Guide
PortlandMaps and the BDS Permit/Case Search can be used to find active and historical permits details. Follow the directions below to view the status of your building permit on PortlandMaps.
On this page
View Permit Status on PortlandMaps
- Navigate to PortlandMaps.com.
- Select Advanced from the toolbar.
- Select Permits.
- In the Basic tab, enter IVR number or Permit number.
- Searching by address is available but may return multiple permits.
- Note: Application Number includes the two-digit year, a dash, and the six-digit permit case/number (e.g. 21-168311).
- The IVR (Inspection Request System) number is the unique identifier assigned to the permit or case. Enter the six or seven-digit IVR number (e.g. 2798743).
- Click Search.
A pop-up window will display the Permit Detail and status.
For additional information on searching for active and historical building permits, trade permits, land use review information refer to the Permit Information General Search guide.
Bureau of Development Services (BDS) Permit Statuses
Below is a list of common Bureau of Development Services permit statuses and illustrate the stages of the permitting process. The status of each permit is displayed in the Status field in PortlandMaps.
| Status | Definition |
|---|---|
| Admin Hold | Usually applied when a permit is under review but a major issue is discovered that needs to pause the review process, such as a significant amount of missing information or a substantial redesign. May lead to Cancelled status if issue is not resolved (a resubmittal may be necessary, resulting in a new permit) or a may return to Under Review status if issue is resolved satisfactorily. |
| Application | Owner or owner's representative has submitted an application for permit. A permit has been set up, but review fees have not been paid. The application may or may not have met minimum submittal requirements. Permits remain in application status for up to180 days at which time they become Void. |
| Approved to Issue | All technical reviews have been completed, issuance fees have been billed, and permit is ready to be picked up by customer. Inactive permit applications remain in Approved to Issue status for 180 days, after which they are Abandoned. |
| Under Review | Review fees have been paid and minimum submittal requirements have been satisfied. Permit is being reviewed by necessary departments in relation to the project description. Inactive permit applications remain in Under Review status for 180 days, after which they are Abandoned. |
| Cancelled | The permit has been discontinued at the request of the owner or the owner’s representative. However, Cancelled status has also historically been used to indicate an Expired or Void permit. Therefore, a permit that is NOT cancelled at the request of the applicant may be considered in effect Abandoned, Expired, or Void depending on the prior status and time passed since the cancellation |
| Expired | Permit has reached Issued or later status and there has been no activity for 180 days. Expired permits may be reactivated within 180 days of expiration. |
| Fees Due | Usually applied when a permit is under inspection and a permit exceeds the paid number of inspections allowed and pauses inspections until fees are paid. Typically, permit returns to Under Inspection status after additional fees are paid. |
| Final | The permit has received approval of all final inspections |
| Issued | Permit has been paid for and inspections have not been requested. Inactive permits remain in Issued status for 180 days, after which they are Expired. |
| R2P2 | Residential Reactivation Permit Program. Applies to Residential permits only. Specialty program from Residential Inspections that seek to reopen and resolve older permits in Expired status. |
| Under Inspection | Permit has been paid for and at least one inspection has been requested. Inactive permits remain in Under Inspection status for 180 days, after which they are Expired. |
Permit Activity Details
The status report contains important information on the progress of your permit application. The Permit Activity Details display the latest activity date and activity details (technical reviews), status, and staff contact.
In the Activity table, you will find:
| Column | Definition |
|---|---|
| Activity | A list of all technical reviews and administrative process steps associated with your project. |
| Type | The part of the process the activity applies to. Example: 2nd Screen App Set-Up, P& Z - Property Check, and Life Safety Application Check are all part of the Application process. |
| Must Check | Focus on rows with Y displayed, this indicates that you should review the activity. |
| Activity Status |
|
| Last Activity | Date the process status was entered. For example, when a checksheet or changemark was sent to you, or when a review was approved or closed. |
| Completed | Date the review was approved or the process step was completed. |
| Staff Contact | Individual who has been assigned to each review process, including the phone number of the reviewer or group responsible for the review/process step. Names in CAPITAL letters refer to review groups, meaning an individual reviewer has not yet been assigned. |
Putting it all together
Example 1: In the image below, the Activity is Intake and the status does not display Intake, this means the review is still being screened by Permitting Services.
| Activity | Type | Must Check | Activity Status | Last Activity | Completed | Staff Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Screen App Set-Up | Application | Y | Approved | 9/1/2021 | 9/1/2021 | Jones, Terri 503-865-5555 |
| P&Z – Property Check | Application | Y | Pending Customer Response | 9/3/2021 | 9/3/2021 | Smith, Bob 503-865-1234 |
| Life Safety – Application Check | Application | Y | Received Customer Response | 9/2/2021 | 9/2/2021 | Toms, Chris 503-865-4321 |
| Intake - DSC | Issuance/ Intake | Y | Open | 9/1/2021 | . | . |
Example 2: In the image below, the Activity is Structural Review and the Must Check is Y which means you should have received a Checksheet. If you haven't, your next step would be to reach out and call the reviewer Bob Smith at 503-865-1234.
| Activity | Type | Must Check | Activity Status | Last Activity | Completed | Staff Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Review | Structural | Y | Checksheet | 9/1/2021 | . | Smith, Bob 503-865-1234 |
Example 3: In the image below, the Activity is Pre-Issuance Check and the Activity Status is Open. This means your permit is not complete. The permit is only complete when the status of all mandatory reviews and steps show Approved, Closed, or Not Req'd. The mandatory pre-issuance check will then be scheduled and completed. This is the final step in the review process. You will be notified when the permit is ready to be issued by Permitting Services staff.
| Activity | Type | Must Check | Activity Status | Last Activity | Completed | Staff Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Issuance | Issuance | Y | Open | 3/23/2021 | . | PREISSUANCECO,SD, ZP 504-823-2222 |