Portland building permits
Building permits in Portland are issued by the Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D)1. You can apply and request inspections online through devhub.portlandoregon.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Portland
- Portland building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Portland
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Portland
- Building without a permit in Portland
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Oregon rules that also apply in Portland
- Sources
Building department contacts
Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D)1
Building permits
- Website
- portland.gov1
- Apply online
- devhub.portlandoregon.gov2
- Phone
- (503) 823-73001
- Address
- 1900 SW Fourth Avenue, First floor lobby, Portland, OR 972011
- Hours
- Phone: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.1
- Inspections
- 503-823-7000 (inspection phone line)3
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: portlandmaps.com4.
Building codes in force in Portland
These are the model codes Portland enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Oregon building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) | The Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) as adopted by OAR 918-480-0005 and amended by OAR 918-480-0010.5 | 20246 | 6 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | The Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) as adopted by OAR 918-460-0010 and amended by OAR 918-460-0015.5 | 20247 | 8 |
| Energy code, commercial | The Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC) as adopted by OAR 918-460-0500.5 | 20228 | 8 |
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | The Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC) as adopted by OAR 918-750-0110 and amended by 918-750-0115.5 | 20249 | 9 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | The Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC) as adopted by OAR 918-305-0100 and amended by 918-305-01055 | 202610 | 10 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | The Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC) as adopted by OAR 918-440-0010 and amended by OAR 918-440-0012.5 | 202411 | 11 |
Adopted by: Portland City Code 24.10.040 (Ordinances 192077 and 192117)5.
Transition rules. IRC: Phase-in Oct. 1, 2026 to April 1, 2027: 2023 ORSC or 2026 ORSC may be used (except Chapter 1)6. IBC and IMC: Six-month phase-in; mandatory April 1, 2026 (2022 or 2025 codes allowed during phase-in)7. Energy code (commercial): Six-month phase-in; mandatory July 1, 20258.
Portland building permit fees
Fees come from the Building and Other Permits Fee Schedule for the City of Portland, effective July 10, 2026 (Exhibit A to Ordinance 192193)12.
How valuation is set. ICC Building Valuation Data Table for new construction and additions12.
Each line is worded as in Portland’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee: $1 - $500 | Based on project valuation | $1 - $500 Minimum Fee $167.0012 |
| Building Permit Fee: $501 - $2,000 | Based on project valuation | $501 - $2,000 Fee for the first $500 $167.0012 |
| Building Permit Fee: For each additional $100 or fraction thereof up to and including $2,000 | Based on project valuation | For each additional $100 or fraction thereof up to and including $2,000 $3.5912 |
| Building Permit Fee: $2,001 - $25,000 | Based on project valuation | $2,001 - $25,000 Fee for the first $2,000 $220.8512 |
| Building Permit Fee: For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $25,000 | Based on project valuation | For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $25,000 $13.9112 |
| Building Permit Fee: $25,001 - $50,000 | Based on project valuation | $25,001 - $50,000 Fee for the first $25,000 $540.7812 |
| Building Permit Fee: For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $50,000 | Based on project valuation | For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $50,000 $10.2612 |
| Building Permit Fee: $50,001 - $100,000 | Based on project valuation | $50,001 - $100,000 Fee for the first $50,000 $797.2812 |
| Building Permit Fee: For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $100,000 | Based on project valuation | For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $100,000 $6.8112 |
| Building Permit Fee: $100,001 and up | Based on project valuation | $100,001 and up Fee for the first $100,000 $1,137.7812 |
| Building Permit Fee: $100,001 and up, each additional $1,000 | Based on project valuation | For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof $5.6312 |
| Plan Review/Process Fee | Percent of the permit fee | For the original submittal - 65% of the building permit fee, maximum of 2 allowable checksheets12 |
| Development Services Fee - Residential: minimum | Minimum fee | $1 - $500 Minimum Fee $21.1912 |
| Demolition/Deconstruction Fee: residential with basement | Flat fee | Residential - with basement $1,352.0012 |
| Demolition/Deconstruction Fee: residential without basement | Flat fee | Residential - without basement $1,352.0012 |
| Inspections Outside of Normal Business Hours: hourly rate | After-hours inspection | Hourly Rate - per hour or fraction of an hour $320.0012 |
| Reinspection Fee | Re-inspection | Reinspection Fee - fee charged per inspection $167.0012 |
| Permit Reactivation Processing Fee | – | The renewal fee shall be one half the amount required for a new permit12 |
| Permit Reactivation Processing Fee: minimum | Minimum fee | Minimum Fee $228.0012 |
| Permit Extension/Completion Processing Fee | Minimum fee | Fee charged per hour or fraction of an hour with a minimum of 1 hour $228.0012 |
| State of Oregon surcharge | State surcharge | Surcharge. For all building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits, a 12% surcharge is applied by the State of Oregon.13 |
How to get a building permit in Portland
- Research permit requirements3
- Prepare application materials3
- Apply online through DevHub3
- Pay intake fees so review can start3
- Review: intake, technical review, pre-issuance3
- Pay permit fees3
- Schedule inspections online or by phone3
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Permit expires if no inspection is approved within 180 days after permit issuance5
- Extensions
- Each approved inspection automatically extends the permit 180 days5
Inspections in Portland
Portland’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Pre-construction inspections: tree preservation, erosion control, demolition3
- Footing and setback inspections14
- Foundation inspection14
- Rough-in inspection, all systems14
- Structural frame inspection14
- Insulation and vapor barrier inspection14
Building without a permit in Portland
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation fee | Commencement of work before obtaining a permit12 | Hourly Rate - per hour or fraction of an hour $167.0012 |
| Civil penalty Portland City Code 3.30.040 D.3 | Contractor or person responsible for carrying out the work15 | Fine of up to $1,000 for each citation issued15 |
| Stop-work order Portland City Code 3.30.080; 24.10.060 C | Work commenced without a required permit15 | Stop Work Order Penalty $763.0016 |
| Civil penalty Portland City Code 3.30.040 E | Property where the 30-day response period after a notice of violation has passed15 | 1 - 2 Units - per month $394.0016 |
| Lien or recorded notice Portland City Code 3.30.040 E.6 | Assessed noncompliance fees and penalties, with a 10 percent charge added15 | Total recorded as a lien in the Docket of City Liens15 |
| Permit revoked Portland City Code 24.10.070 F.3 | Permit issued in error, on incorrect information, or in violation of code5 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes3
- Homeowner electrical work
- Conditional17
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes18
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Must be the recorded property owner, not an LLC17
- Sale or rental limits
- Not planning on selling or renting within 6 months (electrical)3
- Affidavit or declaration
- Owner Doing Work Form3
Oregon's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Oregon permit guide.
Oregon rules that also apply in Portland
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Oregon
- Contractor licensing in Oregon
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Oregon
- Private plan review and inspections in Oregon
Sources
- Permitting & DevelopmentCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Development Hub PDXCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Start Guide: How to get a building permitCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Find public records with Permitting & DevelopmentCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Chapter 24.10 Administration and Enforcement (Portland City Code)City of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentEffective November 21, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
- Residential Structures Code ProgramOregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Commercial Structures Code ProgramOregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Adopted codes onlineOregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing Code ProgramOregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Electrical Code ProgramOregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Mechanical Code ProgramOregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Exhibit A, Building and Other Permits Fee Schedule, Effective Date: July 10, 2026 (Ordinance 192193)City of Portland, Portland Permitting & Development (Council Ordinance 192193, City eFiles record)Effective July 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Fee Schedules: Building Permit Costs, Trade Permit Costs and Other PP&D FeesCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentEffective July 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Permit InspectionsCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Chapter 3.30 Portland Permitting & Development (Portland City Code)City of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Exhibit D, Enforcement Fee and Penalty Schedule, Effective Date: July 10, 2026 (Ordinance 192193)City of Portland, Portland Permitting & Development (Council Ordinance 192193, City eFiles record)Effective July 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Electrical PermitsCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Residential Plumbing PermitsCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 8, 2026