Permitting & Development — Intro
Common home projects
Source: Common home projects ↗
The City of Portland welcomes the opportunity to work with you on your residential building permit project. Learn more about what's required for your project and find out if you need permits. You can also schedule an appointment to discuss your project.
This webpage is for new construction and improvements to houses, duplexes and two-unit townhouses. Depending on the scope of work, your project will most likely need electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical permits ↗.
When you need a permit for home projects
Find out when you need a residential permit ↗. And, read more about when you don't need a permit for projects for a 1- or 2- family home.
When you need a zoning permit for home projects
Learn more about when you need a zoning permit ↗, when you don't need a zoning permit, and how to get started with a zoning permit application.
Who can do the work
Contractors
Contractors must have a license to work in Oregon. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board ↗ (CCB) issues licenses to contractors. The permit application and their company materials must list the license number.
Need help finding a contractor?
The CCB website has good tips on how to search for one. Plumbing and Electrical contractors have additional license requirements.
Homeowner
If you are a homeowner doing the work yourself, then you can sign the trade permit applications. You can only do the electrical work if you own and occupy the home and are not planning on selling or renting within 6 months. The State of Oregon has some helpful information for homeowners:
Building and zoning permit application
Check out How to Fill Out a Building Permit Application- A Step-by-Step Guide ↗ for help completing the application, and then apply online ↗.
Code and Rules
We review permits using multiple city and state codes, including:
- Oregon Residential Specialty Code ↗
- Portland City Codes
Other codes may apply based on the scope of work. The City and State Codes, Administrative Rules, Code Guides and Program Guides ↗ web page has the codes, administrative rules, code guides and program guides.