TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

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.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

Compliance Services responds to approximately 8,000 complaints annually providing services for zoning, nuisance, noise violations, and liquor/cannabis licensing (p. 370 ↗)
Total revenues projected at $7,142,527 for FY 2026-27, comprised of $5,111,696 external and $2,030,831 internal revenues (p. 369 ↗)
Personnel costs increasing to $4,366,187 in FY 2026-27 from $3,639,379 in FY 2025-26 (p. 369 ↗)
Cannabis Licensing Fund revenues projected at $1,785,840 for FY 2026-27 (p. 369 ↗)
Response times have increased twofold due to staff reductions and inadequate nuisance abatement funding (p. 370 ↗)
Bureau affected by high interest rates, falling downtown property values, and reduced perception of Portland as investment location (p. 370 ↗)
Program relies on fees for cost recovery, creating negative impacts on elderly, disabled, and underserved property owners (p. 370 ↗)
Compliance Services partners with Empowered Communities Program to achieve equitable outcomes for marginalized community members and people with disabilities (p. 370 ↗)

Amounts: $7,142,527 · $5,111,696 · $2,030,831 · $1,785,840 · $3,325,856 · $4,366,187 · $4,716,895 · $235,262 · Dates/FTE: 8,000 complaints annually · response times doubled · Programs: Compliance Services · Zoning and Code/Licensing compliance · Cannabis business licensing · Noise Code enforcement · Empowered Communities Program · Nuisance abatement · Parties: City of Portland · Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) · Development Services Program

Compliance Services

Source: PDF pp. 369-370 ↗ · raw: 369 · 370

Breadcrumb: Service Area Summaries > Community & Economic Development > Portland Permitting & Development > Compliance Services

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Community & Economic Development > Portland Permitting & Development > Compliance Services Compliance Services Budget Revenues by Fund 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Revenues $3,577,832 $4,487,335 $5,200,816 $5,111,696 Cannabis Licensing $1,292,844 $1,479,390 $1,600,401 $1,785,840 Fund Development Services $2,284,988 $3,007,945 $3,600,415 $3,325,856 Fund Grants Fund $0 $0 $0 $0 Internal Revenues $0 $0 $1,789,925 $2,030,831 Cannabis Licensing $0 $0 $946,317 $1,166,132 Fund Development Services $0 $0 $843,608 $864,699 Fund Grand Total $3,577,832 $4,487,335 $6,990,741 $7,142,527 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 $218,681 $102,712 $256,968 $235,262 Services Internal Materials and $247,821 $117,327 $129,515 $115,446 Services Personnel $3,995,850 $4,117,917 $3,639,379 $4,366,187 Grand Total $4,462,352 $4,337,956 $4,025,862 $4,716,895 Program Description and Goals Compliance Services is comprised of Zoning and Code/Licensing compliance workgroups whose work supports the Citywide goal to protect and enhance the natural and built environment. These workgroups respond to complaints, investigate potential violations 369

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget and work with property owners, businesses, and tenants to resolve compliance issues at the lowest level possible. Each year, Compliance Services responds to approximately 8,000 complaints providing services that ensure safe, healthy structures for Portlanders to live, work, and play. Services Work without permit; Zoning violations; Some land use issues; Nuisance abatement; Noise Code enforcement; Liquor licensing; Cannabis business licensing Equity Impacts Compliance Services is tasked with administering City regulations regarding zoning, nuisance and noise code violations. These services are provided as requested by community members. Compliance services staff are on the front lines in dealing with issues related to inequity and how underserved and marginalized communities often face barriers to succeed. The Compliance Services Program is reliant on fees and charges for service to cover operating cost. This can often have negative impacts for owner-occupied property owners, especially the elderly, disabled, and underserved, who most often have code violations and are experiencing barriers to achieve compliance due to poverty and other limitations. Compliance Services staff continue to review older cases to mitigate negative impacts and remove barriers and find equitable ways, through policy changes, to reduce liens and provide additional time for property owners working to bring their properties into compliance. Finally, Compliance Services continues to partner with the Empowered Communities Program with a focus on reaching equitable outcomes for marginalized members of the community and those with barriers and people with disabilities. More information on the Empowered Communities Program is included in the Development Services Program. 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. The ability to respond to complaints and address nuisance conditions in a timely manner has been hampered by a reduction in staff and inadequate funding for nuisance abatement costs. Response times have increased twofold, and demand for services is continuing to stretch resources. 370

Parent: Portland Permitting & Development · PDF: pp. 369-370 ↗