Changes are coming to the solar permit application system in Development Hub PDX, the City of Portland’s online permitting system. These changes are designed to streamline the application process and make it easier to obtain a permit to install solar panels on a home or business.
Last winter the Bureau of Development Services held a series of customer workshops to identify opportunities for improvements. Many of the enhancements to the solar permitting process in Development Hub PDX are informed by that customer feedback.
Starting no later than 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, the online solar permit application will be updated. In the new application experience, customers will be guided through a few initial questions that will help direct the rest of the application process. The application process will request information and documents specific to the type of solar project proposed (engineered or prescriptive), reducing the number of uploads needed for most applications.
A demonstration of the new features will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Staff from the Bureau of Development Services will be available to answer questions during the demonstration, which will be recorded and made available for viewing afterward.