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Date ArticleType
6/30/2020 Member News

Portland’s Bureaus Respond to Development Downturn with Fee Freezes


In the City of Portland, the COVID-19 pandemic has sent new housing permit submissions into a tailspin. Year-over-year, the city has seen decreases of around 50 percent for both April and May. In response to this dramatic downturn, all city bureaus except Parks and Recreation, made strategic decisions to forgo annual development permit fee increases. Doing so will ensure that the building community does not face increased costs during this time of uncertainty.

Additionally, the city is continuing to advance the HBA-supported Expiration Date Extension Project, which the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will bring to the City Council next week. The project would amend the city’s zoning code to extend the expiration date of some land use reviews, final plats, and pre-application conferences; maintain inclusionary housing rates that are set to increase; and allow for virtual neighborhood contact meetings. HBA thanks the city for advancing these key policy initiatives, which will support builders and developers struggling through the pandemic. To learn more about our work with the City of Portland, contact Ezra Hammer at ezrah@hbapdx.org.