TL;DR (generated, confidence: high)

Portland requires building permits for new commercial/multifamily construction, alterations to existing structures (additions, wall moves, window replacements, seismic upgrades, tenant improvements), and specialized activities (child care, noise, signs, public right-of-way work).

Key points:

New commercial buildings and multifamily buildings (3+ units) require building permits (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)
Alterations requiring building permits include: additions, wall moves, windows/doors, seismic upgrades, tenant improvements, disabled access upgrades, siding, and storage shelving (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)
Change of occupancy requires a building permit (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)
Home Occupation Type A (no customers/employees) requires no permit; Type B (1 employee, up to 15 customers/day) requires Home Occupation Permit (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)
Child care and daycare (both commercial and home-based) require permits; contact Land Use to determine if Land Use Review required (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)
Work in public right-of-way requires permit or code compliance; contact Transportation (PBOT) (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)
Noise permits required if construction exceeds allowed decibels or occurs outside standard construction hours (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)
Sign permits required for private property signs and A-Boards; Transportation handles public right-of-way banners (Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗)

Entities: government: City of Portland | permit_type: Building permit · Home Occupation Permit · Sign Permit · Noise permit | process: Land Use Review | department: Transportation (PBOT) | agency: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Do you need a permit for your commercial project?

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Source: Do you need a permit for your commercial project? ↗ Last modified: Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:00:21 GMT

The City of Portland also issues building permits for the City of Maywood Park.

New construction that requires a building permit

Construct new commercial building
Construct new multifamily building (three family units or more)

Alterations to existing structures that require a building permit

Cell phone antenna- Contact Land Use Review to see if Land Use Review is required.
Change the Use or Occupancy in an Existing Building.
Construct an addition
Demolish a structure
Disabled access upgrades
Install racks/storage shelving
Install siding
Move or construct walls, even if non-bearing partitions
Replace or add new windows or doors
Seismic upgrade
Tenant improvements

For asbestos abatement, contact the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ↗ (DEQ) or call them (800) 452-4011.

Work in the public right of way

Any work in the public right-of-way requires a permit. Or, this work may be allowed by code if the conditions are met under the authority of Transportation. Please contact Transportation ↗ ("PBOT") for more information.

Change of occupancy

A change of occupancy requires a building permit ↗.

Child care and daycare

Permits are required. Contact Land Use to see if a Land Use Review is required.

Flagpoles

Flagpoles require a building permit ↗.

Home business permits

Home Occupation - Type A. Doesn't require a permit. Allows residents to use their home as a place of work, but no customers or employees come to the house.
Home Occupation - Type B. Requires a Home Occupation Permit ↗. Allows one employee who does not live in the home and up to 15 customers per day to come to the dwelling.

Meter hoods

Transportation issues these permits. Please contact Transportation ↗ for more information.

Noise: Make noise beyond allowed standards

A noise permit is required if you plan to make noise above the allowed decibels and/or during non-construction hours/day. Read more about allowed construction hours ↗.

Parking permits

Transportation issues these permits. Please contact Transportation ↗ for more information.

Sidewalk cafes and street pole banners

Sidewalk café seating. Transportation issues these permits. Please contact Transportation ↗ ("PBOT") for more information.
Banners hung from street poles. Transportation issues these permits. Please contact Transportation ↗ ("PBOT") for more information.

Signs, A-boards, and banners

Sign Permit required for signs on private property and A-Boards ↗.
Contact Transportation ↗ ("PBOT") for banners in the public right of way.