Codes, rules, and guides

State Building Codes and Administrative Rules

State building codes and related administrative rules and interpretations are listed below.

• Oregon Energy Codes and Standards
• Building Codes Division Statewide Code Interpretations
• Oregon Administrative Rules 918
• Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS):
  • ORS 446 (Manufactured dwellings and structures; parks; tourist facilities; ownership records; dealers and dealerships)
  • ORS 447 (Plumbing; architectural barriers)
  • ORS 455 (Building Code)
  • ORS 460 (Elevators; amusement rides and devices)
  • ORS 479 (Protection of buildings from fire; electrical safety law)
  • ORS 480 (Explosives; flammable materials; pressure vessels)
• State Appeal Decisions
• State Building Codes
• Statewide Alternate Methods

City Codes

Portland Permitting & Development administers the following City codes:

• Chapter 3.30 Portland Permitting & Development
• Chapter 16.60 Motor Vehicle Fuels
• Title 4 Original Art Murals
• Title 10 Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations
• Portions of Title 11 Trees
• Portions of Title 14, Public Order and Police:
  • Chapter 14B.100, Liquor License Recommendations;
  • Chapter 14B.120, Time, Place and Manner Regulations of Establishments that Sell and Serve Alcoholic Beverages; and
  • Chapter 14B.130, Marijuana Regulatory License Procedure and Requirements
• Portions of Title 17 and Title 21 that apply when a land use review, building permit, or other permit is required for work on real property
• Title 18 Noise Control
• Title 24 Building Regulations
• Title 25 Plumbing Regulations
• Title 26 Electrical Regulations
• Title 27 Heating and Ventilating Regulations
• Title 28 Floating Structures
• Title 29 Property Maintenance Regulations
• Title 31 Fire Regulations (coordinate with PF&R)
• Title 32 Signs and Related Regulations
• Title 33 Zoning Code
• Other City Titles

Bureau of Planning & Sustainability administers the following City codes related to permitting:

• Title 17.106 Deconstruction of Buildings Law

City Administrative Rules

Administrative rules are formally adopted policies, standards, and procedures that clarify the intent of Portland City Codes or outline the implementation details of its requirements.

All administrative rules are in one central location: Portland Policy Documents.

The administrative rules most frequently used in permitting and development are located in the following sections:

• Permitting & Development Administrative Policies & Procedures
• Permitting & Development Fee Schedules
• Assessments & Liens
• Special Inspection Program
• Sewer, Stormwater & Erosion Control
• Right-of-Way & Access
  • City standards, guidelines & requirements that impact space in Right-of-Way
• Natural Resource Protection
• Climate Change
• Demolitions

Building Code Guides

Building Code Guides (BCGs) provide answers about the application of building codes and outline optional alternatives. BCGs provide a comprehensive alternative to a complicated set of code requirements.

• Commercial Building Code Guides
• Plumbing Code Guides
• Residential Building Code Guides
• Rescinded Code Guides

Building Official Determinations

Building Official Determinations (BODs) provide answers about the application of building codes and outline optional alternatives. BODs are typically smaller in scope and address simpler questions.

Get the full list of BODs.

Business Practice Policies

Business Practice Policies are policies related to the business operations of Portland Permitting & Development and the Development Services Center at the discretion of the Portland Permitting & Development Director.

Program Guides

Program guides provide information on various complex PP&D programs and processes.

• Rescinded Program Guides

Portland Permitting & Development Director's Interpretations

Transportation Codes & Guides

• Review the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) codes and guides.

How to Request a Code Change

• To request a change to the City Codes that Portland Permitting & Development administers and enforces, email us and use “Code Change Recommendation” for the subject.
• You can recommend a regulatory improvement change.