Portland, OR Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Portland Permitting & Development
- Permit expires
- no inspection in 180 days
- Special inspectors
- required for Chapter 24.20 work
- Violation remedy
- written stop-work order
Summary
Portland requires an inspection of all permitted construction work, scheduled by the permit holder, before the City Administrator will approve each stage of the project and let work proceed.
All permitted work is subject to inspection by the City Administrator, and certain work may have continuous inspection by special inspectors as specified in Chapter 24.20. ... The City Administrator, upon notification from the permit holder or the permit holder's agent, will either approve of those portions of the construction requiring inspection or will notify the permit holder, or the permit holder's agent, in writing, wherein the same fails to comply with the provisions of this Title.
Full Breakdown
Every permit issued under Portland's Building Regulations title is subject to inspection by the City Administrator, acting through Portland Permitting & Development, and certain structural work requires continuous special inspection under Chapter 24.20. The permit holder or their agent notifies the city when a phase of work is ready; the City Administrator then approves it or notifies the holder in writing of what fails to comply. If no inspection is approved within 180 days of permit issuance, the permit expires and a new one is required. Uncorrected violations can also trigger a stop-work order.
Violations & Fines
Failure to correct a noted violation can bring a written stop-work order under § 24.10.060(C), halting all activity except the correction itself until the City Administrator gives written approval to resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who inspects permitted construction in Portland?
What happens if I miss an inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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Building Inspections in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle building inspections.