Phone Numbers, Contacts & Homeowner Basics

Big Trees Need a Permit, Even on Your Own Lot

Portland regulates trees on private property as well as public ones. Removing a tree on private property generally needs an Urban Forestry permit once the trunk measures 12 inches or more in diameter at breast height, about four and a half feet off the ground. Smaller trees, and trees in certain overlay zones, follow different rules.

Before you call an arborist, read the city’s guide Do I need a permit to remove trees on private property? or call 503-823-TREE.

The Street Tree Is Yours to Look After

In Portland the tree in the planting strip is a street tree, and the adjacent property owner carries real responsibility for it.

• Pruning. A pruning permit from Urban Forestry is required before you trim a tree in the planting strip or right-of-way.
• Removal. Every street tree, of any size, needs a permit before it comes down.
• Clearance. Keeping trees and plants in the right-of-way from blocking visibility for drivers, cyclists and people walking is the adjacent owner’s job.
• Sidewalks. Repairing sidewalk damage caused by a street tree is also the adjacent owner’s responsibility. Repairs start with a sidewalk permit from the Portland Bureau of Transportation, and a root-pruning permit may be needed too.

The details are on the city’s page Trees and street visibility: who is responsible?

Four Containers, One Pickup Day

Single-family homes and plexes up to four units get curbside service from a private garbage company assigned to their area by the city. The standard setup is a blue roll cart for mixed recycling, a green roll cart for food scraps and yard debris, and a yellow bin for glass, all collected weekly, plus a black garbage cart collected every other week. You can choose a smaller garbage cart.

Look up your hauler and pickup day with the city’s Who picks up my garbage? tool, and see garbage service basics. Apartment buildings of five or more units and businesses arrange their own service.

One Bureau Now Handles Your Permits

Since July 1, 2024, building permits and the permitting teams from Transportation, Water, Environmental Services and Urban Forestry have been combined in one bureau, Portland Permitting & Development. Remodels, additions, garage conversions and trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) start there. Begin at portland.gov/ppd or call 503-823-7300.

ADUs Are Common, and They Need Permits

An accessory dwelling unit is a second, smaller home on a lot that already has a house, attached house, duplex or manufactured home. Converting a basement, attic or garage, or building a detached unit, takes a building permit plus trade permits. The city also offers pre-approved plans for detached ADUs. Keep in mind that an ADU usually raises a home’s assessed value, and property taxes are set by Multnomah County, not the city.

Start with the city’s accessory dwelling units page.

Short-Term Rentals Require a Resident Host

In residential zones, Portland treats short-term rentals as an accessory use of a home where someone actually lives.

• Residency. A long-term resident must live at the property at least 270 days a year.
• Type A permit. Renting up to two bedrooms to no more than five overnight guests.
• Type B conditional use. Renting three to five bedrooms, which goes through a land use review.
• Registration and listings. Hosts also register with the city’s Revenue Division for lodging taxes, and the permit or case number must appear in every listing.

Read the rules at portland.gov/ppd/astr-permits before you count on rental income.

Historic Districts Come With Design Review

Portland has nearly thirty historic, conservation and National Register districts, among them Irvington, Ladd’s Addition, South Portland and Skidmore/Old Town, plus individually designated landmarks. Additions, new construction and many exterior alterations to landmarks, or to houses inside these districts, go through Historic Resource Review so that changes don’t erase what makes a place significant. Houses are classed as contributing or non-contributing to their district, which affects how much review applies.

To check a property, search it on PortlandMaps or see the city’s historic and conservation districts page. For the architecture behind these neighborhoods, see Neighborhoods and Field Notes.