Please note: Due to limited staffing and a large workload, it could take two weeks or more to fulfill requests for building permit records. Please check PortlandMaps.com to view permit records that may already be available online, and your patience and understanding are appreciated as we work to provide permit records not available online. Thank you.
Read this first: Many records are available online
The records you seek may be available online. Please review the list of records below before filing a records request.
Building and trade (electrical, mechanical, and plumbing) permit records
Plans and applications for permits issued from June 1, 2012, through December 2023 are available for free on Portland Maps. To find individual permit information:
- Search by property address: In the Permits and Zoning section, select Permits. Then select a permit ID.
- Search by IVR number or permit number: Enter your IVR number or permit number.
Review helpful guides for using Portland Maps.
Please note: We have staffing limitations. Most documents for permits issued after December 2023 aren't yet on Portland Maps. To receive these records, you'll need to file a public records request.
Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing code appeals records
- For appeals considered before September 2003, search old plumbing permits and building code appeals.
- For appeals considered in or after September 2003, search recent appeals.
Land use reviews, decisions, and notices
- Completed land use decisions from 2017, and from 2020 to the present, are available in eFiles. Enter the land use case file in the search window (for example, 21-001350 LU). The full case file includes the decision and exhibits.
- Notices of pending land use proposals are available at Public Notices. You can also find recent land use decisions that are subject to appeal.
Cannabis information
See this map of locations related to the Cannabis Program. It shows how close medical dispensaries and cannabis shops are to schools.
Pending liquor license applications
Find liquor license applications currently under review.
Recent noise complaints and applications for noise variances
- See a map of noise complaints filed in the past 365 days.
- See a map of noise variance applications received in the past 365 days.
Code enforcement cases
- Find information about open code enforcement cases, updated monthly.
- See current and closed enforcement cases. Search by type of case, location, and time. In the Category dropdown, select Enforcement.
Collective permit and land use data available in Portland Maps
With Portland Maps Reports, you can find:
- Recent data about different permit types
- Recent applications for permits
- Recent applications for land use reviews
You can select your search parameters and download data from the following categories:
- Accessory dwelling unit permits
- Accessory short-term rental registry
- Commercial building permit applications received
- Commercial building permits issued
- Commercial land use review applications received
- Facility permit applications received
- Facility permits issued
- Residential building permit applications received
- Residential building permits issued
- Residential land use review applications received
The advanced features of Portland Maps let you search by permit type, status, location, or time. The types of permits for which information can be retrieved and downloaded include:
- Residential building permits: additions, alterations, demolitions, new construction
- Commercial building permits: additions, alterations, demolitions, new construction
- Permits issued through the Major Projects group
- Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, and plumbing)
A map of permits for new construction and demolition projects can be found here.
Current codes, policies, and administrative rules
Records not maintained by Permitting & Development
Permitting & Development does not maintain all records related to private property in the City of Portland. For the following types of records, please contact the public agencies or entities listed below.
Property ownership records (deeds, mortgages, easements and records related to sales transactions)
These records are maintained by the recording or property records division of the county in which the property is located.
Most properties in the City of Portland are located within Multnomah County. A few properties are located within Clackamas or Washington counties.
If you do not know the county in which a property is located, search for the property by address in Portland Maps. On the main property information screen, the "Jurisdiction" field should list the city (Portland) and county in which the property is located.
Property tax records
Property tax records are maintained by county assessors.
Most properties in the City of Portland are located within Multnomah County. A few properties are located within Clackamas or Washington counties.
If you do not know the county in which a property is located, search for the property by address in Portland Maps. On the main property information screen, the "Jurisdiction" field should list the city (Portland) and county in which the property is located.
Above-ground and underground storage tanks
Portland Fire & Rescue issues permits for the installation and removal of residential heating oil storage tanks. Please file a records request with Portland Fire & Rescue (in the "Public Safety" service area) to receive those records. Some neighborhoods within the City of Portland today were not inside the city limits when tanks were installed. Records may be incomplete.
Additional records related to storage tanks, including decommissioning information, may be available through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Tanks Program. Learn more about how to file a public records request with Oregon DEQ.
Fire permits and fire code violation cases
Portland Fire & Rescue maintains records for fire-related permits and violations. Please file a records request with Portland Fire & Rescue (in the "Public Safety" service area) to receive those records.
Fire incident reports
Portland Fire & Rescue maintains and provides fire incident reports which are available once any investigations are completed. Please file a records request with Portland Fire & Rescue (in the "Public Safety" service area) to receive those records.
Hazardous materials storage
Records for hazardous materials storage, spills and/or releases can be obtained through the Oregon State Fire Marshal. Learn more about how to file a public records request with the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
Environmental hazards, spills and clean-ups
The City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services maintains records relating to industrial pretreatment permits, stormwater permits, and clean-up of spills. Please file a records request with Environmental Services (in the "Public Works" service area) to receive these records.
Additional records relating to environmental hazards and clean-ups on private property may be sought through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Hazards and Cleanup Program. Learn more about how to file a public records request with Oregon DEQ.
Other environmental records
Please consult Your DEQ Online with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to find information and records relating to various types of environmental concerns. Learn more about how to file a public records request with Oregon DEQ.
Health inspections and licenses
Multnomah County's Health Division issues and inspects health licenses for various types of businesses. Learn more about how to file a public records request with Multnomah County.
Liens
Liens assessed by the City of Portland are managed by the Revenue Division. Please submit a records request to the Revenue Office (under the "Executive Offices" service area) to receive information about liens.
Elevator permits
The Oregon Building Codes Division issues elevator permits. Learn more about how to file a public records request with the Oregon Building Codes Division.
Utility records
- Water: The Portland Water Bureau provides water services to properties in Portland. All billing records for both water and sewer/stormwater services are provided through the Portland Water Bureau. Please file a public records request with the Water Bureau (under the "Public Works" service area) to find information for a particular property.
- Stormwater and sanitary sewer: All sewer records are available online through Portland Maps. Type in the address. In the "Sewer & Environmental" section under "Utilities," click on "Sewer Assets" to find as-builts, sewer assets and service requests. Sewer connection records (plumbing permits) are provided online through a property address search in Portland Maps. Click on "Permits, Land Use & Code Enforcement" under "Permits & Zoning" and scroll to the "Historic Plumbing" section.
- Garbage and recycling: The City of Portland franchises private-sector garbage companies to provide services to residential properties. Commercial properties may choose their own garbage and recycling service provider. For residential properties, search for a property's address on Portland Maps and scroll to the "Utilities" section on the right side to find out information about the company that provides garbage and recycling services at that location.
- Electricity: There are two investor-owned utilities that provide electrical service in the City of Portland. Portland General Electric serves most of the city, while Pacific Power serves some customers in Portland as well.
- Natural gas: NW Natural is the natural gas provider in Portland.
Contractor licenses
Construction contractors who work in the City of Portland must be licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. You can check a contractor's license or file a public records request with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
What is not provided in a public records request
The request process only provides records that exist at the time your request is submitted. A public records request is not an appropriate medium for:
- Asking questions of or requesting meetings with staff
- Requesting City employees to research or provide analysis of a topic or issue
- Engaging in policy discussions with City staff or advocating for changes
- Seeking records not yet created, such as notes or documents from an upcoming meeting
Setting up an online account for public records requests
If you used these search methods and can't find what you need, submit a formal public records request. Use the City of Portland's online public request portal. Select the Community and Economic Development service area, then select the Permitting and Development bureau.
- If you're new to the City of Portland's online public records request system, set up a free account.
- If you have an existing account, please log in to the Public Records Request Center.
Submitting a public records request in person or through the mail
If you're having trouble with the City's online records request system, you can still get help.
You can submit your request to Portland Permitting & Development in writing by completing two forms. Both forms are required:
- Fill out and submit the Uniform Public Records Request form.
- Fill out and submit the copyright indemnification form. This is required because building plans and related documentation may be copyrighted, and the City of Portland must be indemnified against the release of copyrighted material.
You can file a request in person at the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. Please check the hours of the Development Services Center before visiting.
You may also submit a written public records request, including the signed copyright indemnification form, through U.S. mail, addressed to:
Public Records Coordinator
Portland Permitting & Development
1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 5000
Portland, OR 97201
The City of Portland will make reasonable accommodations for anyone with a disability. We can also accommodate anyone who needs language translation.
Please note that records requests not submitted online may take longer to fulfill. This is because we must enter those requests into the public records request system manually.
Building permit records
Using the online request portal, you can receive different kinds of documents. From the Building Permit Records section, you can request:
- Plans for building (if available)
- Plans for site development
- Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing)
- Zoning permits
- Permit inspection cards
- Sign permits
- Certificates of occupancy
If you're searching for records of permits issued before June 1, 2012, or after December 2023, you'll need to make a formal request.
How to request building permit records:
- Step 1: Make sure the building records are not already available online. See the top of this page for how to search for records that may be online.
- Step 2: Log in or set up a new online account in the Portland Public Records Request portal. If you have trouble setting up or accessing your online account, go to Step 3.
- Step 3: Request the records online or mail us a uniform public records request form.
- We'll provide all available permit records that are not available on Portland Maps.
- Please note: More records, listed below, might be available upon request. Request any of these records in the online form under "Describe Records Requested". Depending on the complexity of the permit history, there might be a fee. We'll give you an estimate of any additional fees and the chance to agree to them before we fulfill the request.
- Step 4: Pay the minimum records request fee. We require a minimum records request fee of $8 per address. We charge this fee at the time you submit the request. This fee is for the research performed and does not guarantee that we'll find the records.
Additional permit records available upon request include:
- Trade permit applications and inspection forms:
- Electrical Permits from 1983-1994
- Mechanical Permits from 1960-2005
- Sign Permits from 1970s-2005
- Permit folder information:
- Review process comments
- People associated with the project (applicant, contractor, etc.)
- Checksheets (plan check comments)
- Certificates of Occupancy (when available)
- Building Code Appeals
- Information about permits currently under review
Land Use review applications and decisions
The Land Use Services Division keeps these records:
- Land use review
- Pre-application conference
- Early assistance appointment
- Public registry
- Design advice requests
To request completed records from 2018 or 2019, please submit a public records request.
Completed records from 2017 and from 2020 to the present are available on eFiles. For all other years, submit a public records request.
To request active records, contact the planner listed on the land use review notice. You can also find a name under Staff Contact in Permits section in Portland Maps.
You can find the status of a land use application in Portland Maps.
Code enforcement records
The Property Compliance Division maintains records for code enforcement cases, including the following:
- Housing
- Nuisance
- Zoning
- Dangerous Buildings
- Work without a permit
- Noise code violations
- Accessory short-term rentals
- Home occupation permits
- Violation notices
- Other violations of City code
Please submit a public records request if you need information on a closed enforcement case.
For active cases, you can request records by:
- Calling the Property Compliance Help Line at 503-823-2633
- Emailing codec@portlandoregon.gov, or
- Submitting a public records request.
Under Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.355(4)), some information must stay undisclosed. That happens when someone gives us confidential information. For example, if someone files a complaint, we can't tell you about them, unless they first agree.
Cannabis and liquor license records
Liquor licenses
Portland Permitting & Development provides City-level review of liquor license applications. The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is the agency that issues liquor licenses.
You can receive records of the City's license recommendations dating back to 2015. To do that, please make a public records request. See the liquor license applications page for permits that are currently pending.
Cannabis licenses
Since 2015, the Cannabis Program has managed licenses and compliance for cannabis-related businesses. An advisory group gives the program recommendations to support the City's cannabis policies.
For license or compliance records about a business, please submit a public records request.
Septic and on-site wastewater records
Some properties in Multnomah County do not have physical or legal access to a public sewer. In these cases, Portland Permitting & Development keeps records of those septic systems. To request these records, please submit a public records request.
Unreinforced masonry building list
You can get a free copy of the latest unreinforced masonry building list. To do that, please file a public records request.
Other types of public records
Not all kinds of records are discussed on this page. To request records about policy and procedure development, please submit a public records request.
To request these materials:
- Go to the Public Records Request Center
- Select the Community and Economic Development service area, then Permitting and Development
- Under Records Requested, select "Emails, Statistics, and Other Records"
Fees for public records searches
Portland Permitting & Development needs to recover its costs involved in providing public records. This includes the cost of staff searching for and reviewing records.
For building permit records, the fee is $8 per address. Payment of this fee is due before work begins on a request.
If staff believes a request will take more than an hour to fulfill, it will prepare an estimate of your fee. You'll get a copy of the estimate and have an opportunity to revise your request. Paying one half of the estimate authorizes the staff to begin work on your request. Once staff has found and prepared your records, you'll receive a final invoice with the actual costs. You must then submit your final payment before the records are released to you.
PP&D may waive some or all of these fees under any of these conditions:
- The work to locate and review the requested records takes less than one hour of staff time. (This condition doesn't apply to building permit records. For those, there is a minimum $8 fee.)
- You request a fee waiver and can show how fulfilling the request would serve the public interest.
- You request a fee waiver because payment of the fee may pose a financial hardship.
For public interest and financial hardship waivers, you must answer a series of questions. The public information officer will review your request and determine whether to grant it. You will be notified of the fee waiver decision before work begins on your records request.
Additional resources
Administrative rule
Find the City Auditor's administrative rule governing the provision of public records.
Personal safety exemption request
If you feel your name should be withheld from the City's records released to the public due to concerns about your personal safety, please complete a personal safety exemption request form. The Office of the City Attorney will review the information submitted and determine whether it may remove your name, address and/or phone number from City records.
The City is only permitted to withhold an individual's contact information if the person meets the criteria established in Oregon law (ORS 192.368) by showing that the release of the information would put a person in danger. If the City Attorney approves the removal of your name or contact information from City records, Portland Permitting & Development and other bureaus will be instructed by the City Attorney to remove that information.