Plan Review

Source: PDF pp. 377-378 ↗ · raw: 377 · 378

Breadcrumb: Service Area Summaries > Community & Economic Development > Portland Permitting & Development > Plan Review

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Community & Economic Development > Portland Permitting & Development > Plan Review Plan Review Budget Revenues by Fund 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Revenues $10,290,063 $8,389,895 $8,054,695 $14,419,562 Development Services $10,290,063 $8,389,895 $8,054,695 $14,419,562 Fund Grand Total $10,290,063 $8,389,895 $8,054,695 $14,419,562 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 Capital Outlay $46 $0 $0 $0 External Materials and $221,494 $190,478 $224,202 $229,280 Services Internal Materials and $111,032 $69,989 $61,382 $69,043 Services Personnel $8,118,021 $7,071,455 $6,503,049 $7,123,690 Grand Total $8,450,592 $7,331,922 $6,788,633 $7,422,013 Program Description and Goals The Plan Review Program processes and approves building and mechanical permits for residential and commercial structures. Plans Examiners review building projects and provide general information on life safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, and related building requirements. Staff help permit applicants understand building codes and the review process to successfully obtain permits for their projects. Staff in the Structural Review Section review structural and mechanical plans to determine compliance with engineering requirements of the Oregon Structural and Mechanical Specialty Codes. These reviews are required for most projects that have engineering components. Organizationally, PP&D's Plan Review Program is composed of two Life Safety Review sections, Site Development Review, and Structural Review. The Building Code Review program supports the Citywide goal to protect and enhance the natural and built environment. 377

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget The program is one of several PP&D programs that helps fulfill the bureau's obligation to administer the State building code program. The services provided ensure compliance with the State's structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes, as well as various City codes. This program promotes community health and safety by helping to ensure that structures and other installations meet all applicable code standards. Services Building Permit plan review; Mechanical plan review; Energy Efficiency plan review; Seismic Upgrade review; Floating Structures review; customer assistance; building code information; Life Safety preliminary meetings; free 15-minute appointments; EQUIP program; building safety assessment. Equity Impacts Plan Review is tasked with administering State building codes and City regulations related to development. These services are generally provided citywide as requested by customers. The work of the division helps ensure permits approved for construction satisfy important health, safety, and community livability standards. The Plan Review Program completed an important element of PP&D's Racial Equity Implementation Plan this fiscal year with the publication of a Deck Design Guide with permit-ready plans for residential decks. The permit-ready deck plans are available to permit applicants at no cost and offer an option to reduce the time and resources required to obtain a permit. Plan Review is partnering with the Empowered Communities Program with a focus on reaching equitable outcomes for Indigenous people, Black people, immigrants and refugees, people of color, 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. Workforce reductions in 2024 and subsequent staff attrition led to a reduction in the number of Life Safety Review sections and supervisors from three to two in mid-2025. 378

Parent: Portland Permitting & Development · PDF: pp. 377-378 ↗