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1. Home

1. Permitting & Development
2. Commercial Permits and Inspections
3. Commercial Permit Inspections
   
   In-person services in the Development Services Center at 1900 SW fourth Ave. are limited to Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to midday. Pre-scheduled appointments are needed for the majority of in-person services. Many building permit services are readily available online 24 hr a day. Learn more.
   
   Permits for newly created housing systems issued from Aug. 15, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028, might be exempt from system development charges under certain conditions.
   
   Read the news announcement
   Learn more about the exemptions and how they are applied
   Commercial Alteration - Tenant Improvement Building Permits & Inspections
   
   The City of Portland welcomes the chance to deal with you on your commercial modification- occupant improvement structure authorizations and examinations. Find out more about what's needed for a complete business change application. You can also investigate a residential or commercial property or schedule a consultation to discuss your job.
   
   You can start with this list of forms (if you understand what you require) and continue reading to read more about when some forms are needed.
   
   Commercial building authorization application and essential kinds
   
   The following information belongs to the application. This is everything you may require when making an application for a commercial alteration-tenant improvement license. Since every project is special, there may be some circumstances where you will be asked to supply additional details. Things you require to make an application for this license may consist of some or all of the following.
   
   If you aren't sure what you require, call Permitting Services. Forms consist of:
   
   Building regulations summary worksheet
   
   Building permit application
   
   Commercial food facilities
   
   Commercial systems advancement charge form
   
   Guide to examinations
   
   More details about modification of usage or occupancy
   
   Change of use or modification of occupancy web page
   
   Life Safety forms
   
   Requirements for Rack Storage System Permits
   
   Shell permit recognition statement
   
   Simplified technique kind
   
   Submittal guidelines and submittal requirements
   
   Submittal Requirements Commercial for the following can be found on Commercial Permit Submittal Requirements
   
   - Major Interior Alterations
   - Minor Interior Alterations
   - New Construction, Additions, Alterations with Exterior Work or Structural Changes
   Step 1: Research your residential or commercial property and what you need for your task
   
   A building authorization is required to repair, modify or alter occupancy or usage of an existing business structure or multi-family residential task with three or more units.
   
   Before you obtain a license it is important to research the current conditions established through reviewed, approved and last structure permits. If no permit can be discovered, existing tenancy might be developed through a Life Safety appeal process. Otherwise all work without benefit of permit will be treated as brand-new, regardless of when it was set up.
   
   Other items to research:
   
   the zoning of the residential or commercial property
   the applicable codes
   - existing licenses on site
   - occupancy of the existing structure
   - the permit cost
   SDC charges
   - expediency of the job
   - time a permit remains active
   Type of structure (URM).
   Codes in result in Portland include City Codes, such as Titles 24 and 33, as well as State building regulations. See our Codes webpage to find out more.
   
   Find out how to research your residential or commercial property and where to find the info in preparation for your permit application.
   
   Code summary
   
   Applications should reveal how they fulfill the structure code with a code summary. The building code summary is crucial to communicate design assumptions produced the building:
   
   Change of use or modification of tenancy
   
   Projects that alter the occupancy of the existing space can be really complicated. The Change of Use orChange of Occupancy webpage knows on this type of project. You can likewise discover more information in this sales brochure:
   
   Fire and Life Safety summary
   
   For extremely intricate projects, a life-safety summary might be needed. This summary has more detail about sprinkler, smoke alarm, detection systems and other building and construction details about the building:
   
   Shell allows
   
   " Shell" means the original building authorization did not establish tenancy. Tenant Improvement licenses will be taken in and routed to the initial reviewer.
   
   - Tenant Improvement permits can not be sent for review till the Shell authorization has actually been released.
   - Tenant Improvement permits can not be released till:- Shell permit has final approval or.
   - Shell permit has reached substantial conclusion identified by the Building Inspector.
   
   
   Under the Shell authorization, the owner was needed to complete the Shell Permit Acknowledgement Statement as part of that submittal:
   
   Seismic Strengthening Requirements
   
   Portland City Code, Title 24.85 consists of criteria that may trigger requirements for extra seismic strengthening when the work includes an existing structure.
   
   Step 2: Get Early Assistance
   
   If you have questions after evaluating the info on this website, we suggest you book a complimentary 15-minute consultation with us. This is an optional step. We're here for you if you have concerns about the information and materials you require to apply.
   
   For jobs with complex building or fire code concerns that need additional assistance, consumers may request an initial Life Safety meeting.
   
   Land use Early Assistance requests assist applicants prepare a complete task proposition, typically a land use review application. A Land Use Pre-Application Conference is needed for all Type III and IV land usage reviews prior to submittal of the application. They are also offered however optional for lower tier land usage evaluations.
   
   Step 3: What you require for a commercial change - occupant improvement (submittal requirements)
   
   The submittal guidelines in the required applications and types offer a breakdown on what requires to be offered with the application.
   
   As part of the evaluation process, a complete submittal is needed which includes a completed structure authorization application, life safety completeness checklist for commercial licenses, a Shell TI Acknowledgement statement, architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, pipes and landscape illustrations.
   
   Review the illustrations requirements:
   
   - Drawings, drawn to scale where essential to confirm compliance with code.
   - Drawings may be handwritten/drawn if clear and readable. Text or keep in mind will remain in print.
   - Minimum drawing size: 11x17. All required details is to be clear and understandable. Minimum printed text is to be 3/32" or the comparable 12-point font style.
   - Can not use expert's illustrations without the permission of the professional who signed the original drawings. For example, an architect's stamped strategy set can not be used without their authorization.
   Prepare the following information:
   
   Building license application.
   Erosion control plan.
   Stormwater strategy.
   
4. If the project includes space that defers tenancy to a future renter enhancement permit.
   Your project might also require business electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits
   
   Your task will more than likely need separate electrical licenses, mechanical authorizations and pipes permits. Make an application for these authorizations once the project has been approved to get a building permit.
   
   Step 4: Make an application for a building license and send your plans
   
   You can submit your license application demand online using Development Hub PDX. Read step-by-step instructions for sending a permit application demand online or face to face.
   
   For many jobs, electronic plans are submitted through the Single PDF process. Large tasks such as business new construction are submitted though PDX E-plans and ProjectDox.
   
   If you need to send paper strategies, you can establish an appointment to get plans or drop off plans face to face. Or, please call us and we will deal with you.
   
   Step 5: Plan review procedure and making corrections to an application (checksheets)
   
   You can inspect the status of an authorization evaluation on Portland Maps permit/case search. Many individuals may examine a single license. The Permit Review Process websites has more details about the groups who evaluate permits.
   
   A checksheet is sent to the applicant when a customer needs additional information or a correction has to be made to the plans. Find out more about how to send us corrections and how to prepare remedied paper plans.
   
   Step 6: Getting your authorization and paying authorization fees
   
   We'll call you when your license is ready, and alert you of any costs due. You'll get guidelines for how to get your authorized license and pay your fees. Your authorization is not provided till all costs are paid. Read more about the pre-issuance process.
   
   Step 7: Start structure and get ready for examinations
   
   The evaluation card notes all the assessments you will likely require during your construction job, and what work needs to be done first.
   
   Once your structure license is released, erosion control measures and sometimes tree security steps need to be set up, inspected and approved prior to starting any additional ground-disturbing activities.
   
   All licenses require a last approval examination to be complete.
   
   Step 8: Commercial inspections, outcomes and corrections
   
   To arrange an examination, call the automated Ask for Inspections phone number. You will require your IVR or allow number and the three-digit code for the inspection. You should call before 6:00 a.m. or the inspection will be scheduled the following company day.
   
   Get the results of the inspection on Portland Maps permit/case browse the next day.
   
   Find out more about why work does not get approved and how to arrange a reinspection.
   
   Small Company Empowerment Program
   
   The Small Company Empowerment Program assists Black, Indigenous and people of color company owner and entrepreneur with impairments acknowledged by the ADA who have experienced barriers in the evaluation procedure. Learn more about how we can assist.
   
   Donate multiple-use building and construction materials
   
   The City of Portland deals with the ReBuilding Center to make it simple to contribute recyclable structure products. Homeowners and company owner that certify can get materials free of charge to help make their residential or commercial properties safe. Donating structure materials also helps keep waste out of garbage dumps. Learn more about the From Excess to Access program.
   
   Contact business inspectors
   
   If you have questions before or after your evaluation, you can speak with an inspector.
   
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   The City of Portland guarantees significant access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably offers: translation, analysis, adjustments, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. Request an ADA accommodation or call 503-823-4000, Relay Service: 711.