Changing a commercial space > Prepare — Intro
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Changing a commercial space > Prepare
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Are you moving into a commercial space, making alterations, or just changing how you'll use it? You'll need a building permit. Depending on your project, you may also need trade permits. Use the navigation menu to find out more about each step.
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Prepare your application materials
Learn what you need to prepare the right materials for your application. We have rules for how we can accept these materials, so be sure to read through this section before you submit.
There are three major steps when preparing to apply for your permit:
Fill out your forms.
Different projects will need different forms, and this section provides details on how to complete them.
Learn about filling out your forms.
Create detailed plans.
You coordinate with any contractors to draw plans that follow our rules. This section covers the different kinds of plans that projects can have.
Get details on what to include in your plans.
Prepare your files.
We have important guidelines for how to send your files to us. Your project will move more quickly if your files follow the instructions from this section.
See our instructions for preparing your files.
As you move through this process, take a moment to review the four systems you might interact with. We will email you with details on if you should use DevHub or ProjectDox for uploading your plans.
All of these systems are available 24 hours a day.
Overview of different permitting tools
System
What you can do
DevHub
- Submit your permit application
- Upload site plans, floor plans, and drawings
- Submit revised plans
- Download approved plans
- Pay your fees
- Schedule/cancel inspections
- Check project status
- Get inspection results
ProjectDox
- Get comments on your plans from City staff
- Upload site plans, floor plans, and drawings
- (when requested)
PortlandMaps
- Research your property
- Find permit history
- Find zoning information
- View inspection schedules
- Check permit status
- Find permitting staff contact information
- View inspection results
Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
- Schedule/cancel inspections
- Get inspection results