The Building Official is the City’s building code expert and is empowered to provide an official interpretation of applicable codes. Their decisions may be appealed to one of the independent appeals boards that the Building Official’s team supports. The Building Official also works closely with the Fire Marshal to ensure consistent application of codes in the development review process.
As the Building Official, Didion will be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the City’s building permitting, plan review and inspection programs. At Permitting & Development, the Building Official delegates authority to bureau employees for the intake, review, issuance and inspection of permits and other functions required to administer and enforce state and national building codes.
Didion joined the Bureau of Development Services in 2014 as a commercial plans examiner. She was promoted to a supervisory role in 2017, managing a team of experts at Permitting & Development that reviews construction plans of residential and commercial structures for building code compliance. She was named Plans Examiner of the Year by the Oregon Building Officials Association in 2024.
“Natalie led many recent improvements, including updating policies and codes, promoting pre-approved plans for accessory dwelling units, and initiating meetings with applicants after the first checksheets to explain needed improvements and reduce review cycles,” said David Kuhnhausen, interim director of Permitting & Development. “She understands the complexities of building codes and works diligently with customers to resolve challenges. She is an excellent choice for this important role.
“I also thank Matt Rozzell for his service as Portland’s Building Official,” he continued. “Matt’s involvement in many important development projects and code updates improved building safety and kept construction activity going in Portland during difficult times. I am grateful for his service and wish him well in his new position.”
Didion is a Registered Architect and holds multiple certifications from the State of Oregon and the International Code Council relating to the examination of building plans. A native of Texas, she received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Texas at Austin. After relocating to Oregon, while pursuing sculpture, Didion worked for the Rebuilding Center, becoming a certified lumber grader. This work led to an interest in construction and architecture, and she earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon.
Prior to joining the City of Portland, she worked at Yost Grube Hall Architecture and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects. Some of her notable projects include security upgrades to the U.S. Embassy compounds in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and in Majuro, Marshall Islands. She also worked on the restoration of the historic McAlexander Fieldhouse at Oregon State University.
“I am honored to take on this responsibility and continue our efforts to enhance building safety, support the vital construction sector, and improve outcomes for developers and users of Portland’s built environment,” said Didion.