Cut through the red tape. Everything you need to know about getting a building permit in Portland — fees, timelines, required documents, and how to avoid the most common rejections.
STEP 1 — DO I NEED A PERMIT?
Not every project requires a permit. Here's what you need to know for common project types.
Permits for residential construction and inspections
Auto-fill your residential permits permit →STEP 2 — HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Fees in Portland are based on project valuation, type, and square footage. These are the current standard fees.
| Category | Fee Type | Amount | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | New housing units | Exempt | per unit | Temporary exemption of system development charges (SDC) for new housing units beginning August 2025 |
STEP 3 — HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
From application to final inspection — here's what to expect at each stage in Portland.
Timeline data coming soon.
STEP 4 — WHAT DO I NEED TO SUBMIT?
Gather these documents before applying to avoid delays. Required items are marked with ✓.
Document list coming soon.
AVOID THESE PITFALLS
Learn from the most common mistakes that cause delays and rejections — so yours doesn't end up on this list.
Customers have received phishing messages posing as City officials seeking wire transfers for land use reviews
CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS
What credentials must your contractor have in Portland?
Contractor requirements coming soon.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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