Building Permits in Portland, OR
Check permit requirements for home improvement projects in Portland. Select a project type below to see local requirements, estimated fees, and how to apply.
Recent permit activity in Portland
We track 263,252 permit records from Portland's official open-data feed, updated today.
Thinking about a project? Check what permits have already been pulled on a property — data is current to today. Useful for buyers vetting a listing, or homeowners curious about their neighbors' renovations.
Key Exemptions in Portland
These projects typically don't require a building permit in Portland:
Small at-grade patio slabs under 120 square feet are typically exempt from building permits per IRC R105.2 (extended via local amendment). The slab must be at-grade (not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade) and not part of an accessible route.
Freestanding decks not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt from a building permit per Oregon Specialty Codes (2021 IRC-based).
Replacing an existing driveway in the same footprint with no changes to the curb cut is generally exempt from permit requirements.
Replacing a light fixture or outlet in an existing location does not require a permit.
Plugging a Level 1 (120V) EV charger into an existing outlet is NOT considered new electrical work and does not require a permit. This is the only permit-free EV charging method, just plug in and charge. Adds approximately 4-5 miles of range per hour.
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Portland Building Department
Permit Guides
Read our in-depth guides for common home improvement projects: