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Portland Permitting & Development

Service Area Summaries > Community & Economic Development > Portland Permitting & Development -- 29 pages · pp. 356-384 ↗

Intro (~3,548 tokens, spilled to sibling files): pp. 356-362 · PDF ↗

Contents

Section PDF pages Description
[doc] Administration & Support. . . . . pp. 363-364 ↗ The Administration & Support Program provides strategic direction, administrative infrastructure, technology management, and racial equity implementation for Portland Permitting & Development. The bureau faces significant revenue and demand declines due to high interest rates, falling downtown property values, and reduced investment perception. FY 2026-27 shows total revenues of $13.1M and program expenses of $23.7M, with notable personnel cost reductions achieved through natural attrition and hiring freeze.
[doc] Combination Inspections pp. 365-366 ↗ The Combination Inspections Program ensures residential properties meet building safety codes through multi-specialty certified inspectors (structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical), reducing scheduling burden and enabling fewer staff to conduct more inspections. Proposed 2026-27 revenues are $14.5M with personnel expenses at $7.36M. The program faces demand challenges due to high interest rates and downtown market decline, and is now cross-utilizing Commercial Inspections staff to reduce residential inspection wait times.
[doc] Commercial Inspections pp. 367-368 ↗ The Commercial Inspections Program performs state-mandated construction inspections (structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for industrial, commercial, and multi-family projects in Portland and Multnomah County's urban services area. It administers the Electrical Master Permit Program and provides plan review services. For FY 2026-27, revenues are projected at $15.14M with expenses of $7.22M. Due to market downturn from high interest rates and declining downtown property values, the bureau is drawing reserves. Commercial Inspections staff now handle residential inspections as well to address demand.
[doc] Compliance Services pp. 369-370 ↗ Compliance Services responds to approximately 8,000 annual complaints regarding zoning, nuisance, noise, and licensing violations. The program is fee-funded and faces equity challenges affecting vulnerable populations. FY 2026-27 shows declining revenues due to reduced market activity and high interest rates; response times have doubled due to staff reductions and inadequate funding.
[doc] Development Services pp. 371-372 ↗ Development Services manages Portland's permitting process from intake through issuance, ensuring compliance with Oregon State Building Code and City codes. The 2026-27 budget shows external revenues declining to $992,717 while personnel expenses of $6,493,458 represent the largest budget component. The program faces ongoing challenges from high interest rates and declining downtown property values. Development Services is expanding support through equity programs (Small Business Empowerment, Empowering Neighborhoods, Arts Empowerment) and single-point-of-contact availability. The bureau continues transitioning to ProjectDox implementation.
[doc] Land Use Services pp. 373-374 ↗ Land Use Services (LUS) administers Portland's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code (Title 33), reviewing development proposals and providing public information on regulations. FY 2026-27 revenues are projected at $13.4M (29.5% increase from revised FY 2025-26), with personnel costs rising to $7.2M. Despite revenue growth, the bureau expects continued low activity due to high interest rates, declining downtown values, and market perception challenges. LUS is implementing new state mandates including SB 1537 Mandatory Adjustments, HB 2138 middle housing changes, and HB 2005 treatment facility regulations.
[doc] Neighborhood Inspections pp. 375-376 ↗ The Neighborhood Inspections program enforces Portland's property maintenance regulations to protect neighborhood livability and resident health and safety. The 2026-27 proposed budget totals $3.6M in revenue and $2.8M in expenses, with personnel costs representing the largest expense category. The program faces challenges from declining market demand and relies heavily on fee-based revenue rather than General Fund support, requiring operational adjustments.
[doc] Plan Review pp. 377-378 ↗ The Plan Review Program processes and approves building and mechanical permits for residential and commercial structures, ensuring compliance with State and City codes. For FY 2026-27, external revenues are projected at $14.4M, up 79% from 2025-26, with expenses of $7.4M primarily in personnel. The program includes Life Safety Review (reduced from three to two sections in mid-2025), Site Development Review, and Structural Review sections. The bureau is using reserves amid market downturns and reduced demand.
[doc] Public Infrastructure Permitting pp. 379-380 ↗ The Public Infrastructure Permitting program, relocated to Portland Permitting & Development in July 2024 from PWB, PBOT, BES, and Parks, provides development services including permit reviews, inspections, and customer assistance. FY 2026-27 revenues total $14.1M against $10.6M expenses. The program is underfunded through fees and depends on interagency agreements with former bureaus per Resolution 37628 and Ordinance 191736. Economic headwinds have reduced demand and revenues, requiring reserve drawdowns. The program consolidated into a single division with a new Engineering Supervisor.
[doc] Site Development pp. 381-382 ↗ Site Development Program provides plan review and inspections for geotechnical, floodplain, grading, erosion control, and septic systems. External revenues increased from $1.89M to $2.76M for 2026-27. Personnel costs account for $2.57M of the $2.67M total budget. The program faces staffing constraints from 2024 workforce reductions and ongoing market downturn affecting development activity.
[doc] Urban Forestry Tree Regulation pp. 383-384 ↗ The Urban Forestry Tree Regulation program administers Portland's Title 11 tree code citywide, issuing permits, reviewing development proposals, and enforcing compliance. Transferred from Parks and Recreation to Portland Permitting & Development in October 2025 with 26.0 FTE, the program addresses unequal urban forest distribution. The 2026-27 budget is $3.88M from PDX Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, reflecting bureau-wide downturns from falling development market values.

See also