Building Permits in Portland, Oregon
Part of Multnomah County.
We checked Portland's own official pages for 8 types of projects (shed, fence, deck, roof, pool, tree removal, solar panels, demolition). Permits are issued by City of Portland building department. Every rule below links to the page it was taken from, so you can confirm it before you start work. Last verified September 29, 2026.
Verified permit information is available for 1 project type in Portland.
Verified Permit Categories
- Demolition Permit Verified details
Portland rules in detail
Shed
- Exempt from a permit
- A shed or other non-habitable one-story detached accessory structure does not need a building permit if it is smaller than the size that would require a residential building permit. source: portland.gov
Fence
- Exempt from a permit
- A fence up to seven feet high built in compliance with Zoning Code fence requirements does not need a building permit. source: portland.gov
- Conditions
- A building permit is required to put up a fence more than seven feet high. source: portland.gov
Deck
- Exempt from a permit
- Building stairs, a patio, or a deck that is not more than 30 inches above grade does not need a building permit. source: portland.gov
- Conditions
- A building permit is required to build a deck more than 30 inches high. source: portland.gov
Roof
- Conditions
- A permit is required to reroof dwellings in Wildfire Zones, to reroof a townhouse, or to install building-integrated photovoltaic (solar) roof panels and other photovoltaic roof coverings. source: portland.gov
- Exempt from a permit
- Reroofing with a roofing material of similar weight, including replacement of some or all existing roof sheathing, does not need a building permit. source: portland.gov
Pool
- Conditions
- A building permit is required to install a barrier around any swimming pool or to construct an in-ground swimming pool. source: portland.gov
Tree Removal
- Conditions
- Tree planting, preservation, or related requirements may apply under Title 11, the Tree Code. source: portland.gov
Solar Panels
- Conditions
- Installation of solar panels or solar roof coverings requires a building permit. source: portland.gov
Demolition
- Size limit (sq ft)
- 200 source: portland.gov
- Height limit (ft)
- 15 source: portland.gov
Not yet verified
These permit categories do not yet have enough verified information to publish a linked permit page.
- Shed
- Fence
- Deck
- Roof
- Pool
- Patio
- Pergola
- Garage
- Carport
- Tree Removal
- Solar Panels
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Driveway
- ADU
- Home Addition
- Windows
- Water Heater
Where to apply
City of Portland building department · official website · apply online
Oregon statewide rules
State defaults apply everywhere in the state; cities and counties may add stricter local rules.
- Issued by
- Building Codes Division source: oregon.gov
- Local changes allowed
- Limited source: oregonlegislature.gov
- Building code
- 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code source: oregonlegislature.gov
Shed
- Exempt from a permit
- Small accessory buildings are on the state's director-designated exempt-items list and do not require a permit or fee under the state building code. source: oregonlegislature.gov
Roof
- Exempt from a permit
- Replacement or repair of roofing is on the state's director-designated exempt-items list and does not require a permit or fee under the state building code. source: oregonlegislature.gov
Driveway
- Exempt from a permit
- Driveways are on the state's director-designated exempt-items list and do not require a permit or fee under the state building code. source: oregonlegislature.gov