A lot confirmation is an administrative review that verifies one or more lots (including lot remnants and adjusted lots), lots of record, or combinations thereof, have legal status as a property that is eligible for development under the zoning code. A lot confirmation is often undertaken to confirm lots or lots of record that have previously been combined for tax purposes.
The review also ensures that existing development remains in conformance or does not move further out of conformance with Title 33 development standards, and that all previous land use conditions of approval are met. Lot confirmations may be combined with a Property Line Adjustment to re-establish a historic lot line then move it.
Application Requirements
Zoning Code Section 33.676.200
The application for a Lot Confirmation must contain the following:
- Lot Confirmation Request Form - completed and signed by the applicant and all property owners.
- Documentation that establishes when and how the lot, lot of record, or combinations thereof were created. This may include copies of recorded plats, historic deeds, or other documentation that provides evidence of the creation and chain of ownership of the property.
- A site plan, drawn to scale, with the following information:
- The location of existing lot or property lines;
- The boundaries of the re-established lot, lot of record, or combinations thereof;
- All development on the site including driveways and parking areas;
- The location of utilities and services; and
- The location and dimensions of existing curb cuts abutting the site.
- If existing buildings will remain on the site, a supplemental survey signed and stamped by a registered land surveyor with the following information:
- Structures remaining and the distances between the structures and the lot line(s) being confirmed, and
- Utilities and services.
Also:
- A written narrative explaining how the regulations and standards of Portland City Code Chapter 33.676 are met
- Fees: We will contact you about payment of fees once we review your submission. Search the Land Use Services fee schedule for "lot confirmation" under "Other Land Use Services" to view current fees:
Additional information may be requested during the review.
Visit Planning Services for instructions on how to submit your application.
Standards
Zoning Code Section 33.676.300
A Lot Confirmation application must address the standards located in 33.676.300. In general, lots, lots of record or combinations thereof to be confirmed must meet minimum lot dimension standards, conditions of previous land use reviews must be met, and existing development must remain in conformance with zoning code standards. Additional standards and requirements may apply on a site-specific basis. Visit the Zoning Code website for additional code chapters.
Review Process
Lot confirmations are reviewed through an administrative procedure that generally takes between six to eight weeks to complete. The Water Bureau and Bureau of Environmental Services review Lot Confirmations for impacts on water, sanitary sewer and stormwater management services, but only make informational comments about potential future development issues.
A Lot Confirmation approval must be submitted to the appropriate county assessment and taxation office within 90 days of the City’s decision. The County is responsible for creating separate tax identification numbers for each confirmed lot.