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1. Home

1. Permitting & Development
2. Commercial Permits and Inspections
3. Commercial Permit Inspections
   
   services in the Development Services Center at 1900 SW 4th 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 required for many in-person services. Many building license services are available online 24 hr a day. Learn more.
   
   Permits for recently produced housing systems issued from Aug. 15, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028, might be exempt from system development charges under particular conditions.
   
   Read the news statement
   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 alteration- renter enhancement structure permits and inspections. Find out more about what's required for a complete business change application. You can also look into a residential or commercial property or schedule a visit to discuss your task.
   
   You can begin with this list of kinds (if you know what you need) and continue reading to learn more about when some types are required.
   
   Commercial building authorization application and important forms
   
   The following information belongs to the application. This is everything you might require when requesting a commercial alteration-tenant improvement permit. Since every task is unique, there might be some scenarios where you will be asked to provide extra information. Things you need to get this license might consist of some or all of the following.
   
   If you aren't sure what you require, call Permitting Services. Forms consist of:
   
   Building code summary worksheet
   
   Building authorization application
   
   Commercial food facilities
   
   Commercial systems advancement charge kind
   
   Guide to inspections
   
   More information about change of use or occupancy
   
   Change of usage or modification of occupancy website
   
   Life Safety forms
   
   Requirements for Rack Storage System Permits
   
   Shell allow acknowledgement statement
   
   Simplified technique type
   
   Submittal guidelines and submittal requirements
   
   Submittal Requirements Commercial for the following can be discovered 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 project
   
   A building permit is required to fix, alter or change tenancy or usage of an existing industrial structure or multi-family property task with 3 or more units.
   
   Before you look for a permit it is essential to look into the existing conditions established through evaluated, approved and last building permits. If no permit can be discovered, existing tenancy might be established through a Life Safety appeal process. Otherwise all work without advantage of permit will be treated as new, no matter when it was set up.
   
   Other items to research study:
   
   the zoning of the residential or commercial property
   the relevant codes
   - existing permits on site
   - tenancy of the existing building
   - the authorization cost
   SDC charges
   - expediency of the job
   - time an authorization stays 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 for more info.
   
   Discover how to investigate your residential or commercial property and where to find the info in preparation for your permit application.
   
   Code summary
   
   Applications should show how they fulfill the building regulations with a code summary. The structure code summary is crucial to convey design presumptions produced the structure:
   
   Change of use or modification of occupancy
   
   Projects that alter the occupancy of the existing area can be extremely complicated. The Change of Use orChange of Occupancy website has details on this type of job. You can also find more info in this pamphlet:
   
   Fire and Life Safety summary
   
   For really complex projects, a life-safety summary may be required. This summary has more information about sprinkler, fire alarms, detection systems and other building and construction info about the building:
   
   Shell allows
   
   " Shell" means the original structure permit did not establish tenancy. Tenant Improvement licenses will be taken in and routed to the original reviewer.
   
   - Tenant Improvement allows can not be sent for review up until the Shell permit has actually been provided.
   - Tenant Improvement allows can not be issued up until:- Shell license has final approval or.
   - Shell authorization has reached substantial completion identified by the Building Inspector.
   
   
   Under the Shell license, the owner was required to finish the Shell Permit Acknowledgement Statement as part of that submittal:
   
   Seismic Strengthening Requirements
   
   Portland City Code, Title 24.85 includes criteria that may set off requirements for additional seismic fortifying when the work involves an existing structure.
   
   Step 2: Get Early Assistance
   
   If you have questions after reviewing the info on this webpage, we recommend you reserve a free 15-minute visit with us. This is an optional action. We're here for you if you have questions about the information and materials you require to use.
   
   For jobs with complex building or fire code issues that need additional assistance, clients may request an initial Life Safety conference.
   
   Land use Early Assistance demands help applicants prepare a complete task proposal, generally a land use evaluation application. A Land Use Pre-Application Conference is needed for all Type III and IV land usage evaluates prior to submittal of the application. They are likewise offered but optional for lower tier land use evaluations.
   
   Step 3: What you need for a business change - occupant improvement building authorization (submittal requirements)
   
   The submittal guidelines in the needed applications and forms offer an in-depth list on what needs to be provided with the application.
   
   As part of the review procedure, a total submittal is required which consists of a finished building permit application, life security completeness list for commercial authorizations, a Shell TI Acknowledgement declaration, architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and landscape drawings.
   
   Review the illustrations requirements:
   
   - Drawings, drawn to scale where needed to confirm compliance with code.
   - Drawings might be handwritten/drawn if clear and readable. Text or note will remain in print.
   - Minimum drawing size: 11x17. All needed info is to be clear and readable. Minimum printed text is to be 3/32" or the comparable 12-point typeface.
   - Can not use expert's drawings without the permission of the specialist who signed the initial illustrations. For instance, an architect's stamped plan set can not be utilized without their permission.
   Prepare the following info:
   
   Building license application.
   Erosion control strategy.
   Stormwater strategy.
   
4. If the task includes space that postpones tenancy to a future occupant enhancement authorization.
   Your task may likewise require business electrical, mechanical, and pipes allows
   
   Your task will probably need different electrical permits, mechanical permits and pipes permits. Apply for these licenses once the task has been approved to get a structure authorization.
   
   Step 4: Make an application for a building license and submit your plans
   
   You can send your license application demand online utilizing Development Hub PDX. Read step-by-step instructions for sending a license application request online or face to face.
   
   For most projects, electronic plans are sent through the Single PDF procedure. Large tasks such as industrial brand-new building and construction are sent though PDX E-plans and ProjectDox.
   
   If you need to send paper strategies, you can establish a consultation to pick up plans or drop off strategies face to face. Or, please call us and we will work with you.
   
   Step 5: Plan review process and making corrections to an application (checksheets)
   
   You can inspect the status of an authorization review on Portland Maps permit/case search. Many individuals may examine a single license. The Permit Review Process web page has more information about the groups who evaluate permits.
   
   A checksheet is sent out to the candidate when a reviewer needs extra information or a correction needs to be made to the strategies. Read more about how to send us corrections and how to prepare fixed paper plans.
   
   Step 6: Getting your license and paying authorization charges
   
   We'll call you when your permit is prepared, and notify you of any costs due. You'll get guidelines for how to get your authorized permit and pay your charges. Your permit is not released till all costs are paid. Read more about the pre-issuance process.
   
   Step 7: Start building and get all set for assessments
   
   The evaluation card notes all the inspections you will likely need during your building project, and what work needs to be done initially.
   
   Once your structure authorization is issued, disintegration control steps and in some cases tree security procedures must be set up, inspected and approved prior to beginning any further ground-disturbing activities.
   
   All permits need a final approval examination to be complete.
   
   Step 8: Commercial inspections, results and corrections
   
   To arrange an assessment, call the automated Requests for Inspections phone number. You will need your IVR or allow number and the three-digit code for the inspection. You need to call before 6:00 a.m. or the evaluation will be set up the following organization day.
   
   Get the results of the inspection on Portland Maps permit/case browse the next day.
   
   Learn more about why work does not get authorized and how to arrange a reinspection.
   
   Small Business Empowerment Program
   
   The Small Company Empowerment Program assists Black, Indigenous and individuals of color company owner and company owner with specials needs recognized by the ADA who have experienced barriers in the review procedure. Find out more about how we can assist.
   
   Donate recyclable building materials
   
   The City of Portland deals with the ReBuilding Center to make it simple to donate reusable structure materials. Homeowners and company owner that qualify can receive products totally free to assist make their residential or commercial properties safe. Donating building materials likewise assists keep waste out of garbage dumps. Learn more about the From Excess to Access program.
   
   Contact business inspectors
   
   If you have concerns before or after your evaluation, you can talk with an inspector.
   
   Menu for Commercial Permit Inspections
   
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   The City of Portland guarantees meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to abide by Civil liberty Title VI and ADA Title II laws and fairly offers: translation, analysis, adjustments, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. Request an ADA lodging or call 503-823-4000, Relay Service: 711.