a request from Zenith Energy to issue a Land Use Compatibility Statement necessary for the renewal of its air quality permit issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

New 2021 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) Takes Effect Oct. 1

News Article
Published
The Oregon Building Codes Division adopted the new 2021 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC), which took effect April 1. The six-month phase-in period wherein permit applicants have the option to submit for permits using either the current (2017) ORSC or the new (2021) ORSC is coming to an end.
Home under construction

Stay updated on enhancements to ProjectDox

News Article
Published
Building permit customers can stay informed on updates and new developments in the City's electronic plan review software.

City bureaus work to improve timeliness and efficiency in building permit process

News Article
Updated
Earlier this year, Commissioner Dan Ryan appointed a Permitting Improvement Task Force which met three times over two months and was charged with identifying solutions to improving the timeliness and efficiency of the building permit process.
This is a photograph of a new single-family home being built.

Remote Video Re-inspections protect health, keep residential projects moving during COVID-19

News Article
Published
This service of the Bureau of Development Services provides video re-inspections for corrections on permitted work, saving time and money for customers and the City.
This is a photo of an inspection, being conducted via video over a cellphone, of a newly installed furnace.

Major updates to the City’s housing-related zoning rules coming August 1

News Article
Published
Changes will increase housing supply and accessibility for low-, moderate- and middle-income Portlanders; addresses houselessness and lack of affordable apartments and homes for community members.
A gray sixplex building with cars parked in front near the sidewalk.

Follow these guidelines to submit a permit application under current zoning code before July 31, 2021

News Article
Updated
Changes to the City of Portland's zoning code will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2021. Learn more about how to submit a permit application if you wish to have the current zoning code apply to your project.

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