Portland Permitting and Development

10/07/2026

We are pleased to partner with Prosper Portland's Office of Small Business at its four community office hours in October to offer helpful information about how the City’s zoning rules affect small businesses.

Staff will be available to answer questions about zoning regulations and how they may apply to new businesses or those altering their operations, building or site.

These office hours will be held throughout Portland from Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Wednesday, Oct. 28. More information can be found at Portland.gov/ppd/October-2026-office-hours.

10/02/2026

Please join our colleagues at the Portland Housing Bureau for these community conversations, held throughout October, to inform the City of Portland’s Unified Housing Strategy.

The City of Portland is working towards a Unified Housing Strategy, which will align our priorities as a City and a broader housing community, ensuring that we have a clear path to collectively addressing Portland’s housing needs.

09/30/2026

Join the Portland Housing Bureau's Rental Services Office for Portland's 2nd annual Rental Education Week - October 5-9

FREE one-hour educational webinars led by partner agencies daily, on important topics in rental housing like fair housing, property maintenance, conflict management, and more.

Learn more and register by 9/30: portland.gov/phb/rental-ed-week-2026

09/14/2026

Erosion control is important for maintaining water quality and nutrients in soil. It is also important for protecting nearby streams and the fish and wildlife that inhabit them.

For seven months of the year, beginning October 1, even greater care must be taken to ensure dirt and sediments don’t leave construction sites that involve ground-disturbing activity.

Learn more: Portland.gov/extra-erosion-controls

09/10/2026

The Oregon Building Codes Division is expected to adopt the 2026 edition of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) on Thursday, Oct. 1.

There will be a six-month phase-in period, ending March 31, 2027, during which residential permits may be applied for under the new code or the existing 2023 ORSC.

Beginning April 1, 2027, all residential permit requests must follow the 2026 ORSC.

Learn more about the new code and how to submit a permit request under the 2023 ORSC by March 31: https://www.portland.gov/ppd/2026-orsc-phase-in

09/08/2026

For the duration of the southbound I-5 closure, the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th Ave. will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Sept. 15. This is intended to allow for greater flexibility in travel during peak commuter times while ensuring high levels of customer service.

We appreciate your patience and understanding. More information about in-person services available at the Development Services Center can be found at Portland.gov/DSC.

08/27/2026

"It’s a total partnership with the city and the customer." >> See the full article below ⬇️

06/18/2026

What are some things that come to mind when you think of Portland’s Inner Eastside? Ideas might include walkability, close access to everyday needs, and charming neighborhoods. Expensive homes might also come to mind.

What if more people with a broader range of incomes could live in this area?

That’s the question that the Inner Eastside Zoning Project is exploring. A series of past land use decisions has resulted in the predominance of single-dwelling zoning in the Inner Eastside. This plan provides an opportunity to rethink housing patterns in this area and allow for a greater variety of houses to be built. The goal is to make this desirable area more accessible to all.

The project is just kicking off! Learn more on the project’s website and sign up for updates.

Portland.gov/Inner-Eastside

06/15/2026

05/20/2026

Portland is located in a seismically active region, and many older homes—built before the area’s earthquake risks were fully understood—may be especially vulnerable. Common issues include homes that are not bolted to their foundations and unbraced cripple walls, both of which can lead to significant damage during an earthquake.

As part of , the City of Portland is sharing simple, effective ways to improve home safety. Strengthening older homes can significantly reduce damage during a seismic event and help protect what matters most. Although Oregon’s residential building codes do not have minimum requirements for seismic strengthening of existing homes, there are proven steps homeowners can take right now to reduce risk.

Learn more about ways to strengthen old homes at Portland.gov/residential-seismic-strengthening.