Multnomah County, OR

Common application types

• Building Plans for Zoning Review
• Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS)
• Pre-Filing or Pre-Application Request
• Type I Application
• Type II or III Application
• Lot of Record Verification
• Property Line Adjustment
• Significant Environmental Concern
• Geologic Hazards Permit
• Floating Structure Placement

New homes and additions

Before submitting, a Planner on Duty provides a property-specific zoning checklist, and any required land use permits must be approved first. Zoning Plan Review submittals go through the permit portal and include the Type I-IV application form, site plan, floor plan, building elevations, service provider review forms and any other checklist items, all digital and drawn to scale (engineering or architectural scale). An application is not received until fees are paid, and the assigned planner sends a status update within 30 days.

Land use review

Type I applications cover proposals that do not require discretion, while Type II and III allow discretion in applying standards. A Pre-Filing Meeting is required before a Type II application and a Pre-Application Meeting before a Type III application. Some unincorporated areas are administered under the Portland Zoning Code by Portland Permitting & Development, which requires a pre-application conference for Type III reviews there.

Tips from SASHKOV

• Use the county's zoning maps to confirm whether a property is inside a city before starting.
• Request a zoning checklist from the Planner on Duty (land.use.planning@multco.us) before submitting plans for zoning review.
• Building permits are issued by Portland (west and north of Portland, Jenne Lane, and off 162nd south of Foster), Gresham (Pleasant Valley and east of Gresham) or Troutdale (Interlachen Lane, Blue Lake Road).

Where to apply

Permitting authority: Department of Community Services, Land Use Planning. Online submittals: Permit Portal for Land Use Planning.