To find out if you have these designations, go to Portland Maps and enter your street address in the top right field to locate your property. Scroll down to the “Permits and Zoning” section and then select the “Zoning and Districts” button. There are three key designations to look for under “Zoning & Districts”:
- Overlay: If it lists “d – Design,” your property has a design overlay.
- Plan District: If it lists “CC-Central City,” your property is in the Central City Plan District.
- If the Resource Type is noted as “Historic Landmark” or if the District Classification is noted as either “Contributing” or “Non-contributing,” then the regulations listed below under “Sites that are a Historic Resource” apply to your property.
Security Cameras
Outside of Design Overlay Zone ‘D’ and not a Historic Resource
Security Cameras (exterior or interior) are allowed but may require an electrical permit.
Design Overlay Zone ‘d’
- Battery- or solar-operated exterior security cameras are allowed without Design Review and do not require a permit.
- Electric exterior Security Cameras are allowed without Design Review until January 1, 2029, but may require a permit.
In all cases, these require an electrical permit.
- Interior Security Cameras are allowed without Design Review but, depending on the type, may require an electrical permit.
Historic Resource Sites
- Battery- or solar-operated exterior security cameras are allowed, without a permit, if they:
- Are no more than 18 inches in any dimension and are attached to exterior finish material or mounted through mortar joints when on a masonry wall, or
- Will not alter the exterior features of a resource having such features specifically listed in the Historic Landmark documentation or National Register nomination as attributes that contribute to the resource's historic significance.
- All other battery- or solar-operated exterior security cameras require Historic Resource Review.
- Electric exterior security cameras require an electrical permit and are allowed if they are no more than 18 inches in any dimension and are attached to exterior finish material or mounted through mortar joints when on a masonry wall. All other electric exterior security cameras require Historic Resource Review.
- Interior security cameras are allowed without Historic Resource review, but depending on the type, they may require an electrical permit.
Alarm Systems
Outside of Design Overlay Zone ‘D’ and not a Historic Resource
Alarm Systems are allowed but may require an electrical permit or a building permit.
Design Overlay Zone ‘D’
Interior Alarm Systems are allowed without Design Review but, depending on the type, may require an electrical permit or a building permit.
Historic Resource Sites
Interior alarm systems are allowed without Historic Resource review, but depending on the type, they may require an electrical permit or a building permit.
Exterior Lights
Outside of Design Overlay Zone ‘d’ and not a Historic Resource
Exterior lights are allowed but require an electrical permit.
Design Overlay Zone ‘d’
- Exterior lights are allowed with Design Review until January 1, 2029, if the exterior light fixture is located no more than 15 feet above grade, and only projects downward.
In all cases, these require an electrical permit.
Historic Resource Sites
Exterior lights are allowed with an electrical permit if they:
- Are no more than 18 inches in any dimension and are attached to exterior finish material or mounted through mortar joints when on a masonry wall, or
- Will not alter the exterior features of a resource having such features specifically listed in the Historic Landmark documentation or National Register nomination as attributes that contribute to the resource's historic significance.
- All other exterior lights require Historic Resource Review.
Security Window Treatments
Outside of Design Overlay Zone ‘d’ and not a Historic Resource
- Security Window film is allowed and does not require a permit when installed under the following conditions:
- It is applied to existing glass windows and doors.
- The film can be installed on the inside or outside surface of the glass per manufacturers’ specifications.
- The film must be clear.
- Replacing clear glass with clear laminated glass is allowed but requires a building permit.
- Polycarbonate glazing affixed in front of existing clear glass is allowed and does not require a permit.
- Polycarbonate glazing replacing existing clear glass is allowed but requires a building permit.
Design Overlay Zone ‘d’
- Security Window film does not require a permit. It is allowed without Design Review, provided that:
- The window film is applied to existing glass windows and doors.
- The film can be installed on the inside or outside surface of the glass, per the manufacturer’s specifications.
- The film must be clear.
- Replacing clear glass with clear laminated glass is allowed without Design Review but requires a building permit.
- Polycarbonate glazing affixed to existing clear glass is allowed without Design Review and does not require a permit.
- Polycarbonate glazing replacing existing clear glass requires Design Review and a building permit.
Interior and Exterior Security Gates
Outside of Design Overlay Zone ‘d’ and not a Historic Resource
Interior and exterior security gates are allowed but require a building permit. The following conditions apply:
- The gates cannot be solid shutters
- An open grille must maintain views into the space and allow light to spill out onto the sidewalk.
Design Overlay Zone ‘d’
- Interior security gates require a building permit and are allowed without Design Review, though the following conditions apply:
- The gates cannot be solid shutters.
- The gates must maintain views into the space and allow light to spill out onto the sidewalk.
- Exterior security gates require a building permit and are allowed without Design Review until January 1, 2029, if the gate is less than 50% site obscuring.
Historic Resource Sites
- Interior security gates require a building permit, and they are allowed without Historic Resource Review, though the following conditions apply:
- The gates cannot be solid shutters.
- The gates must maintain views into the space and allow light to spill out onto the sidewalk.
- Exterior security gates require a building permit and Historic Resource Review.
Garage Gates
Outside of Design Overlay Zone ‘D’ and not a Historic Resource
Garage gates are allowed but require a building permit.
Design Overlay Zone ‘D’
Garage gates require a building permit and are allowed if inset from the building face at least 10 feet.
Historic Resource Sites
Garage gates require a building permit and are allowed if inset from the building face is at least 10 feet.
For non-contributing resources, the alterations outlined above are allowed, when the following conditions are met:
- The alterations affect only non-street-facing façades; and
- The total combined area altered on all façades is not more than 150 square feet
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about whether a permit is required for your storefront improvement, please schedule a free 15-minute question appointment with a Permit Technician.
If you have any questions about design or historic regulations, please schedule a free 15-minute question appointment with a City Planner. It is recommended to schedule a “Design or historic regulations and review” appointment.