FIR Program: Estimating fees

Information

When you get a Field Issuance Remodel (FIR) building permit, there are some common fees you can expect. The ones listed here are typical. Your total cost could be higher if your project needs extra permits, reviews, or inspections based on its details and location.

Field Issuance Remodel Program – Base fees

Applies to residential projects in the FIR Program, including:
- Alterations
- Additions
- New accessory structures
Services include:
- Pre-construction meetings
- Research
- Process management
- Plan review
- Inspections
- Technical assistance
Use the Building Permit Fee Schedule.
- Fees relevant to the FIR Program are listed on page 5 of the document.
  - Under the heading, Field Issuance Remodel Program.
- All FIR services, including plan review, research, consultations, pre-construction meetings, etc., are charged per hour or a fraction of an hour.
- A one-hour minimum charge applies to all site visits. This time includes travel, billed portal to portal.
- Inspections are charged at the same hourly rate.
- An additional 12% state surcharge is added to inspections only.
How to pay:
- FIR participants will receive a monthly itemized billing invoice in the mail (not emailed) for each project.
- The terms of billing are net due upon receipt of the invoice and past due after 30 days.
- FIR invoices may be paid online using our Online Payment Portal.
- If mailing your payment, please include the payment coupon at the bottom of your invoice to ensure payment is correctly applied to your account.

Additional plan review fees that may apply

Planning & Zoning (Land Use Services, LUS)

Applies to residential sites or projects that:
- Result in a change to the building height.
- Are within Conservation and Historic Districts. (Residential building permits must be reviewed for compliance with the Land Use decision.)
- Have private trees that require protection.
- Include an addition that is 250 square feet or more.
Services include plan review for compliance with Title 33 Planning and Zoning Code.
Use the Land Use Services Fee Schedule.
- Fees relevant to the FIR Program are on page 3 of the document.
  - Listed as Plan Check.
- Planning & Zoning fees are calculated based on project valuation.
Planning & Zoning fees are listed on your invoice as “LUS-FIR.”
Fees are invoiced monthly and are mailed to the applicant on file.

Site Development

Applies to:
- Residential sites with development involving ground-disturbing activity, on simple or complex sites.
- Residential sites where a cesspool or septic tank was not decommissioned.
  - Decommissioning requires a separate permit, which must be issued before the Site Development approval of the Residential (FIR) permit.
Services include plan review and may include inspections for site conditions.
Use the Site Development Fee Schedule.
- Fees relevant to the FIR Program for simple or complex sites are on page 1 of the document.
  - Under the heading Residential Fees, subheading Additions, alterations, garages, and carports and Decks fences, and demolitions.
Fees are invoiced monthly and are mailed to the applicant on file.

Environmental Review

Applies to residential sites with development that increases impervious area 1000 square feet or more.
Services include plan review and inspections for site conditions.
Use the Environmental Review Fee Schedule.
- Fees relevant to the FIR Program are on page 1 of the document.
  - Listed as One or Two Family Residential Structures.
Fees are invoiced monthly and are mailed to the applicant on file.

Urban Forestry Review

Applies to:
- Street, city, and heritage tree preservation, protection, or mitigation.
- Street tree planting or removal.
Site plan review is required for any remodel project with a valuation of $25,000 or greater.
Services include plan review and site visits or inspections when:
- Street, city, or heritage trees are proposed for removal or are impacted by the development.
- If tree planting cannot be determined without a field visit.
- Any other cases where a field visit is needed to determine requirements.
Use the Urban Forestry Review Fee Schedule.
- Fees relevant to the FIR Program appear under the heading Building Permits listed as Residential Remodel ≥ $25,000 valuation.
Fees are invoiced monthly and are mailed to the applicant on file.

Water

Applies to:
- Residential sites with development where the water meter size is increased to accommodate more plumbing fixtures.
- Any project with 4 or more water closets will need to be reviewed by the Water Bureau.
Services include plan review and inspections for site conditions.
Fees cover the cost of the permit review process.
Use the Water Review Fee Schedule.
- Plan Review fees relevant to the FIR Program are listed as Single family/Duplex.
Water Plan Review fees are not invoiced monthly. The applicant on file will get an email when Water Plan Review fees are due.
- The email will disclose how the fee was calculated.
- To pay, visit the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Ave or call the PP&D Make Payments by Phone cashier at 503-823-5161.
Water plan review fees MUST be paid prior to permit issuance.

Transportation

Applies to proposed changes to the residence’s approach within the right-of-way, typically the driveway or sidewalk.
Services include Transportation plan review.
Use the Transportation Review Fee Schedule.
- Plan Review fees relevant to FIR Program permits appear on page 4 under the heading Miscellaneous Permits, Fees and Assessments and subheading Building Plan Review Fees – Residential.
Transportation will notify you if you need to apply for additional permits for a new approach, such as a Minor Improvement or a Public Works permit depending on the scope of work of your project.

System Development Charges (SDCs)

These fees are not part of your invoice. If SDCs apply to your project, you (the applicant) will get an email when payment is due.

All SDCs must be paid before we can issue your permit. Learn more about SDCs.

Parks System Development Charges

Applies to additions that are 800 square feet or more.
Parks Systems Development Charges are one-time fees assessed on new development to provide additional parks, trails, natural areas, and recreation facilities to accommodate growth.
Use the Parks SDC Fee Schedule.
Parks SDCs are not invoiced monthly. The applicant on file will get an email when Parks SDCs are due.
- The email will disclose how the fee was calculated.
- To pay, visit the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Ave or call the PP&D Make Payments by Phone cashier at 503-823-5161.
SDCs must be paid before permit issuance.

Water System Development Charges

Applies to:
- Residential sites with development where the water meter size is increased to accommodate more plumbing fixtures.
- Any project with 4 or more water closets will need to be reviewed by the Water Bureau.
Services include installing water meters.
Charges cover the cost of water service installations.
Use the Portland Water Bureau fee schedule.
- Water SDCs are on page 4 under System Development Charges by Meter Size.
To estimate systems development water meter installation fees use the Residential Meter Request Form.
Water SDCs are not invoiced monthly. The applicant on file will get an email when Water Plan Review and Water Upsizing are due.
- The email will disclose how the fee was calculated.
- To pay, visit the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Ave or call the PP&D Make Payments by Phone cashier at 503-823-5161.
SDCs must be paid before permit issuance.

Transportation (PBOT) System Development Charges

Applies to additions that are 800 square feet or more.
Transportation Systems Development Charges (TSDCs) are one-time fees assessed on new development to cover the cost for transportation infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks which are needed to serve new development.
Use the Transportation System Development Charges (TSDCs).
Transportation SDCs are not invoiced monthly. The applicant on file will get an email when TSDCs are due.
- The email will disclose how the fee was calculated.
- To pay, visit the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Ave or call the PP&D Make Payments by Phone cashier at 503-823-5161.
SDCs must be paid before permit issuance.

Environmental Services System Development Charges

Applies to residential additions or alterations that increase the impact on sewer or stormwater systems.
- Some additions or alterations are exempt if they do not add new dwelling units.
- Note: You cannot get a permit through the FIR program for new single-family homes or new ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units).
Environmental Services System Development Charges help pay for building and upgrading sewer and stormwater systems so they can handle new development. This prevents current ratepayers from having to cover the full cost.
Use the Environmental Services System Development Charges.
Environmental Services SDCs are not invoiced monthly. The applicant on file will get an email when SDCs are due.
- The email will disclose how the fee was calculated.
- To pay, visit the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Ave or call the PP&D Make Payments by Phone cashier at 503-823-5161.
SDCs must be paid before permit issuance.

Taxes

Metro Excise Tax

Applies to residential construction permits where the project valuation is $100,000 or more.
Metro Excise Taxes are one-time fees assessed on development to fund land use planning and to make land ready for development throughout cities and counties in the Metro region.
The tax is assessed at 0.12 percent of the valuation.
Metro Excise Taxes are invoiced one-time only and mailed to the applicant on file.
Learn more about the Metro Excise Tax.

School Construction Excise Tax (CET)

Applies to residential construction permits for a new structure or an addition of square footage to an existing structure.
School Construction Excise Taxes are one-time fees assessed on development to help Oregon school districts pay for a portion of the cost of new or expanded school facilities.
Get the rates per square foot, and for more information on School CETs.
- The tax is assessed per square foot on structures or portions of structures intended for residential or nonresidential use.
School Excise Taxes are invoiced one-time only and mailed to the applicant on file.