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Do you need outside work permits? Driveways, patios, sewer and more

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Source: Do you need outside work permits? Driveways, patios, sewer and more ↗ Last modified: Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:00:23 GMT

The City of Portland welcomes the opportunity to work with you on your outside work permit project. Find out if you need permits for your outside work project and what kind of permits you need. Learn more about permits for electrical, mechanical and plumbing work. You can also schedule an appointment to discuss your project. 

This webpage can help you decide if you need a permit for your outdoor project. If you need a permit, the next step will be to read about permit requirements on the linked web pages. You might also want to read What You Need to Apply for a Permit ↗- Minimum Submittal Requirements.

Concrete patio permits

Add a concrete patio on grade (private property)- contact Planning and Zoning to find out if a zoning permit ↗ is needed.

Deck permits

  • Building a deck more than 30 inches high- you'll need a building permit ↗.
  • No permit required if building a deck not more than 30 inches above grade.

Driveway permits

  • Add a driveway with new or replacement curb cut- you will need a zoning permit ↗
  • Add paving for driveway with existing, unaltered curb cut- you will need a zoning permit ↗

Fence permits

  • Put up a fence more than seven feet high- you'll need a building permit ↗.
  • Building a fence less than seven feet high- no permit required.

Outside work permits

Learn more about when you need a Site Development permit ↗.

Tree permits

Retaining walls permits

Retaining walls ↗ taller than 4’ or any wall with sloping backfill or surcharged need a building permit and a Site Development permit ↗ for walls in a new subdivision.

Sewer connection permits