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Attic, basement, or garage conversion

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Get information on permits and inspections needed to convert an attic, basement, or garage. Get all forms you need and apply for a permit online. Find the code guide and check your home's permit history before you add a room or bedroom.
Attic living space with beige sectional and TV on wooden stand.
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Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) is happy to work with you on your project. This page gives you information on what's required with your permit application. You can also schedule an appointment to discuss your conversion project.

You'll need a building permit for this project 

You need to get a building permit when you convert an attic, basement, or garage to a living space (also called a habitable space). Your project might also need electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits. If you're increasing the size of a structure, see Residential Additions


Learn about ADU permits 

If you plan to use the converted space as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), visit the ADU permit page.


What you need for a completed conversion application 

To begin the permitting process for your conversion project, you'll need three things:

  • A completed building permit application
  • A site plan
  • Architectural plans

Please carefully read the submittal requirements below. They explain what you must include in a completed application. You can also find links to other forms like the building permit application.

Review the submittal requirements to learn more about what's required with your application:

Review the plan drawings requirements:

  • Drawings, drawn to scale, to verify compliance with code.
  • Drawings may be handwritten or drawn if they're clear and legible. Text or notes need to be in print handwriting.
  • Minimum drawing size: 11x17. All required information needs to be clear and legible. Minimum printed text is to be 3/32” or the equivalent 12-point font.
  • Applicants can't use professional drawings without the permission of the professional. For example, you can't use an architect’s stamped plan without their permission.

Depending on the scope of work, you may also need structural calculations.

Here's an example of a floor plan for converting a basement into living space. It shows most of the information you need for an average conversion:

Your project might qualify as a Major Residential Alteration and Addition (MRAA). If so, there are more requirements. These include a delay period and notification to neighbors and neighborhood associations. See the MRAA webpage for more detail on these requirements.

A combination permit allows you to request all inspections at once. You can also pay for all the permits at one time. If you're applying for a combination permit, submit these trade permit applications:

Each project is unique, so we might need to ask you for more information.


Who can do the work

Contractors must have a license to work in Oregon. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) issues licenses to contractors. The permit application and their company materials must list the license number. Need help finding a contractor? The CCB website has good tips on how to search for one. Plumbing and electrical contractors have additional license requirements.

If you are a homeowner doing the work yourself, then you can sign the trade permit applications. You can do the electrical work only if you own and occupy the home and are not selling or renting within six months. If you're doing the work yourself, you must fill out and submit this form:


Building permit application, forms, and information for a residential conversion to living space

The following items are part of the application. This is everything you might need when applying for a permit to convert an attic, basement, or garage. Since every project is unique, we might need to ask you for more information. 

If you aren't sure what you need, contact us at 503-823-7300. You can also read our step-by-step guide for completing a building permit application

Conversion to living space permit forms and information include: 


Research your property and what you need to convert your attic, basement or garage

Codes and rules

We review permit applications under several city and state codes, including:

Other codes may apply based on the scope of work. See our codes, rules, and guides for more information.

Unfinished areas converted to living space must conform to current code. PP&D has set alternative standards for conversion projects explained in this brochure: 

The Habitable Spaces Code Guide explains the details of the alternative code requirements.

How to check the permit history for a house 

Depending on the age of your house, we may have inspection cards or plans that show its permit history. It's important to verify permit records and not rely on tax information from the county.

If you have a finished attic or basement that wasn't permitted, it will need to become permitted. For a living space to be considered legal, you'll need to apply for the same permits as if the work wasn't already done. 

Some records are available online. See more about finding public records.

Evaluating existing space

Unfinished areas may not meet current building code requirements for living space. This may be because of issues related to: 

  • Ceiling height
  • Stairs
  • Emergency egress or emergency exit windows
  • Insulation and ventilation

These conditions could make your conversion project expensive, difficult, or even impossible. PP&D allows special standards for existing situations. 

The Habitable Spaces Code Guide explains the details of the alternative code requirements.

Adding a bathroom to an unfinished basement

You can add a bathroom to a basement and leave the basement unfinished. In this case, the basement doesn't have to comply with all conversion standards. The ceiling height in the bathroom must follow the guidelines of this brochure:

For projects like this, there are a few things to keep in mind from the brochure. First, the stairs to the basement will need to meet our dimensional requirements. This includes having enough headroom and an acceptable slope. Secondly, the path from the stairs to the bathroom will need to meet our size requirements.

If you're only adding a bathroom, you don't need to address these common basement issues:

  • Exterior wall insulation
  • Storm windows
  • Egress windows

In this case, you may be able to use the simple bathroom permit process.

Add sinks or add a kitchen

Kitchen that is not closed off from the main kitchen

Some projects will add a kitchen that's not closed off from the main kitchen. In that case, it might be an "accessory kitchen." 

Before we issue the permit, we need you to sign an agreement about the accessory kitchen. That agreement, called a covenant, includes certain restrictions about the kitchen. Basically, the new kitchen can't be part of a new dwelling without the right permits.

To find out if your project qualifies, see the official determination for accessory kitchens in single-family dwellings.

Non-accessory kitchen and a bathroom

If your project has both a non-accessory kitchen and a bathroom, it may be an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). ADUs are independent of the rest of the dwelling, and they have their own set of permits.

Building code requirements have a specific definition of a “Dwelling Unit.” You can find that definition here at item U.

Basically, a dwelling unit provides independent living facilities for at least one person. The unit allows someone to live, sleep, eat, cook, and have sanitation.

The permit requirements for an ADU are different. See our ADU page for more information. 

Attic conversion or dormer additions: adding a bedroom or extra room

Converting your attic might mean raising the roof. If so, the zoning code height regulations may affect your project.

If you're adding dormers or another story, see the dormer or second story addition for requirements.

Get a building permit and trade permits (combination permits)

You can buy a "Residential Combination" permit package. This allows you to request all inspections using one IVR number, which you get when you apply for a permit. You can also pay for all the permits at one time.

If you choose this package, you'll need to submit any trade permit applications with your plans. The trade permits are mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits. Any subcontractors doing trade work must sign their trade permit applications.

Engineering calculations for attic conversion

When the project changes the structural elements, you'll need to submit engineering calculations. These must show continuity of the load path from your project area all the way to the foundation.

You must learn if the attic floor is strong enough to hold the weight of people and furniture. It's common for the beam in the basement to become overstressed in an attic conversion. For this reason, you must resolve this situation as part of the permit application. For more information, see the structural engineering page.

Floodplains

Structures in floodplains have restrictions that can limit your ability to make improvements. The work may require retrofitting your house to be flood-resistant. Flood plain information is available on Portland Maps Flood Hazard gallery.

If the property is in a flood plain, consult with us in the early stages of your project. See Site Development Permits for more information.

Converting a garage

Here are a few important things to consider when converting a garage.

  • Parking: Off-street parking is not required in the City of Portland. When converting a garage, it's fairly common to remove a parking space and keep the driveway. If that's the case, you'll need to show how you'll provide a parking space outside of required setback areas. Parking in your driveway alone may not meet the location requirement.
  • Structural: A detached garage may not be up to building code standards for living space. You will need to upgrade any structural deficiencies. Some garages may not have needed a permit because of an exemption due to use and size. In this case, the garage will need to have all structural elements reviewed as part of the conversion.
  • Fire separation: Any outside wall within three feet of a property line will need fire-rated construction. This doesn't apply in the case of a property line along a public right of way. There may also be limitations on the allowed eave or rake projections from that wall.
  • (Some alternatives are allowable under the Fire Rated Walls and Projections Code Guide.)
  • Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will need to review your project if you're:
    • Creating a driveway
    • Removing a driveway
    • Doing any work in the public right-of-way
    • Additionally, a right-of-way permit is required for any work in the public right-of-way. Learn more about driveway requirements and call 503-823-7002 (option 3) for more information.
  • Permitting fees, which we base on:
    • Type of permit
    • Work proposed
    • Valuation of the work
    • Staff that needs to review the work

Ready to get a permit?

See our guide on how to get a permit.


Still need help? Schedule a free 15-minute appointment 

This is an optional step. If you have questions, we're here for you. Schedule a free 15-minute appointment with any of these reviewers:

  • Meet with a City Planner to receive information about planning, zoning, and tree code.
  • Meet with a Building Code and Engineering Reviewer. They can help with building code and engineering requirements.
  • Meet with a Permit Technician. They can help with the permit process or application requirements.
  • Meet with a Water expert. They can help you find out if your project requires you to increase the size of your existing water meter. 

If you need help, these are the experts we recommend. Not all review groups are listed, but they will help get you started. 

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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Requests for Inspection

Permitting & Development
phone number503-823-7000Automated Line - Requires an IVR or permit number
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Residential Inspections

Permitting & Development
phone number503-823-7388Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
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fax number503-823-7693
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