Commonly asked zoning questions
Check our commonly asked zoning questions before reaching out.
Call or email for general help
For basic zoning, project, and property questions, contact:
When reaching out, provide:
- Property address or tax account number
- Details about the information you need
- Preference for a phone call or email response
Response time: We aim to reply within 2 business days.
Call duration: Discussions are up to 15 minutes.
✔️ Best for: Quick questions about a specific site or zoning process.
❌ Not for: Written land use determinations or general zoning topics unrelated to a site.
Need more details? Schedule a 15-minute appointment
Book a free 15-minute online appointment for:
- A deeper conversation about a specific site or project.
- A meeting with staff for follow-up questions.
Zoning confirmation letters
Request a Zoning Confirmation Letter to get:
- A written analysis of zoning rules for a property
- Simple or complex zoning reviews
- Land Use Compatibility Statements (LUCS)
- An analysis of specific situations or questions along with documentation
Zoning and Infrastructure Review
Early assistance appointments
Discuss zoning rules, key requirements, and potential issues early in your project.
Choose from:
- Meeting or notes with planner; or
- Meeting or notes with planner and infrastructure staff (transportation, water, sewer, etc.)
Explore early assistance options for zoning and infrastructure review.
Pre-permit zoning plan check
Your project or site must meet zoning requirements. Get a pre-permit zoning plan check before applying for a building permit.
Options:
- Submit site plans with elevations for review
- Request a summary of zoning rules for a site
Get a pre-permit zoning plan check.
Design advice requests
Get early feedback from the Design Commission or Historic Landmarks Commission. Get design advice before submitting a Design or Historic Resource Review.
✔️ Best for: Large projects that require design or historic review.
❌ Not: Design advice is not a land use review. Decisions are not made when getting design advice.
Pre-application conferences
Projects needing a Type III or IV land use review.
Meet with staff before submitting your land use review application to:
- Confirm application requirements, procedures, and regulations
- Get early feedback on your project
Schedule a pre-application conference.
Life safety preliminary meeting
Discuss complex building code or fire code issues. Meet before submitting your building permit plans.
✔️ Best for: Projects with challenging safety or fire code requirements.
Meet with a building code reviewer.
Early coordination meeting
Planning a project in wetlands or waterways?
Discuss projects that will remove or fill material in wetlands or waterways.
Meet with regulatory agencies including:
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
- Oregon Department of State Lands
✔️ Best for: Prospective applicants for 404/401 Water Quality Certification and removal-fill permits.
Apply through the Oregon Department of State Lands.
Costs. Please refer to the current fee schedule for Land Use services' fees.