Stop-Work Orders and Unpermitted Work in Portland

What the order means

Portland may issue a stop work order for work started without a required permit (Portland City Code 3.30.080). It is posted at the site, copied to the owner and effective when posted. All work stops except work that eliminates the violation, and it resumes only with written approval.

Deadlines

• If the order was issued in error, request a review in writing within 15 calendar days. The decision can be appealed to the Code Hearings Officer.

• Monthly code enforcement fees start once 30 calendar days have passed since the notice took effect.

What it costs

From the enforcement fee schedule effective July 10, 2026:

• Stop work order penalty: $763

• Investigation fee for work started before a permit: $161 minimum, $161 per hour

• Enforcement reinspection fee: $243

• Monthly code enforcement fee: $394 for 1 to 2 units, $590 for 3 to 10, $786 for 11 to 19, $981 for 20 or more. It doubles once a property has been in violation 3 months.

Unpaid fees plus a 10% charge are recorded as a lien in the City's docket until paid and the violations are certified corrected.

Legalizing the work

The process is the same as for new work, with an extra step at inspection. Plans show the existing unpermitted work as new, and covered work must be exposed; the inspector decides how much. Applications go through Development Hub PDX.

A buyer, realtor or lender may require unpermitted work to be permitted, corrected and inspected before closing, and insurers may refuse to cover it.

How SASHKOV handles it

• Reads the notice and sets the response dates in business days.

• Records existing conditions and prepares the as-built drawings.

• Brings in the structural engineer or other licensed professional the work needs, under one contract.

• Prepares the permit application, answers corrections and coordinates inspections through issuance.

More on Portland: the City of Portland breakdown.