Codes, rules, and guides

Information
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Portland Permitting & Development carries out City and State codes and administrative rules. Get code and program guides that explain how the codes and rules are applied. Request a code change.
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State Building Codes and Administrative Rules

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

City Codes

Portland Permitting & Development administers the following City codes:

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

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 Portland City Code 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:

Building Code Guides

Building Code Guides (BCGs) and Building Official Determinations (BODs) provide answers about the application of building codes and outline optional alternates. BODs are typically smaller in scope and address simpler questions. Code Guides provide a comprehensive alternative to a complicated set of code requirements.

Building Official Determinations

Business Practice Policies

Business Practice Policies are policies related to 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.

Portland Permitting & Development Director's Interpretations

Transportation Codes & 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.