The Plans Examiner • News from Portland Permitting & Development
January 2026

City of Portland Announces Eric Kutch as Director of Portland Permitting & Development

Kutch will lead the City’s permitting organization, formed in 2024 to streamline permitting and development review services with a more customer-focused lens.

Digital Services wraps up collaboration with Permitting & Development, builds foundation for further improvements

As the Digital Services team completes a year-long collaboration with PP&D to improve the permitting website experience, it summarizes the highlights of this work and takes a look at this project by the numbers.

Public testimony invited on a recommendation to increase the supply of affordable housing

The latest draft of the Affordable Housing Opportunities Project was released for public testimony. The project is scheduled for a hearing at City Council’s Homelessness and Housing Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Draft proposals released encouraging housing production and economic recovery in the Central City

The Central City Code Amendments Project aims to address post-pandemic challenges in downtown Portland, focused on encouraging more housing and facilitating economic recovery and revitalization. Public comments on the Discussion Draft are welcome through Friday, Feb. 13.

Learn more about the ABCs of Land Use: An Introduction to Portland Zoning

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is partnering with the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods to host a free learning event on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Portland Housing Bureau funds helped open 928 affordable homes in 2025

PHB-deployed funds from voter-approved sources include the Portland Housing Bond, the Metro Housing Bond, the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), as well as Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.

Drain your swamp coolers: Preparing specialized plumbing equipment for winter weather

When temperatures are at or below freezing, water pipes can freeze or break. Multifamily and commercial properties often have specialized plumbing equipment (like swamp coolers) and may need to take extra steps to protect them from cold temperatures.

Extra erosion control measures are now required

From Oct. 1 through April 30, greater care must be taken to ensure dirt and sediments don’t leave construction sites that involve ground-disturbing activity.

New 2025 Oregon Structural Specialty Code and Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code editions took effect Oct. 1

Please take note that previous codes from 2022 will be phased out as of April 1, 2026.

Upcoming public meetings and hearings

• Design Commission: Thursday, Jan. 22, 1:30 p.m.
• Historic Landmarks Commission: Monday, Jan. 26, 1:30 p.m.
• Planning Commission: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 5 p.m.
• Design Commission: Thursday, Jan. 29, 1:30 p.m.
• Design Commission: Thursday, Feb. 5, 1:30 p.m.
• Historic Landmarks Commission: Monday, Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m.
• Planning Commission: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 12:30 p.m.

Permitting & Development quick links

• Development Services Center
• 15-Minute Appointments: Free Building Permit and Zoning Help
• Request an Inspection (Online or by Phone)
• Search for Land Use Review Cases
• Search for Development Projects in Your Area
• Find Public Records
• Check Permit Timelines
• Check the Status of a Building Permit
• Apply or Pay for a Permit Online