In a move to recoup operational costs and streamline the payment process, Portland's Development Services has resumed the collection of intake fees for small project permits, officials announced. Starting March 25, residential and commercial projects deemed 'small'—due to their less complex nature—are subject to an initial fee as they enter the review queue, a departure from the temporary COVID-era practice that had deferred these charges.

The shift comes after a pandemic-induced backlog forced the Development Services Center to innovate. When paper applications clogged the system and delayed setups for months, the agency decided not to charge intake fees upfront, allowing what it considered limited-scope permits to be processed more swiftly. Nevertheless, this practice resulted in hours of work, by City permit technicians and plan reviewers that went unpaid, leaving the city out of pocket for services rendered, according to a statement on the city's website.

The present change signals a return to more traditional procedures and a reflection of improved digital capabilities. Nearly all permit applications are now received through Development Hub PDX, with upgraded workflows facilitating an efficient review system. This means that, similar to other building permits, small project fees will again be collected at the outset.

Officials are keen to emphasize that the modified fee structure will not hike the overall cost of these permits. It simply reallocates when during the application process the city retrieves some of the costs associated with setting up and reviewing the permit applications and plans. Additionally, the update intends to secure the financial sustainability of Development Services by ensuring they collect fees owed for their upfront work. Customers left confused by the policy update are being directed to call 503-823-7300 for clarification from a permit technician.