Permit Refunds Online

Service
Apply for a permit refund online. Request a refund for a permit purchased from the City of Portland. If you bought a building permit and no longer need it, apply for a refund. Get all permit refund instructions online. Find out how much you might get from a permit refund.
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If you purchased a permit in error or no longer need a permit, you may apply for a refund using the permit refund request form.

Email your permit refund request form 

To apply for a refund for commercial and residential permits complete the fillable permit refund request form. Your refund request will be processed faster if it's completed and saved as a PDF and not printed, scanned and emailed. Email the completed form to Development Services Inspections (bdsinspections@portlandoregon.gov).

Mail your permit refund request form 

To apply for a refund for Commercial and Residential permits, print and complete the refund request form. Then mail the completed form to Development Services using the address on the Permit Refund Request form.

Overview of Title 24.10.102 Building Permit and Plan Check/Process Fee

  • Requests for refunds must be made within six months of payment or permit issuance, whichever is later.
  • Refunds may only be issued to the party who paid the fees, according to the payor information on record at Development Services.
  • Permit refunds for online permits are paid by check.
  • The refund request form is used only for online permits and not for Land Use Service applications (such as Land Use Reviews, Early Assistance Appointments, Lot Confirmations, etc.). For Land Use Services applications refunds, please contact the assigned planner for your case file or call the Development Services General Inquiries phone number.

How much will be refunded?

As a general rule, if permit or plan review fees are paid by customers due to an error on the part of the City of Portland, these fees will be fully refunded at 100%. However, the following applies to all permits purchased in error by customers, where the City was not at fault in accepting payment.

Refunds up to 80% may be issued

If the City services covered by the customer fees (reviews or inspections) HAVE NOT yet begun or have not been performed at the time a Refund Request is received by the City, refunds up to 80% may be issued.

Refunds will not be issued

If the City services covered by the customer fees (reviews or inspections) HAVE begun or have been performed at the time a Refund Request is received by the City, refunds will not be issued. 

Get help with an online permit application

If you have questions about applying for a permit online, give us a call at the General Inquiries phone number. 

Contact

General Inquiries

Development Services
phone number503-823-7300Our front desk team will be available to answer Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please leave a message if you call outside of those hours.
Oregon Relay Service711Oregon Relay Service

Mailing address

Bureau of Development Services Attn: Permit Refund Request
1900 SW Fourth Avenue Suite 5000
Portland, OR 97201