Phone: 503-823-7300
Email: bds@portlandoregon.gov
1900 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97201
Codes, Rules & Guides
The Bureau of Development Services (BDS) administers and enforces the City and State codes and administrative rules linked on this page. This page also contains code and program guides that aid in understanding how BDS applies these codes and rules.
Content is being migrated to the new website. If you can't find what you're looking for, please search on www.portland.gov/bds/documents.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
State Building Codes and Administrative Rules
State Building Codes and related Administrative Rules and interpretations are listed below.
City Codes
BDS administers the following City Codes:
- Chapter 3.30 Bureau of Development Services
- Title 4 Original Art Murals
- Title 10 Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations
- Title 11 Trees
- Title 24 Building Regulations
- Title 25 Plumbing Regulations
- Title 26 Electrical Regulations
- Title 27 Heating and Ventilating Regulations
- Title 28 Floating Structures
- Title 29 Property Maintenance Regulations
- Title 31 Fire Regulations
- Title 32 Signs and Related Regulations
- Title 33 Zoning Code
- Chapter 16.60 Motor Vehicle Fuels
- Other City Titles
City Administrative Rules
Administrative rules clarify the intent of Portland City Codes or create standards to comply with Portland City Codes.
- Accessory Short Term Rental Enforcement
- Accessory Short Term Rental Permit Compliance
- Bird-Safe Windows List
- Demolition Permanent Rule
- Determination of Rough Proportionality for Major Public Trail Requirements
- Energy Efficient Building Requirements for Planned Development Bonuses
- Erosion Control Manual
- Fees for Land Use Process
- Final Plat Notification Process
- Low Carbon Building Certification List
- Neighborhood Contact Sign
- Notification Requirements for Capping a Private Sewer that Crosses Adjacent Property Without a Recorded Easement
- Nuisance Plant Required Removal Program
- Parade Event Marking
- Permitting Original Art Murals
- Private Rights-of-Ways
- Recurring Environmental Violation Enforcement Process
- Replanting Requirements for Tree Removal
- Sign Code Enforcement Processes
- Special Inspection Program - Temporary Rules
- Title 29 Property Maintenance Regulations Permanent Rule
Code Guides
Code guides provide answers about the application of specific codes.
Business Practice Policies
Business Practice Policies are policies related to business operations of BDS and the Development Services Center at the discretion of the BDS Director
Program Guides
Program guides provide information on various complex BDS programs and processes.
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Program Guide
- Commercial Plumbing Plan Requirements - 10/1/06
- Commercial Reroof Permit Program - 12/01/12
- Draft Solar Program Guide: Solar Energy Systems for 1 & 2 Family Dwellings
- Electrical Master Permit Program - 12/1/11
- Electrical Plan Review - 10/1/06
- Facility Permit Program - 4/1/11
- Field Issuance Remodel Program
- Firestopping - 11/15/96
- Medical Gas & Vacuum System - 4/3/02
- Minor Mechanical Labels - 5/1/18
- Permit Extension, Abandonment, Expiration and Reactivation Program Guide
- Rain Gardens for Existing Impervious Area Located in Eastside Combined Sewer Basins - 04/14/14
- Rescinded Program Guides
- Residential Certificate of Occupancy and Temporary Certificate of Occupancy - 12/1/17
- Temporary Trade Permits - 2/1/16
- Use of Classrooms Located above the First Floor By Children in Grades K, 1 & 2 - 1/30/08
How to Request a Code Change
To request a change to the City Codes that BDS administers and enforces, send us an email and choose “Code Change Recommendation” in the subject menu.