What are Code Enforcement Liens?
- A lien is a fee or fine attached to a property that is out of compliance with the City of Portland’s building, property maintenance and/or zoning codes.
- Property owners receive multiple notifications, deadlines and waiver options before a lien is assessed.
- If a property has a lien on it, it may be difficult to sell, refinance or borrow against it.
- Liens do not expire; they are recorded on the City’s Lien Docket, and must be paid in full before they are satisfied and released by the City.
- If a lien is not paid within 365 days of assessment it is placed on the City of Portland’s pre-foreclosure list.
- The City of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services has $34,171,680 in outstanding liens.
- In 2018, BDS investigated 7,901 compliance cases and assessed 1,205 code enforcement liens.