7 de octubre de 2026 · Ordinance · 2026-300

Amend Fire Regulations Fee Schedule (amend Portland Policy Document FIR-12.01)

Resumen en lenguaje sencillo

City updates fire permit and inspection fees to cover more costs

This updates the fees Portland Fire & Rescue charges for permits, inspections, plan reviews and other fire safety services. Some fees go up so they better match what the services actually cost, and less money comes from the city's main tax-funded budget (the General Fund). It removes the fee for selling or storing fireworks, since fireworks are banned, and adds new fees for fire system testing and maintenance and for a yearly laser display permit.

Decision: Passed with changes, 9 to 2. One member was absent.
Who it affects: People, businesses and builders who apply for fire permits, inspections or event reviews, such as for construction, hazardous materials, public gatherings or special events.
Money: Some permit and inspection fees will rise. Specific amounts are listed in an exhibit not included here. Extra revenue will help pay for inspection, plan review, permitting and code enforcement staff and costs. The amount will depend on how many permits and inspections are requested.
Next: The new fees take effect after the council's passage.
Official record

Escrito por IA a partir del registro oficial y revisado automáticamente. 7 de octubre de 2026

Resumen en lenguaje sencillo

City updates fire permit and inspection fees to cover more costs

This updates the fees Portland Fire & Rescue charges for permits, inspections, plan reviews and other fire safety services. Some fees go up so they match what the services actually cost, which means less tax money from the city's main budget (the General Fund) pays for them. It removes the fee for selling or storing fireworks, since fireworks were banned in 2022, and adds new fees for fire system inspection and testing and for a yearly laser display permit.

Decision: Moved forward to a second vote, with changes. No vote count was given.
Who it affects: Builders, businesses, event organizers and others who apply for fire permits, inspections or reviews will pay the updated fees.
Money: Some permit and inspection fees will increase. The extra money pays for inspection, plan review, permitting and code enforcement staff and operations. The material does not list specific fee amounts.
Next: Second reading (a second council vote) on October 7, 2026 at 9:30 am.
Official record

Escrito por IA a partir del registro oficial y revisado automáticamente. 30 de septiembre de 2026

Resumen en lenguaje sencillo

Fire department fees for permits and inspections set to rise

This updates the fees Portland Fire & Rescue charges for permits, inspections, plan reviews and other fire safety services so they cover more of the real cost. It drops the permit fee for selling or storing fireworks, since the city banned fireworks in 2022, and adds new fees for fire system inspection, testing and maintenance and for a yearly laser display permit. It does not change fire safety rules.

Decision: Rescheduled to a later meeting at this session. City records list the ordinance as passed.
Who it affects: People and businesses that apply for fire permits, inspections or plan reviews, such as builders, property owners, event organizers and businesses with hazardous materials.
Money: Fees will rise for some permits and inspections. The extra money will help pay for inspection, plan review and permit staff and costs, and reduce how much the city's General Fund (its main tax-supported budget) pays for these services. No specific amounts are given.
Next: New fees take effect after the Council passes the ordinance.
Official record

Escrito por IA a partir del registro oficial y revisado automáticamente. 23 de septiembre de 2026

Full title: Amend Fire Regulations Fee Schedule (amend Portland Policy Document FIR-12.01)
Status: Passed
Document number: 2026-300
Introduced by: Mayor Keith Wilson
City department: Portland Fire & Rescue
Requested council date: October 7, 2026
Is Portland policy: Portland Policy Document
Purpose and background: The proposed ordinance updates the Fire Regulations Fee Schedule to better align fees with the actual cost of providing fire prevention services. The proposal supports continued delivery of high-quality life safety services while improving cost recovery and reducing the subsidy of regulatory services by the General Fund. The proposal does not create new regulations or expand the scope of Fire Code enforcement. It updates fees for existing services already required under the Portland Fire Code, Oregon Fire Code, Portland City Code Title 31, and other applicable regulations.
Financial and budgetary impacts: The proposed amendments are expected to increase cost recovery for Fire Prevention services. Additional revenue generated through the revised fee schedule will: Offset personnel and operating costs associated with inspections, plan review, permitting, and code enforcement. Reduce reliance on General Fund support for services provided to specific applicants and regulated businesses. Improve long-term financial sustainability of Fire Prevention operations. Support timely customer service and permit processing. Revenue generated will vary depending upon development activity, permit volume, inspection demand, and operational permit requests. The proposal does not require additional staffing or expenditure.
Economic and real estate impacts: Fire Prevention services support safe development by providing timely review of construction projects, fire protection systems, and occupancy approvals. Although some permit and inspection fees will increase, the proposal is expected to have minimal impact on overall project costs because fire prevention fees generally represent a very small percentage of total development costs. Benefits include: predictable and transparent fee structure; improved consistency with actual service delivery costs; continued timely plan review and inspections; enhanced reliability for development schedules. Maintaining adequately funded Fire Prevention services supports economic development by reducing permitting delays and ensuring safe occupancy of new and existing buildings.
Community impacts and community involvement: The proposed amendments support the City's public safety mission by ensuring adequate resources are available to provide fire prevention services that reduce the risk of injury, death, and property loss. Updated fees will help sustain: fire and life safety inspections; fire protection systems oversight; hazardous materials regulation; public assembly permitting; special event review; fire code compliance; community risk reduction activities. Because fees are generally paid by applicants requesting services, impacts on the general public are expected to be limited. The proposal promotes equitable allocation of costs by assigning a greater share of service costs to individuals and organizations directly benefiting from regulatory services.
100% renewable goal: Not applicable.

Texto completo

The City of Portland ordains. Section 1. The Council finds: Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) charges fees for permits, code enforcement inspections, fire reports and miscellaneous services to recover partial costs for PF&R Prevention and Emergency Operations programs. The fee schedule is in Portland Policy Document FIR-12.01. Many fees contained within FIR-12.01 have not been comprehensively updated to reflect the actual cost of providing services, including personnel, equipment, technology, administrative support, and overhead. The City's adopted budget directs bureaus to evaluate opportunities to improve cost recovery for regulatory services where appropriate and to reduce reliance on General Fund resources for services that primarily benefit permit applicants and regulated entities. Updating the Fire Regulations Fee Schedule promotes fiscal sustainability while maintaining high-quality customer service and timely permitting and inspection processes. The revised fee schedule was developed through an evaluation of actual service costs, workload analysis, comparison with peer jurisdictions, and consideration of customer impacts. On March 2, 2022, Ordinance 190728 was passed by City Council banning the sale and use of fireworks. The permit fee for retail storage or sale in structures or tents is being removed from the fee schedule. A fee has been added for inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire systems. A fee has been added for an annual laser display permit. Nothing in this Ordinance changes existing fire code requirements or creates new regulatory obligations. The amendments only revise the fees associated with existing services. Exhibit A shows proposed fee changes in red. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: Fire regulations fee schedule is hereby amended as shown in Exhibit A and shall be effective after its passage by the Council, or as authorized by previously adopted ordinance or resolution. Exhibit A is binding City policy.