System Development Charges (SDCs)

• Pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card when we issue a building permit.
• Water SDCs are due when you pay for water services. Pay by check, money order, or credit card.
• You may transfer SDC credits (contact respective bureaus for more information).

• The deferral period depends on the project value.
• You will need to sign a deferral contract.
• Interest will gain at the City’s interim rate during the deferral period.
• You must pay the interest and deferred amount at the end of the period.
• There is a non-refundable $50.00 finance fee.

• Pay SDCs in monthly or bi-annual installments over 5, 10, or 20 years.
• Complete and sign an installment contract to apply.

• The City secures loans or deferrals by placing a lien on the property.
• The lien remains until the SDCs are paid in full.
• A non-refundable processing fee covers the set-up cost of the loan or deferral.
• The property owner of record must sign the installment contract.
• A non-refundable fee applies to set up the loan or deferral.

Environmental Services Stormwater SDC Reductions

• Lower your stormwater SDCs by reducing the impervious area on your property.
• You can do this by removing impervious surfaces like pavement or rooftops. Replace them with vegetation or other pervious materials that let water soak into the ground.

Parks

To use different occupancy numbers for residential or nonresidential development, follow these steps:

1. Submit analyzed and certified documentation from a qualified professional.
2. Focus the analysis on occupancy by structure type, not intended occupancy.
3. Complete the Alternative SDC Rate Request Form (PSDC-6). Include it with your application.

Visit the City’s Parks SDC Methodology Report.

Transportation

Different trip generation rates from the Transportation SDC Ordinance. 

• To use different rates, submit certified data.
• The data must come from a professional traffic engineer.
• Use the form below and attach it to your application.

Institutional development (educational and medical campuses). 

• You may base system development charges on annual changes in trip generation.
• Use the TSDC-4 form below and attach it to your application.

Credits for providing qualified public improvements are available.

Environmental Services SDC Credits

• Sanitary SDC credits are based on the total count of pre-existing plumbing fixtures.
• You may likely get a credit if there is a net decrease in waste plumbing fixtures that drain to the sewer.
• Credits stay with the property and are not transferable.
• Credits can be applied to future projects.

Parks SDC Credits

• Donate property or improvements to qualified parks to reduce your Parks' SDCs.
• Use the PSDC-7 form below to submit a request, and attach it to your System Development Charge Form.

Transportation SDC Credits

Make improvements to specific transportation facilities to reduce your Transportation SDC.

• Credits are available if you help construct certain street improvements.
• Credits are also available if you change building use to one that reduces trips by more than 15%.
• Contact Transportation to learn which projects qualify for a credit.

Use the TSDC-5 form below to submit the data, and attach it to your System Development Charge Form.

Water SDC Credits

• Credits are given for water services that are permanently removed.
• The credit is applied toward the SDC fee of a new metered service.
• Credits are not transferable.

Transfer, give or sell your SDC credits to someone else

Some credits may be transferred, given away, or sold:

• Parks
  • You can use credits on future phases of the original development.
  • Credits can also be applied to other projects, according to certain provisions.
  • Provisions are outlined in Parks SDC code.
• Transportation
  • For use on the same parcel from which the credit originated.
  • Credit is for payment of Transportation SDCs only.
  • Credits are good for 10 years.
• Environmental Services and Water do not transfer credits.

Housing exemptions

• Permits for newly created housing units issued from Aug. 15, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028, may be exempt from SDCs under certain conditions.
• Visit the Portland Housing Bureau's SDC Exemption Program for affordable housing.

Transportation exemptions

• Remodels that don't change the use of the building.
• Changing the use of a building that is 3,000 sq. ft. or less.
• Buildings between 3,001 and 5,000 sq. ft. are assessed on a graded scale.
• Qualifying affordable housing projects.
• ADUs with covenant that prohibits use as a short-term rental for 10 years.
• Permits that have only a small impact on a person's trips.

Environmental Services, Parks, and Water exemptions

• Exemptions are available for qualifying affordable housing and campus housing projects.
• Parks has additional exemptions outlined in City Code 17.13.060.

• Sanitary SDC is based on
  • How the building will be used (called the Occupancy Tier Type).
    • Occupancy Tier Type is explained on Environmental Services' SDCs.
  • The number and type of waste plumbing fixtures that drain to the sewer.
• Stormwater SDC is based on the amount of impervious area in the project.
  • Impervious areas include rooftops, pavement, patios, and driveways.
  • This area is measured in square feet.

• Rate Calculation. Based on the type and size of the building.
• Demolition Credits. Available if demolition occurred within 36 months of the new permit intake date.
• When SDCs Apply
  • New construction
  • Changes in use
  • Projects that expand existing use

• Rate Calculation:
  • The rate is based on the amount of money the City needs to collect over the next 10 years. This funding will expand the transportation system to handle growth-related trips.
  • Considers the projected city growth over the next 10 years.
  • The SDC rate is based on the number of trips your proposed land use generates. This number is calculated using nationally compiled statistics
• Overlay Areas:
  • Additional Transportation SDC fees may apply to developments in certain “overlay” areas.
  • Contact Transportation to find out if your development is in an overlay area.

• Rate Calculation: Based on the size of the meter installed.
• Meter Size: Determined by the number of plumbing fixtures at the property.
• Exemptions: Fire lines are exempt from SDC fees.

City charges are adjusted annually for inflation, starting on July 1 each fiscal year.

City departments may change rates at other times. This often happens during their SDC Review Cycle, which varies by area.