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Performance warehouse
IndicatorMeasure #100716951Value #104211894

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

Total number of building permits for commercial and residential issued

A complete source packet for this Performance Portland measure: current value, official scale, history, narrative notes, context, and links.

1

Start with value

Use the latest official value and current trend as the first read.

2

Check why it matters

We can think of building permits as the community's "to-do" list for construction.

3

Use the source packet

Continue to the chart, official notes, topic links, source URLs, and full history table.

History

Official values

This chart uses the official actual values cached from ClearImpact. The latest point is highlighted; the table below preserves every raw row.

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Latest

6,442

FY 2024 - 25

First shown

5,110

FY 2020 - 21

Change shown

1,332

Within visible history

-7731,2243,2215,2187,215FY 215,110FY 22FY 23FY 24FY 256,442X-axis: reporting period. Y-axis: official actual value.

Full source history

Every cached ClearImpact row for this measure.

PeriodActualTargetTrend
FY 2024 - 256,442—1
FY 2023 - 245,532—-1
FY 2022 - 236,140—1
FY 2021 - 226,041—1
FY 2020 - 215,110—0

Narrative Tabs

Official Performance Portland notes

Why Is This Important?

We can think of building permits as the community's "to-do" list for construction. This data shows the total annual number of issued commercial and residential permits (including additions, alterations, demolition, interior alterations, manufactured home, move, new construction and repair fire damage). By looking at the number of permits issued, we gain insight into Portland's economic growth because they are often leading indicators of future construction activity, investment, and economic confidence.

What Do The Numbers Show?

The number of building permits issued is one metric that helps us understand the City's economic health, and has generally increased over time, reflecting broader trends of economic growth. FY 2024-25 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025) saw an increase of 16% in the number of issued permits from the previous fiscal year (FY 2023-24), this may be due in part to an increase in Residential Alteration permits particularly solar installations which will lose the federal tax credit on December 31, 2025. FY 2020-21 (July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021) saw a decline likely attributed to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. While FY 2023-24 also experienced a decrease, this downturn is likely attributed to a combination of factors including financing challenges, population growth below anticipated levels, and the cost advantages of purchasing existing buildings versus new construction.

How Did We Arrive at These Numbers?

Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) manages building permits, land use, inspections, code enforcement, and public works permits to ensure our built environment is safe and accessible. Permitting data is collected in the City of Portland's software system that manages the entire permitting lifecycle, from application submission to final inspection. This data represents the total number of commercial and residential permits (additions, alterations, and new construction) submitted through completion of all required reviews and quality control process. Once the final permit fees are paid, the permit can be issued.

Where Can I Find More Information?

Detailed information about the number of residential and commercial building permits is available on Permit Review Dashboard and is updated weekly . For instructions on applying for a residential or commercial permit, visit the Apply for permits webpage. Not sure if you need a permit? Visit the Do you need a permit? webpage.

updated weeklyApply for permits Do you need a permit?