Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) manages the city’s building permits, land-use review, inspections, code enforcement, and public-works permitting. Building, trade, sign, and zoning permit applications are generally submitted through Development Hub PDX (DevHub), Portland’s online permitting system. Before applying, property owners can use PortlandMaps to research zoning, overlays, plan districts, prior permits, and other site-specific information.
Zoning can significantly shape the permit path. All development must comply with Portland’s Zoning Code, and properties may also fall within environmental, design, or other overlay zones and special plan districts. Certain proposals require a separate land-use review rather than only a building permit, while development in the Design Overlay Zone may require Design Review or compliance with applicable objective design standards.
Portland’s Tree Code creates another project-specific layer. Street trees are regulated separately from private-property trees, and removal or development work involving trees can require permits or preservation measures. Tree work associated with a larger construction project is generally coordinated with the building plans, while non-development tree work follows a separate permitting process.
Designated historic landmarks and properties within historic districts can also require Historic Resource Review for alterations, additions, or new construction, with demolition subject to additional review in applicable cases. Applicants can start with Portland’s Development Review and Permit Processes guide to identify the building, zoning, land-use, tree, historic, and public-works reviews that apply.