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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Portland
Permits are required for most new construction and regulated alterations; Portland also warns that additional zoning, demolition, site development, tree, and utility permits may be needed.
Oregon residential permit exemptions form the baseline for low-risk work, but Portland applicants must separately confirm zoning, environmental, street, tree, and utility permit triggers even when a building permit is not required
- Exempt Oregon residential permit exemptions form the baseline for low-risk work, but Portland applicants must separately confirm zoning, environmental, street, tree, and utility permit triggers even when a building permit is not required
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Structural plans
- Trade plans where applicable
- Project-specific items such as geotechnical reports or surveyed property line information
- Building code
- State and city codes and rules both apply; Portland administers current Oregon specialty codes plus local zoning and development regulations.
- Permit validity
- Portland states permits expire 180 days after the Under Review date if inspection approval is not obtained; extensions or reactivation can be requested.
- Owner-builder
- Owners of single-family homes can submit owner-doing-work forms and may sign trade permit applications when they meet city and state conditions.
- Contractor requirements
- Portland requires licensed contractors and provides contractor license requirement guidance; Oregon licensing still applies.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Portland posts live permit timelines and review timeframes rather than a fixed estimate; timeline page is updated weekly.
- 01 Research the property in PortlandMaps for zoning, utilities, flood hazards, steep slopes, permits, and prior land use decisions.
- 02 Prepare the application, valuation, plans, and supporting documents for the permit type.
- 03 Submit online through DevHub for many permit types, or use the city-directed submission path for permit types that still require email or other intake.
- 04 Pay intake fees, respond to checksheets during multi-phase review, and clear pre-issuance.
- 05 Pay issuance fees, print the permit and approved plans, post the inspection card, and complete required pre-construction and progress inspections through final.
Typical processing time: Portland posts live permit timelines and review timeframes rather than a fixed estimate; timeline page is updated weekly.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Portland building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
See current Portland fee schedule
02
Plan check fee
Included in current fee schedule and may vary by permit category.
03
Permit fee formula
Primarily valuation-based for building permit fees, with separate fee tables, intake fees, SDCs, school excise tax, affordable housing CET, and other review fees depending on the project.
04
Reinspection fee
Fee schedule includes investigation fees for work started without permits and additional inspection-related charges.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- DevHub portal (online)
- 503-823-7300 or IVR at 503-823-7000 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Same-day reinspection requests through IVR should wait until after 5:00 p.m.
- Inspection hours
- Walk-in support Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; inquiry line Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Pre-construction items such as tree preservation, erosion control, and demolition as applicable, then structural/trade progress inspections and finals.
Remote Video Re-inspection available for qualifying residential cases.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Portland permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Portland, OR? ▸
Permits are required for most new construction and regulated alterations; Portland also warns that additional zoning, demolition, site development, tree, and utility permits may be needed.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Portland, OR? ▸
Building permit fees in Portland, OR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is See current Portland fee schedule. Fees are calculated as: Primarily valuation-based for building permit fees, with separate fee tables, intake fees, SDCs, school excise tax, affordable housing CET, and other review fees depending on the project.. Plan check fee: Included in current fee schedule and may vary by permit category..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Portland, OR? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Portland, OR, follow these steps: 1. Research the property in PortlandMaps for zoning, utilities, flood hazards, steep slopes, permits, and prior land use decisions. 2. Prepare the application, valuation, plans, and supporting documents for the permit type. 3. Submit online through DevHub for many permit types, or use the city-directed submission path for permit types that still require email or other intake. 4. Pay intake fees, respond to checksheets during multi-phase review, and clear pre-issuance. 5. Pay issuance fees, print the permit and approved plans, post the inspection card, and complete required pre-construction and progress inspections through final.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Portland, OR? ▸
Building permit processing times in Portland, OR typically run Portland posts live permit timelines and review timeframes rather than a fixed estimate; timeline page is updated weekly.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Portland, OR? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Portland, OR. The following work is generally exempt: Oregon residential permit exemptions form the baseline for low-risk work, but Portland applicants must separately confirm zoning, environmental, street, tree, and utility permit triggers even when a building permit is not required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Portland, OR? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Portland, OR via: DevHub portal, 503-823-7300 or IVR at 503-823-7000. Same-day reinspection requests through IVR should wait until after 5:00 p.m..
last verified April 2026
source Portland Permitting & Development ↗
entry id permits/oregon/clackamas/portland
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Portland Permitting & Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.