Building Safety in Portland, OR (2026)

Portland City Code § 29.30.260(A)

Any paint(s), veneers, varnishes, or similar pigmented sealers or finishes applied to any surface of a residential structure must be lead free, in compliance with the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission's 1978 ban on the use of paint containing lead in residential properties.

Portland City Code § 31.20.100

The owners of five-story apartment buildings of Type V-A construction approved under Chapter 24.95 of this Code are responsible for ensuring that the fire and life-safety systems required by Portland City Code Title 24 are maintained in an operable condition at all times. Approved persons must conduct quarterly tests of such systems; a written record must be maintained and be available to the i...

Portland City Code § 29.30.100(C), (D)(1)

C. Every door to the exterior of a dwelling unit must be equipped with a lock designed to discourage unwanted entry and to permit opening from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort. D. Every exterior door must comply with the following: 1. Every exterior door, door hinge, door lock, and strike plate must be maintained in good condition. 2. Every exterior door...

Portland City Code § 33.110.210

Floor area ratios (FAR) work with height, setback, and building coverage requirements to control the overall bulk and placement of buildings. The maximum FAR allowances have been calibrated by zone to: • Define the character of each zone by establishing greater FAR allowances in the higher intensity zones; • Encourage the provision of additional dwelling units within existing neighborhoods by...

Portland City Code § 29.30.245

A. Existing rental dwelling units must have one or more carbon monoxide (CO) alarm(s) installed in compliance with state Fire Marshal rules and the state building code and maintained per the Oregon Revised Statutes 90.317, if the rental dwelling unit: 1. Contains a carbon monoxide source; or 2. Is located within a structure that contains a carbon monoxide source and the dwelling unit is conne...

Portland City Code § 33.110.220

3. The following minor features of a building may extend into the entire required building setbacks: ... e. Decks, stairs and ramps that are no more than 2-1/2 feet above the ground. However, stairways and wheelchair ramps that lead to one entrance on the street-facing façade of a building are allowed to extend into the required setback from a street lot line regardless of height above ground; and

Portland City Code § 26.04.010

An electrical permit must be obtained prior to commencing any work for which an electrical permit is required. Exception: Emergency or unanticipated electrical work may be started under a temporary permit provided the nature of the work, and the procedure followed by the contractor, meet the requirements of ORS 479.550 and OAR 918-309-0080. B. Electrical permits are not required for the follo...

Portland City Code § 25.05.010

a permit, or minor label as outlined in Section 25.04.040, must be obtained for the installation, construction, alteration, or repair of any plumbing or sewage system, fire hose valve, water supply system, water supply well, rainwater harvesting system, sewage holding tank, fire hose cabinet, or the installing of any device if the device requires either water supply, or waste connection to drai...

Portland City Code § 24.10.060

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...