Portland's System Development Charge (SDC) waiver for ADUs ended December 31, 2023. As of 2024, ADUs pay SDCs based on size but typically at reduced rates compared to full-size dwellings. Standard SDCs cover transportation, parks, water, sewer, and stormwater. Permit fees through BDS apply separately. Total SDCs for a new ADU range from approximately $11,000 to $19,000.
Portland's celebrated ADU SDC waiver program (2010-2023) ended on December 31, 2023, after permitting roughly 6,500 ADUs. Beginning January 1, 2024, ADUs pay System Development Charges that fund infrastructure: Transportation SDC (PBOT), Parks SDC (Parks and Recreation), Water SDC (Portland Water Bureau), Sanitary Sewer SDC (BES), and Stormwater SDC (BES). Total SDCs for a typical new ADU range from $11,000 to $19,000 depending on size and location. Portland Permit Bureau permit fees scale to construction valuation (roughly $7-8 per $1,000 valuation plus base fees). Multnomah County School Construction Excise Tax applies (approximately $1.50 per sq ft as of 2024). Affordable ADUs deed-restricted to low-income occupancy may qualify for SDC exemptions through the Inclusionary Housing program. State Construction Excise Tax (CET) also applies on new residential construction.
Failure to pay SDCs prevents BDS from issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. Construction without paying assessed SDCs may result in liens on the property. Underreporting ADU size or construction value to reduce SDCs constitutes fraud and can void permits.
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See how Portland's adu impact fees rules stack up against other locations.
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