Portland, OR Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Portland City Code Ch. 29.40
- Enforcing agency
- Portland Permitting & Development
- Illegal reentry penalty
- $500 fine or 6 months jail
- Unpaid costs become
- a lien on the property
- Appeal body
- Code Hearings Officer, Title 22
Summary
Portland City Code Chapter 29.40 declares any structure that endangers life, health, or safety a "dangerous structure," and the City Administrator can order repair, vacation, or demolition, with unpaid costs becoming a lien on the property.
All structures or portions of them that are determined after inspection by the City Administrator to be dangerous as defined in this Title are declared to be public nuisances and will be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal in accordance with the procedures specified in this Title. If the City Administrator determines that a structure is dangerous, as defined by this Title, the City Administrator may commence proceedings to cause the repair, vacation, demolition, or warehousing of the structure.
Full Breakdown
Under Portland City Code § 29.40.020, a building is a "dangerous structure" when defects such as weakened structural members, fire hazards, collapse risk, or code violations endanger life, health, property, or public safety. Section 29.40.030 declares dangerous structures public nuisances and lets the City Administrator order repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal. The City Administrator can vacate a structure immediately if it poses immediate danger (§ 29.60.070), and unlawfully re-entering a vacated building is punishable by up to a $500 fine or six months in jail. Unpaid abatement costs and enforcement fees become liens against the property under § 29.70.010 and § 29.70.030.
Violations & Fines
Failure to repair or vacate a dangerous structure lets Portland Permitting & Development demolish it; costs and penalties become a lien on the property, and re-entering a vacated building risks a $500 fine or six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building "dangerous" under Portland's code?
What happens if I don't fix a dangerous structure?
Can I re-enter a building the city has vacated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle property blight.