Who Can Cancel a Permit?

Guide
Get information about who can cancel a permit at all steps of the permit process. Learn more about what the City does with plans from a cancelled project. Find out who can can cancel a building permit and how to cancel your application before or after you get a permit.
On this page

Application- before intake fees paid

The applicant, owner, tenant if commercial permit, or someone with written permission from any of these people or groups may cancel the permit. Plans taken in for review will be retained by Portland Permitting & Development for 10 business days. If intake fees aren't paid within those 10 business days, the plans will be recycled.

Permit under review- fees paid but no reviews completed

The permit payor, owner, tenant if commercial permit, or someone with written permission from any of these people or groups may cancel the permit. The applicant, owner, or anyone associated with the project may request to have the plans returned to them. If the permit is canceled and no one requests the plans, they will be recycled.

Permit under review when review(s) have been completed

The owner, tenant if commercial permit, or someone with written permission from any of these people or groups may cancel the permit. The applicant, owner or anyone associated with the project may request to have the plans returned to them. If the permit is canceled and no one requests the plans, they will be recycled. If Portland Permitting & Development receives a letter from an architect stating no changes are authorized, new plans must be submitted for revisions.

Permit approved to Issue

The owner, tenant if commercial permit, or someone with written permission from any of these people or groups may cancel the permit. The applicant, owner or anyone associated with the project may request to have the plans returned to them. If you cancel the permit and no one requests the plans, we will recycle them. If we get a letter from an architect stating no changes are authorized, you must submit new plans for revisions. We keep a set of approved plans.

Once the permit has been issued

If it isn't a Field Issuance Remodel (FIR) project: The owner, tenant if commercial permit, or someone with written permission from any of these people or groups may cancel the permit.

For FIR projects only: The owner may cancel the permit.

The applicant, owner, or anyone associated with the project may request to have the plans returned to them. If you cancel the permit and no one requests the plans, we will recycle them. If we get a letter from an architect stating no changes are authorized, you must submit new plans for revisions. We keep a set of approved plans.

If the project is under Inspection

Can revise, but can't cancel these permits.

Under inspection - and after final inspection

Can’t cancel these permits. 

Once the permit is final

Can’t cancel these permits. 

Field Issuance Remodel (FIR) and Facility Permit Program (FPP) permits 

If you have a permit through the Field Issuance Remodel (FIR) program or the Facility Permit Program (FPP), please contact them for information about permits.

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