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Plan Review Groups

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Permit review process information. Learn more about which groups review a project.
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This is a list of each of the review groups that could be assigned to your project.

Portland Permitting & Development

Permitting Services

This group is responsible for property addressing, permit set-up, plan routing, status checks, residential and commercial process management and permit issuance.  

Planning & Zoning Review

Review of one and two-family residential plans and commercial plans for compliance with zoning requirements such as environmental zones, design standards, non-conforming upgrades, conditions of land use decisions, landscaping standards, building coverage, height and setbacks. 

Life Safety Review

This group is responsible for reviewing residential and commercial building plan review and general information on fire/life safety, energy code, accessibility and related building and code issues. 

Structural Review

This group is responsible for the structural review of residential and commercial building permits. 

Site Development, Erosion Control, & Environmental Soils

This group provides geo-technical and site development plan review for residential, commercial, manufactured homes (on individual lots) and site development permits for grading, private streets, erosion control and land use for subdivisions, in addition to floodplain and erosion control plan review. 

Solar, Trades, Addressing and Residential Specialty (STARS) team 

Handles permit applications for solar permits, trade permits, addressing and residential specialty permits, including deferred submittals and revisions.

Environmental Services 

Development Review

This group provides residential and commercial plan reviews (includes grading permits, additions, alterations, parking lots, tenant improvements, etc.) for sanitary connections and stormwater management. 

Pollution Prevention Group - Source Control

This group reviews building plans and development projects for pollution source controls to meet environmental compliance standards for stormwater and sanitary discharges. 

Fire, Rescue, & Emergency Services

Fire Review Group

Review of all building permits requiring fire & life safety review, rack permits, site permits other than 1 & 2 family and in R3 zones identified as having inadequate water supply. 

Parks & Recreation

Urban Forestry / Tree Inspections

This group reviews and inspects commercial and residential permits and properties for compliance with street tree requirements. 

Water 

Development Services  - Water Available

This group is responsible for water main extensions, water services, fire services, issues hydrant permits and reviews residential and commercial building permits for water availability and water service needs. 

Water Quality Backflow Review

This group reviews plans to ensure backflow prevention assemblies are installed to protect water quality.

Transportation

Development Review 

This group is responsible for Land Use Reviews and Pre-Application Conferences; review of residential and commercial building permits; sidewalk and driveway permits. 

You might also want to learn more about Portland Development & Permit Processes, including Contractor License RequirementsFind a ContractorPermitting and Other Bureaus, how to Report a Problem and Who Can Cancel a Permit? And, read about the steps for getting a permit:

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