Housing Regulatory Relief
This package of zoning code changes provides greater flexibility on more than a dozen code requirements, including bike parking requirements, standards for ground floor active uses, and when non-conforming upgrades are needed. In addition, the legislation extends the expiration dates of certain land use review decisions to March 1, 2025.
Some of the provisions of the new code changes offer flexibility for projects whose permits are currently under review, or for projects that are under construction. This includes housing projects that were not issued a building permit before March 1, 2024, or that may have permits issued but did not receive a final inspection as of March 1, 2024.
If you have a housing development project that is currently under review, or if you are planning to apply for development permits to build new housing units, please schedule a 15-minute appointment with a city planner to learn how these new regulations may affect your project.
Inclusionary Housing Calibration
In addition to changes to the zoning code, the Inclusionary Housing Calibration project allows development projects located in more areas of Portland to receive an expanded property tax exemption for complying with the City’s Inclusionary Housing policies. More specifically, the 10-year Multiple-Unit Limited Tax Exemption (MULTE) would now be eligible for up to 100 percent of the residential structural improvements, including both market-rate units and those limited to certain affordability restrictions.
This expanded property tax exemption is available to projects that have not yet received a certificate of occupancy and are located in certain areas of the City, as long as the projects include units affordable to those at or below 60 percent of area median income (AMI). Buildings in an eligible area for which building permits have not been issued can change their inclusionary housing option from 80 to 60 percent AMI to qualify.
Please contact the Portland Housing Bureau with questions about the expanded MULTE under the Inclusionary Housing program at 503-823-9042 or inclusionary-housing@portlandor….