Commercial Inspections
Source: PDF pp. 367-368 ↗ · raw: 367 · 368
Breadcrumb: Service Area Summaries > Community & Economic Development > Portland Permitting & Development > Commercial Inspections
City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Community & Economic Development > Portland Permitting & Development > Commercial Inspections Commercial Inspections Budget Revenues by Fund 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Revenues $14,792,487 $17,020,167 $15,834,828 $15,142,970 Development Services $14,792,487 $17,020,167 $15,834,828 $15,142,970 Fund Grand Total $14,792,487 $17,020,167 $15,834,828 $15,142,970 Program Expenses by Major Object Program expenses only include personnel, internal materials and services, external materials and services, and capital. 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Materials and $281,725 $323,683 $399,459 $402,520 Services Internal Materials and $357,227 $260,959 $290,959 $242,125 Services Personnel $6,333,966 $6,092,491 $4,959,809 $6,576,391 Grand Total $6,972,917 $6,677,133 $5,650,227 $7,221,036 Program Description and Goals The Commercial Inspections Program performs state-mandated construction inspections (structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) on industrial, commercial, and multi-family construction projects in Portland and the urban services area of Multnomah County. In addition, this program also administers the State-mandated Electrical Master Permit Program (EMPP), facilitating “frequent flyers” in large industrial and commercial facilities. The program also provides plan review services for commercial plumbing and electrical permits, and a full range of permitting and inspection services in the Facility Permit Program (FPP). Commercial Inspections supports the Citywide goal to protect and enhance the natural and built environment. The Program also works together with both Portland Fire & Rescue and the Multnomah County Health Division to provide a safe and healthy work and living environment for Portland residents. 367
City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget The Commercial Inspections Program is one of several PP&D programs that helps fulfill the bureau's obligation to administer the State building code program. Services Respond to customer calls; Utility easement facilitation; State Trade Minor Label Inspections; “On and Off” site project consultations; Inspection record digitization; Monitor right of way encroachment; Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) courtesy consultation; Emergency pre-issuance inspection/consultation; Project management consultation; old permit cleanup; Disaster response; Courtesy compliance inspections; Citizen construction complaints Equity Impacts Commercial Inspections is tasked with administering State building codes and City regulations related to commercial development. These services are generally provided citywide as requested by customers. PP&D has been providing equity training and customer service training to the staff in the Commercial Inspections Program, as well as recruiting, promoting, and hiring a more diverse workforce to better reflect the demographics of the community. Commercial Inspections is also partnering with the Empowered Communities Program with a focus on reaching equitable outcomes for the previously mentioned communities. More information on the Empowered Communities Program is included in the Development Services Program Offer. Changes to Program All PP&D programs have been impacted by the effects of high interest rates, falling market values for buildings in the downtown core, and perception of Portland as a place to invest and build. Bureau revenues and demand for services have declined considerably from their peak levels and the bureau is expecting low project activity to continue in FY 2026-27. PP&D continues utilizing reserves to fund ongoing operations during this downturn. Due to staffing reductions across the Bureau, the Inspections Division has assumed responsibility for digitizing and uploading all inspection documents. Additionally, because of layoffs and attrition within the Division, the Commercial Inspections section is being assigned to perform selected residential inspections in addition to its regular commercial inspection workload. This operational adjustment has been implemented to help meet increased residential inspection demand and to improve residential inspection response times. 368
Parent: Portland Permitting & Development · PDF: pp. 367-368 ↗