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Starting June 3, 2025, customers who use a credit or debit card to pay their sewer, stormwater, and water bill will pay a 2.95% processing fee. To avoid this fee, customers can make an electronic payment directly from their bank account. Learn more.

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Portland is a Sanctuary City

Free 15-minute appointments for permit, code, and zoning questions

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Get a free 15-minute appointment to help plan your project. Learn about building codes, zoning rules, and permit requirements before you apply. Meet with staff online, by phone, or in person. Bring your design ideas and property research.
Smiling and waving Asian woman on 15-min video call from home laptop.

Meetings are 15 minutes long.

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🛑 Questions about a permit under review?

Do you have a permit number? Questions about checksheets? Contact your assigned reviewers.

Find your assigned reviewers on DevHub under Upload Corrections.

15-minute appointments are for before you apply.

Language access and accommodations

Translation, interpretation, and accommodations

503-823-7300 or TTY 503-823-6868

Translation and Interpretation | Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या  | 口笔译服务  |   Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad  |  Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |  Chiaku me Awewen Kapas  | 翻訳と通訳 | 번역 및 통역  | Pagsasalin at Interpretasyon  |  ການແປແລະການແປພາສາ  |  ترجمة والترجمة الفورية  |  ការបកប្រែនិងការបកប្រែភាសា

Live captions during a virtual appointment

You can use automatic, real-time captions during a virtual 15-minute question appointment. Learn more about how to use live captions during a Microsoft Teams call.


Zoning and land use questions

Meet with a City Planner before applying for building permits or land use reviews.

View specific zones, overlay zones, and other property information on PortlandMaps.

Appointment types:

  • General zoning questions

    • Find out:
      • Where can you build on a lot?
      • What can you build on a lot?
      • What is your zoning?
      • Setback and height regulations
    • Use or development of a property related to:
      • Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
      • Converting your garage
      • Fences
      • Tiny house
      • Residential infill options
      • Short-term rentals (ex. Airbnb)
    • Land use reviews
      • Adjustments
      • Conditional use reviews
      • Any other land use review not listed below
  • Land division, lot confirmation, and property line adjustments

    • Land division: Split a property into new lots, parcels, or tracts.
    • Lot confirmation: Check if a lot can be legally developed.
    • Middle housing land divisions
    • Property line adjustment: Move a property line between two neighboring lots.
  • Properties in environmental, river, or greenway zones

    • Environmental: Questions about projects in “c” or “p” environmental zones.
    • Greenway: Questions about projects in the “n”, “r”, “g”, “i”, or “q” greenway overlay zones.
    • River Review:Ask about projects in the
      • “e” river environmental zone.
      • “g*” river general zone
      • “r*” river recreational zone
  • Properties in design and historic zones

    • Design overlay: Review for projects in the "d" Design overlay zone.
    • Historic landmarks and districts:
      • Review changes to historic properties.
      • Review new developments in historic areas.

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments 

Virtual: Meet with a City Planner (online or over the phone)

In person: Meet with a City Planner at 1900 SW 4th Ave.

Need an answer sooner? Call 503-823-7300. Leave a message with Zoning staff. Include your question, address, and details about your project.


Building code, engineering, floodplain, and erosion control questions

Appointment types:

Residential Building Code (one- and two-family dwellings)

  • Find out if you need a building permit for your project.
    • We answer the "Do I need a permit?" question.
  • Building code requirements for 1 & 2-family dwellings. (Oregon Residential Specialty Code)
    • Additions
    • New constructions
    • Remodels
  • Structure types
    • Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
    • Single-family dwellings
    • Two-family dwellings (ex. duplex)
    • Townhouses
    • Accessory structures, such as a garage or shed
  • Common projects
    • Adding a second-floor
    • Converting to living space
    • Decks
    • Egress windows
    • Home remodels
    • Seismic anchorage
    • Stairs
  • Find:
    • Engineering requirements
    • Fire-rated material requirements
    • If you'll need a licensed architect or engineer for your project
    • Room size and ceiling height requirements
    • Structural requirements

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments 

Virtual: Schedule with a Residential Building Code Reviewer (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule with a Building Code Reviewer (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)

Commercial Building Code

  • Building code requirements for commercial projects. (Oregon Structural Specialty Code)
    • Additions
    • New constructions
    • Remodels
  • Structure types
    • Commercial (office, retail, restaurants, transient lodging)
    • Industrial
    • Multi-family buildings (three or more residential units)
  • Meet with a commercial building code reviewer if you have questions about:
    • Accessibility requirements
    • Changing the occupancy or use of a building
    • Commercial building code requirements
    • Converting a residential building into a commercial building
    • Energy code
    • Occupancy classifications
    • Tenant improvements

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments 

Virtual: Schedule with a Commercial Building Code Reviewer (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule with a Building Code Reviewer (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)

Mechanical engineering for commercial projects

  • For commercial building plans. Mechanical code help
    • Meet the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code.
    • Find out what to include on your plans
  • Mechanical code questions related to:
    • Commercial HVAC systems
    • All other commercial Mechanical systems 
  • No in-person appointments. Online or phone appointments ONLY. 

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments 

Virtual: Schedule with an Mechanical Engineering Reviewer (meetings are online or over the phone)

Structural engineering for commercial projects

  • Get help with structural engineering building code questions. These include:
    • Design to handle gravity or vertical loads (weight of the building, snow, etc.).
    • Design to resist lateral loads (wind, earthquakes, soil pressure, etc.).
    • Seismic design requirements for existing buildings (Portland City Code 24.85).
    • Seismic upgrades for existing buildings (Portland City Code 24.85).
    • Structural elements like beams, columns, walls, and foundations.
    • Structural requirements for solar installations.
  • For answers, visit our Structural Engineering web page. If you need more help, book a 15-minute appointment.

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments 

Virtual: Schedule with a Structural Engineering Reviewer (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule with a Structural Engineering Reviewer (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)

Site development - Geotechnical, floodplain, and erosion control

  • Building on a steep slope? Do you need a geotechnical (soils) report for your permit? Meet with a geotechnical engineer.
  • Questions about code requirements for:
    • Erosion control
    • Floodplain development
    • Geotechnical engineering
    • Grading
    • Landslide hazards
    • Retaining wall design and loading
    • Septic decommissioning (e.g. cesspool)

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule with an Site Development Engineering Reviewer (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule with an Site Development Engineering Reviewer (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)


Application requirements and permit process questions

Permit technicians can explain the permit process or what you need to apply.

"Do I need a permit?" questions, meet with a Building Code and Engineering Reviewer

Expired or void permit questions? Email ppdinspections@portlandoregon.gov.

Appointment types:

Residential and Sign permits

  • 1 & 2 family homes
  • Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs  
  • Duplexes   
  • Garages, decks, and fences on residential property
  • Townhouses 
  • Sign permits

Revisions or deferred submittals for residential permits. Schedule an appointment with STARS.

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule with a Residential Permit Technician (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule with a Residential Permit Technician (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)

Commercial permits or other permits

  • Commercial (office, retail, restaurants)
  • Condominiums, apartments, multi-family (three-family units or more)
  • Development review: Vending carts and stormwater mitigation systems
  • Industrial
  • Site development: Grading, groundwork for new subdivisions, landslide repair, and private streets

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule with a Commercial Permit Technician (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule with a Commercial Permit Technician (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)

Solar, Trade, Addresses, and Residential revisions and deferred submittals (STARS)

  • Solar permits. For non-technical questions regarding solar permit set-up and processing
  • Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, and plumbing). For non-technical or non-inspection-related questions about permits that are not expired or void. Ask about permit setup and processing.
  • Addresses. For general questions about property address review or assignment. Address reviews and decisions will happen outside of 15-minute appointments.
  • Residential revisions and deferred submittals. For general questions about permit revisions and deferred submittals for residential projects.

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule with a STARS Permit Technician (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule with a STARS Permit Technician (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)


Water services questions

For development and construction-related questions about water services.

Water availability

  • Information on how to schedule service installation and other water work
  • Meter size and service branch size
  • Meter upsizing requirements and costs
  • Submittal requirements on your site plan for Water review
  • Water code requirements in Title 21
  • Water main availability, location, and size

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule a meeting to discuss water availability (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule a meeting to discuss water availability (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)

Water quality backflow

  • Dedicated Irrigation Meter size and PI backflow protection
  • Dedicated Fire line size and PI backflow protection
  • Domestic Meter size and PI backflow protection
  • Submittal requirements. Show all utilities on your site plan for Water review.
  • Water main availability, location, and size

Visit legal and installation requirements for backflow protection.

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule a meeting to discuss water backflow (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule a meeting to discuss water backflow (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)


Sewer and stormwater questions

Help with sewer and stormwater service needs.

  • Connecting to public sewer
  • Design of stormwater facilities
  • Drainage way and drainage reserve requirements
  • Easements granted to the Bureau of Environmental Services
  • Public sewer extensions
  • Source Control Manual requirements
  • Stormwater improvements in the public right-of-way
  • Stormwater management triggers and requirements

Helpful links:

Contact Environmental Services staff by phone at 503-823-7761. Leave a message and calls will be returned within approximately one business day.

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

⏱ 15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedulea meeting to discuss sewer or stormwater questions (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule a meeting to discuss sewer or stormwater questions (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)


Fire safety questions

General fire safety questions for development and construction.

  • Access and water supply
  • Fire sprinklers – where required only
  • Fire alarms – where required only
  • Hazardous tanks
  • Occupant load certificates/signs
  • Solar PV installations

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

⏱ 15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule a meeting to discuss fire safety (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule a meeting to discuss fire safety (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)


Street and right-of-way questions

  • Right-of-way improvements
    • Find out if your project needs right-of-way improvements.
    • Check if other conditions are required for building permit approval.
  • Get help with requirements
    • Ask about right-of-way rules for private projects.

Appointment types:

Transportation for residential projects

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

⏱ 15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule a meeting to discuss transportation requirements for residential projects (meetings are online or over the phone)

In person: Schedule a meeting to discuss transportation requirements for residential projects (meetings are at 1900 SW 4th Ave.)

Transportation for commercial projects

  • Discuss general transportation requirements for:
    • ADA improvements
    • Alley improvements
    • Changes in building use or occupancy
    • Commercial alterations
    • Demolition work next to or in the right-of-way
    • Driveways
    • Encroachment in the right-of-way (shoring, basements, overhead projections, etc.)
    • New commercial, mixed-use, multifamily, industrial, or tenant improvement development
    • Site access
    • Transportation conditions adjacent to a State Highway (ODOT)

Questions about a permit under review? Contact your assigned reviewer(s).

  • ✅ Checksheet questions? Find the reviewer assigned to your permit on DevHubunder Upload Corrections.
    • Contact information is on the first page of your checksheet.

⏱ 15-minute question appointments

Virtual: Schedule a meeting to discuss transportation requirements for commercial projects (meetings are online or over the phone)


Tree questions

Definitions

  • Development: Any work that changes the land or adds structures. Development can include building a house, adding a garage, grading, or paving.
  • Street trees: Trees between the sidewalk and the street.

We offer three types of tree appointments:


How do you prefer to meet?

Online video meeting

We use Microsoft Teams for virtual appointments. Teams is a video-conferencing application and is free to download.

Phone or tablets

Please download Teams from your mobile device's app store before your appointment.

Download Microsoft Teams on the Apple App Store
Download Microsoft Teams on Google Play

Desktop or laptops

You can join your meeting with your preferred web browser. You don't need to download any apps.

Learn more about using Microsoft Teams.

Phone call

You can find the dial-in phone number in your meeting invitation.

With a phone meeting, you won't be able to share your screen for us to review documents.

In-person at the Development Services Center, 1900 SW 4th Ave.

  • Bring documents and plans
    • On a flash drive, or
    • Printed or hand-drawn materials

Prepare for your appointment

Organize and plan

  • Make sure your project is within the city of Portland.
  • Have the property address and electronic project documents ready.
  • Prepare all your questions in advance.
  • Find the required forms and information.
  • You cannot apply for permits or submit plans during these meetings. Regardless of appointment type.
  • Please arrive on time. Staff will cancel the appointment after five minutes of waiting.

Prepare your device

  • Have electronic documents and drawings ready to share. This will help staff assist you better.
  • Share your screen. You can share your electronic project documents during your appointment.
  • Internet access. Make sure you can stay connected to the internet for your appointment.
  • Being on camera is optional.
  • City employees can share their computer screens for online meetings.

Additional help and contact information

Bureau of Environmental Services (BES)

BES phone: 503-823-7761  

BES Source Control phone: 503-823-7122 

Email: BESDevelopmentReview@portlandoregon.gov

Inclusionary Housing

Affordable housing density bonus programs and affordable housing exemption programs. 

Portland Housing Bureau phone: 503-823-9042

Email: Inclusionary-Housing@portlandoregon.gov

Parks

Parks Systems Development Charge (SDC)

Parks SDC phone: 503-823-5105 

Email: parks.sdc@portlandoregon.gov 

Parks Urban Forestry

Tree phone: 503-823-TREE (8733)  

Email: trees@portlandoregon.gov 

Transportation

Transportation Systems Development Charge (SDC)

Transportation SDC phone: 503-823-7002, option #2 

Email: PBOTSDC@portlandoregon.gov

Transportation Temporary Street Use  

Please visit Temporary Street Use Permitting (TSUP)


More ways to get early assistance with your project

Explore Early Assistance options before applying for a building permit.

Contact

General Inquiries

Portland Permitting & Development
phone number503-823-7300The phone is answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please leave a message if you call outside of those hours.
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