Amend permit fee schedules for building, cannabis, electrical, enforcement, land use services, mechanical, noise, plumbing, signs, site development, and land use services fee schedule for the Hearings Office
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The Bureau of Development Services (BDS) promotes safety, livability, and economic vitality through efficient and collaborative application of building and development codes.
- In 1988-89, the Development Services Operating Fund was established with a policy that construction-related programs in the fund would be full self-supporting. Since that time, BDS has kept these programs self-supporting by providing efficient, effective services and applying periodic, moderate fee increases that allow the bureau to respond to increasing costs and to be innovative and proactive in meeting changing customer needs.
- BDS collects fees under various fee schedules, including building, land use, neighborhood inspections, plumbing, signs, site development, and others. These fees are used by BDS to fund inspections, plan review, permit issuance, land use review, code enforcement, customer assistance and other functions.
- Fees charged for services delegated from the State Building Codes Division (BCD) must comply with the fee calculation methodologies as determined by BCD and described in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 918-050-0000 through 918-050-0170.
- Fees charged must be used to cover the costs of administering and enforcing the State Building Code only and may not be used to cover the costs of administering and enforcing local codes. Fees charged by BDS should cover the costs of providing the services.
- BDS has been proactive in informing bureau customers and stakeholders regarding the need and rationale for the proposed fee changes. The bureau has published information about the proposed changes on its website.
- The following estimated collection increases are needed for BDS to reach budgetary goals for FY 2024-25, meet annual expenses and build or maintain prudent reserves:
| Building/Mechanical Program | 8% |
| Cannabis Licensing Program | 8% |
| Electrical Program | 8% |
| Facility Permit Program | 8% |
| Field Issuance Remodel Program | 15% |
| Land Use Services Program | 9% |
| Neighborhood Inspections Program | 22% |
| Noise Program | 8% |
| Plumbing Program | 8% |
| Signs Program | 8% |
| Site Development Program | 8% |
| Zoning Enforcement Program | 8% |
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The Fee Schedules listed as exhibits A through M to this ordinance shall be effective July 1, 2024.
- This ordinance is binding City policy.
In support of this ordinance, the following Exhibits (A-M) describe the current and proposed fees:
- Exhibit A: Building
- Exhibit B: Electrical
- Exhibit C: Mechanical
- Exhibit D: Plumbing
- Exhibit E: Signs
- Exhibit F: Site Development
- Exhibit G: Land Use Services (LUS)
- Exhibit H: Life Safety (LUS)
- Exhibit I: Site Development (LUS)
- Exhibit J: Hearings Office
- Exhibit K: Enforcement
- Exhibit L: Cannabis
- Exhibit M: Noise
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The Bureau of Development Services (BDS) collects fees under various fee schedules to fund inspections, plan review, permit issuance, land use review, customer assistance, and other functions. Most bureau programs have the goal to be self-supporting, while three programs receive General Fund support. Of the three programs receiving General Fund Support, two (Neighborhood Inspections and Noise) are affected by this ordinance.
While the bureau recognizes the impact of increased fees on its customers, fee increases will be necessary to improve service levels, respond to current and future service level demands, and to operate closer to cost recovery. BDS is therefore proposing fee schedule changes to increase estimated collections to most programs by approximately 8%.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
Proposed fee increases are expected to result in the following estimated changes to annual program collections:
| Program | Estimated Collection Increases | |
| Percent | Dollar (Full-Year) | |
| Building/Mechanical Program | 8% | $ 1,579,661 |
| Cannabis Licensing Program | 8% | $ 132,966 |
| Electrical Program | 8% | $ 414,951 |
| Facility Permit Program | 8% | $ 312,195 |
| Field Issuance Remodel Program | 15% | $ 398,884 |
| Land Use Services Program | 9% | $ 824,998 |
| Neighborhood Inspections Program | 22% | $ 383,422 |
| Noise Program | 8% | $ 12,262 |
| Plumbing Program | 8% | $ 276,985 |
| Sign Program | 8% | $ 15,553 |
| Site Development Program | 8% | $ 163,316 |
| Zoning Enforcement Program | 8% | $ 120,690 |
| Total | 9% | $ 4,635,883 |
Estimated collection increases are aggregated, however percentage change to individual fees may vary. This ordinance does not amend the BDS budget.
This legislation does not create, eliminate, or re-classify positions now or in the future. Additional staff time required is limited to performing outreach, preparing the revised fee schedules, and this subsequent legislation. Existing BDS staff will implement and administer the revised fee schedule as part of the existing workload. There is no change to demographic impacts or changes in staffing. The legislation does not result in a new or modified financial obligation or benefit, including IAs, IGAs, MOUs, grants, contracts, or contract amendments.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
BDS has been proactive in keeping customers and stakeholders informed regarding these proposed fee changes. The bureau has published information about the proposed fee increases on its website. Additionally, division managers have reached out to appropriate industry organizations and committees.
The bureau knows these changes affect its customers’ work and their willingness to do business in this area. BDS’s interests are in delivering excellent levels of service and increasing its effectiveness on both its customers’ and the community’s behalf.
Financial and Budget Analysis
This action authorizes an annual update to the PP&D fee schedule. PP&D is proposing changes to the fee schedule to increase estimated collections for most programs by approximately 8%, except for the Field Issuance Remodel Program (15%), the Land Use Services Program (9%), and the Neighborhood Inspections Program (22%). The total projected fee revenue is estimated to result in an additional $4.6 million, based on projected applications for FY 2024-25.