Multnomah County, OR Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Complaint to Health Department
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
- Owner's unit
- Exempt if owner-occupied building
- Fix deadline
- 30 days after notice
- Max daily penalty
- $250 per day
Summary
Multnomah County's Health Department inspects rental units in unincorporated areas only after a tenant or resident files a complaint, not on a routine schedule.
(A) The director may conduct both internal and external inspections resulting from a complaint submitted to the department in accordance with department procedures. (B) The director may initiate a complaint based upon reasonable belief of conditions that pose an imminent danger to the health and safety of the occupants and conduct both internal and external inspections based thereon. (C) Any inspection of an owner-occupied dwelling containing one or more residential rental units will not include inspection of the owner's unit.
Full Breakdown
Under the Residential Rental Property Maintenance Code, the Health Department director may conduct internal and external inspections of a rental unit only when triggered by a complaint filed with the department, or on the director's own initiative if there's reasonable belief of an imminent health or safety danger. If the unit is in an owner-occupied building, the owner's own living space is off-limits to the inspection. This program covers only unincorporated Multnomah County -- rental units inside Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview or Wood Village fall under those cities' own housing codes, not this one.
Violations & Fines
Owners who don't fix a confirmed violation within 30 days face a civil penalty up to $250 per day, plus possible abatement at the owner's cost or a vacate order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my Multnomah County rental inspected?
Does this cover rentals in Portland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon rental inspections overview
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