Free remote consultations now offered for commercial building permit customers at first review
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Source: Free remote consultations now offered for commercial building permit customers at first review ↗ Last modified: Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:07:37 GMT
City permit review professionals issue checksheets when items on a proposed set of construction plans need updates to meet building codes. Checksheets are common on most development projects and add time to the permit process. Offering time for customers to meet with City staff after the first checksheet is issued can help clarify what is needed to achieve faster permit issuance.
“The goals of these meetings are to address any questions or misunderstandings related to the scope of the project, work through conflicts, promote mutual understanding of the corrections required, and help ensure the next round of corrections will resolve the outstanding issues,” said David Kuhnhausen, interim director of Portland Permitting & Development.
While the names, phone numbers and email addresses of plan reviewers are listed on each checksheet for customers to contact with questions, this is the first time that Portland Permitting & Development has directly offered meetings up to one hour long, by phone or over video, at this phase of a commercial building permit’s review.
Offers for these consultations are published on checksheets and in ProjectDox, the City’s plan review software. Customers wishing to schedule these meetings must contact the identified City professional to schedule the session.
Portland Permitting & Development tested this approach, starting in 2023, through a pilot project with 20 new apartment buildings. The average permit’s review was reduced by one checksheet, which saves time and money for the customer.
Due to staff limitations, these sessions are only available to commercial permit customers and only for first-round checksheets addressing life safety, structural, site development, erosion control, or mechanical issues. While these sessions are not offered for other types of permits and reviews, customers are welcome and encouraged to contact the reviewers listed on their checksheets as needed.
This offering underscores the commitment of the City of Portland to improving the permit review process and enhancing the customer experience.