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1. Home
2. Permitting & Development
3. Commercial Permits and Inspections
4. 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 twelve noon. Pre-scheduled visits are needed for many in-person services. Many structure license services are available online 24 hours a day. Learn more.

Permits for newly created housing systems released from Aug. 15, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028, might be exempt from system development charges under certain conditions.

Read the news announcement

Find out more about the exemptions and how they are used


Commercial Alteration - Tenant Improvement Building Permits & Inspections

The City of Portland welcomes the chance to work with you on your business modification- occupant improvement structure authorizations and evaluations. Discover more about what's needed for a complete industrial change application. You can also research a residential or commercial property or schedule an appointment to discuss your job.

You can start with this list of types (if you know what you need) and continue checking out for more information about when some types are needed.

Commercial building permit application and crucial forms

The following info becomes part of the application. This is whatever you might need when requesting an industrial alteration-tenant improvement permit. Since every task is distinct, there may be some circumstances where you will be asked to supply extra information. Things you require to look for this license might include some or all of the following.

If you aren't sure what you need, contact Permitting Services. Forms include:

Building regulations summary worksheet

Building authorization application

Commercial food facilities

Commercial systems advancement charge type

Guide to examinations

More info about change of use or occupancy

Change of use or change of tenancy webpage

Life Safety forms

Requirements for Rack Storage System Permits

Shell permit recognition declaration

Simplified technique kind

Submittal standards 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 job

A structure authorization is required to fix, alter or alter tenancy or use of an existing industrial structure or multi-family property project with 3 or more systems.

Before you request a license it is essential to research the status quo established through examined, approved and last structure authorizations. If no permit can be found, existing tenancy may be developed through a Life Safety appeal process. Otherwise all work without benefit of permit will be treated as new, regardless of when it was installed.

Other items to research:

the zoning of the residential or commercial property

the relevant codes

- existing licenses on site

- tenancy of the existing structure

- the license expense

SDC charges

- feasibility of the project

- time an authorization remains active

Type of structure (URM).


Codes in impact in Portland include City Codes, such as Titles 24 and 33, in addition to State building regulations. See our Codes website for additional information.

Find out how to research your residential or commercial property and where to find the info in preparation for your authorization application.

Code summary

Applications must reveal how they meet the building regulations with a code summary. The building regulations summary is important to communicate design assumptions produced the building:

Change of use or modification of occupancy

Projects that change the tenancy of the existing space can be really complex. The Change of Use orChange of Occupancy webpage has info on this kind of job. You can likewise find more details in this brochure:

Fire and Life Safety summary

For very intricate tasks, a life-safety summary might be needed. This summary has more detail about sprinkler, emergency alarm, detection systems and other building and construction information about the building:

Shell permits

" Shell" implies the initial structure license did not establish tenancy. Tenant Improvement permits will be taken in and routed to the initial reviewer.

- Tenant Improvement permits can not be submitted for evaluation until the Shell permit has actually been released.

- Tenant Improvement permits can not be provided until:- Shell authorization has final approval or.

- Shell license has actually reached substantial conclusion determined by the Building Inspector.

Under the Shell license, the owner was needed to finish the Shell Permit Acknowledgement Statement as part of that submittal:

Seismic Strengthening Requirements

Portland City Code, Title 24.85 contains criteria that might trigger requirements for extra seismic fortifying when the work includes an existing building.

Step 2: Get Early Assistance

If you have questions after evaluating the details on this webpage, we suggest you schedule a totally free 15-minute visit with us. This is an optional step. We're here for you if you have questions about the details and materials you need to apply.

For tasks with complex structure or fire code issues that require additional help, clients might ask for an initial Life Safety conference.

Land usage Early Assistance demands help applicants prepare a complete job proposition, typically a land usage evaluation application. A Land Use Pre-Application Conference is needed for all Type III and IV land use examines prior to submittal of the application. They are also readily available however optional for lower tier land usage reviews.

Step 3: What you need for a commercial alteration - tenant improvement building permit (submittal requirements)

The submittal standards in the required applications and forms offer a breakdown on what requires to be offered with the application.

As part of the review procedure, a complete submittal is needed which consists of a finished structure license application, life safety efficiency checklist for industrial licenses, a Shell TI Acknowledgement statement, architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, pipes and landscape drawings.

Review the illustrations requirements:

- Drawings, drawn to scale where needed to verify compliance with code.

- Drawings might be handwritten/drawn if clear and readable. Text or note will remain in print.

- Minimum drawing size: 11x17. All required information is to be clear and understandable. Minimum printed text is to be 3/32" or the comparable 12-point font.

- Can not utilize specialist's illustrations without the consent of the professional who signed the original drawings. For instance, a designer's stamped strategy set can not be used without their approval.


Prepare the following information:

Building license application.

Erosion control plan.


Stormwater plan.


- If the job includes space that delays occupancy to a future occupant improvement authorization.


Your job may also require commercial electrical, mechanical, and pipes permits

Your job will more than likely need different electrical authorizations, mechanical licenses and plumbing authorizations. Get these permits once the project has been authorized to get a structure authorization.

Step 4: Request a structure license and submit your plans

You can submit your authorization application request online using Development Hub PDX. Read detailed instructions for sending an authorization application request online or face to face.

For most jobs, electronic strategies are submitted through the Single PDF procedure. Large jobs such as industrial brand-new construction are submitted though PDX E-plans and ProjectDox.

If you need to submit paper strategies, you can establish an appointment to choose up strategies or drop off plans personally. Or, please call us and we will work with you.

Step 5: Plan evaluation procedure and making corrections to an application (checksheets)

You can inspect the status of an authorization review on Portland Maps permit/case search. Many individuals might examine a single authorization. The Permit Review Process web page has more info about the groups who review licenses.

A checksheet is sent out to the candidate when a reviewer requires additional info or a correction needs to be made to the plans. Find out more about how to send us corrections and how to prepare fixed paper strategies.

Step 6: Getting your authorization and paying license charges

We'll call you when your permit is prepared, and alert you of any charges due. You'll get guidelines for how to get your authorized permit and pay your charges. Your permit is not provided up until all fees are paid. Find out more about the pre-issuance process.

Step 7: Start structure and prepare yourself for examinations

The evaluation card notes all the assessments you will likely require throughout your construction task, and what work needs to be done first.

Once your building permit is issued, disintegration control measures and often tree defense steps should be set up, inspected and approved prior to starting any additional ground-disturbing activities.

All authorizations require a last approval assessment to be total.

Step 8: Commercial inspections, outcomes and corrections

To arrange an examination, call the automated Requests for Inspections contact number. You will need 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 arranged the following service day.

Get the results of the inspection on Portland Maps permit/case search the next day.

Find out more about why work does not get approved and how to arrange a reinspection.

Small Business Empowerment Program

The Small Company Empowerment Program assists Black, Indigenous and people of color entrepreneur and company owner with specials needs recognized by the ADA who have actually experienced barriers in the evaluation process. Discover more about how we can help.

Donate reusable construction products

The City of Portland deals with the ReBuilding Center to make it easy to donate multiple-use structure products. Homeowners and company owners that qualify can get materials totally free to assist make their residential or commercial properties safe. Donating building materials likewise assists keep waste out of landfills. Learn more about the From Excess to Access program.

Contact commercial inspectors

If you have questions before or after your examination, you can speak to an inspector.

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