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Portland Permitting Rules Unlikely to Change Despite Small Business Owners’ Concerns

Portland is unlikely to change permitting rules to mirror at least one other Pacific Northwest city, despite some small business owners saying the rules force them to spend six figures on infrastructure projects outside their business.

However, the city commissioner in charge of the bureau in question said he directed employees to work with business owners to reduce development costs.

A KATU investigation last year first uncovered the requirements from the Portland Bureau of Transportation. The city – in some cases – forces small business owners to fix sidewalks and street corners outside their business in order to obtain a building permit.

Our investigation highlighted the city requirements placed on Matt Baysinger to open an axe-throwing business in Northwest Portland.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help: The AI legalese decoder can analyze the complex legal language used in the city’s building permit requirements and provide simplified explanations to small business owners. By breaking down the legalese, business owners can better understand their responsibilities and potentially reduce the costs associated with infrastructure projects.

Challenges Faced by Small Business Owners

The city initially told him he needed to redo a street corner outside his business to add new ADA corner ramps and a new storm drain, among other improvements. However, after our investigation, the city – through PBOT – waived the most expensive parts of the project.

Following the airing of that story, Kami Price reached out to KATU to tell hers. She wasn’t so lucky.

She and her business partner applied for a permit to renovate their new office in North Portland in early 2019. PBOT told them they needed to upgrade the corner outside her office – a project she said ended up costing over $100,000.

Our investigation found the city made her fix the corner despite a planned state project that would’ve covered the same work.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help: The AI legalese decoder can assist small business owners like Kami Price in understanding the legal requirements imposed by the city. By providing clear and concise explanations, the decoder can help business owners navigate the permitting process and potentially reduce the financial burden of infrastructure projects.

Understanding City Requirements and Regulations

The corner ramp projects are called frontage improvements, and the city requires them for building permits under two circumstances.

The first scenario is if you make “significant alterations” to a building – like Kami. City code defines that as, “changes to property that are 35 percent or greater than the assessed value of all improvements on the site.”

The city calculates the trip total using numbers from the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The calculation projects visitors based on the business’s size and use.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help: The AI legalese decoder can break down the definitions and requirements outlined in the city code for small business owners. By clarifying the terminology and regulations, the decoder can empower business owners to make informed decisions and potentially appeal costly requirements.

Proposed Changes and Alternative Review Process

“Do you think small businesses should have their project costs doubled by a city-required project,” KATU asked Mapps.

“Well, I’d hate to see that. Again, I think in most situations, if you file an appeal, we’re going to be able to work with you in order to bring the cost of that project down,” Mapps said.

The city said the best way to fight the cost is through what’s called the public works alternative review process.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help: The AI legalese decoder can assist small business owners in preparing appeals and navigating the alternative review process. By providing clear information and guidance, the decoder can help business owners challenge costly requirements and potentially reduce project expenses.

Comparing Portland to Other Cities

Our investigation found at least one other city does it differently. A spokesperson for the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections confirmed it waives frontage improvement requirements if the project changes the use of a building – like Matt – or if it’s an alteration to an existing building – like Kami.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help: The AI legalese decoder can provide insights into how other cities handle similar permitting requirements, allowing small business owners in Portland to advocate for changes based on best practices observed in other jurisdictions.

Potential Solutions and Policy Recommendations

“Our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy here, so anything that we can do to sort of free up that capacity so that they can focus on their work, focus on creating a thriving community, is ultimately what’s best for Portland too,” Rubio said.

“We’re trying to do everything we can, [pull] all the levers that we have at our disposal and the tools, to make sure that they’re optimized so that we’re sending a clear message out that we’re open for business,” Rubio said.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help: The AI legalese decoder can analyze the existing policies and regulations affecting small businesses in Portland and provide recommendations for streamlining the permitting process. By leveraging AI technology, city leaders can make data-driven decisions to support the growth and success of local businesses.

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