News

Do you want to make an impact on development in Portland? Read about joining the Development Review Advisory Committee.

Beginning July 1, 2018, Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Bureau of Transportation will assess development fees for additions to residential units by the amount of square footage in each structure.

Starting May 14, 2018, BDS staff will be piloting a change to help reduce customer wait times in the Development Services Center (DSC).

The Development Services Center (DSC) is suspending Residential Permit Night on Thursday, July 5, 2018 due to staffing issues from the Independence Day holiday on July 4.

Are you wondering if your project has made it to the last stage of the permit review process so that you can pay fees, have the permit issued, and begin construction? Now, instead of calling us or visiting Development Services, you can access the list of pre-issuance processing order online.

The following BDS policy is effective October 18, 2018. It outlines the BDS policy for granting extensions on residential demolition permits.

In an effort to improve our customer service interactions, ensure successful sign submittals and reduce review times, the following information is being provided to assist our customers.

9 a.m. opening due to our Annual Bureau-wide Employee Gathering & Appreciation event

The City of Portland has a strong interest in encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses, and promoting the health and success of the cannabis industry.

The City of Portland has a strong interest in encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses, and promoting the health and success of the cannabis industry.

Follow us on our social media outlets.

Design Commission Chair Julie Livingston presented the Commission’s annual State of the City report to Portland City Council on October 17, 2018. Five representatives of the development industry testified on behalf of the Commission.

From September 13, through October 7, 2018, BDS conducted an online survey of customers through the services of Portland State University’s Survey Research Lab (SRL). The purpose of the survey was to gather feedback about customer experiences with Development Services.

BDS Managers and Budget and Finance staff are busily working on our fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 Requested Budget and updated 5-Year Financial Plan, both due on February 4, 2019.

Over the next year, the City is phasing in a new more efficient plan review process for all types of building permits. This new process will establish dedicated windows of uninterrupted time for City staff to perform plan review.

During the rainy season, between October 1 and April 30 2018, ground-disturbing construction work requires an elevated level of attention. Wet weather site and erosion control measures are necessary throughout the City.

The Bureau of Development Services staff has been working to implement the Portland Online Permitting System (POPS), a program that will move the City’s paper-based development review process to a more streamlined and efficient online digital system.

Read news from BPS about DOZA, Comp Plan, multi-dwelling zones, neighborhood contact code requirements, residential infill, Willamette River, Equitable Housing Strategy and the bike parking code.

At various times during the year, the City provides opportunities for bureaus to adjust their current fiscal year budgets. Over the last few years, BDS has used these Budget Monitoring Processes (BMPs) to add staff positions in response to changes in workload, rather than having to wait.

On Oct. 19, Development Services hosted a Lunch & Learn on the basics of erosion and sediment control in residential development.