Background
For September 2022 – December 2023 Healthy Businesses permits, PBOT will be charging fees for the use of the public sidewalk or street. This important change ensures that PBOT can continue providing technical assistance to permittees – and it reflects the fact that our public streets are a valuable part of the shared fabric of the city. However, fees will be kept low for the next year thanks to Council-directed funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This will give permittees time to transition to the new cost structure.
Fee table
You can estimate your application and permit fees using this table:
| Fee type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $150 |
| Permit fee for sidewalk use | $6 per linear foot |
| Permit fee for parking use | $500 per parking space |
| Permit fee for full or partial street use | $3.13 per square foot |
Fees for the program are also listed on page 5 of the Transportation Fee Schedule Exhibit C under the name "Street Seats."
Permit fees are not final until a Healthy Businesses inspector has measured your site.
Examples
Some examples of common situations:
- For 20 linear feet of sidewalk space, the total fee for the upcoming 16-month permit cycle is $270, $6 per linear foot plus a $150 application fee.
- For two parking spaces, the total fee for the upcoming 16-month permit cycle is $1150. Each parking space has a $500 permit fee, and there is an application fee of $150.
For full or partial street use, you will be charged for the actual square footage used, not including emergency lanes, areas left open for driveways, or areas containing required traffic control devices. If you need help estimating the permit fee for your full or partial street permit, please contact us.
If you are applying for both sidewalk and street space use at the same time, you will only be charged a single $150 application fee.
How to pay
Applications will not be reviewed until the application fee is received. A Healthy Businesses team member will send you information about how to pay the application and permit fees after you apply. Please do not send us a check.
Refund policy
Application fees
Application fees are not refundable under any circumstances.
Permit fees
Permit fees are generally not refundable. However, in rare circumstances, staff may need to reduce or revoke a permit based on active field conditions. In those cases, all effort will be made to minimize impacts on businesses, and so, if necessary, a prorated refund of the permit fee will be issued.
If PBOT determines that your Healthy Businesses permit is eligible for a refund, a Healthy Businesses team member will notify you. The notification will include a date by which the site must be vacated. To initiate the refund process, submit your request to PBOTBusinessToolkit@portlandoregon.gov after you have vacated the site. PBOT will confirm that the site is vacant before issuing the refund.
All refund payments will be made to the permit holder only, at the address provided on the permit application.
Refunds will be processed within 60 business days of the date the permit holder notifies PBOT that the site is vacant.