Pre-Application Conferences

Prior to any development review application, the applicant must have a pre-application conference with the Planning Department staff. The purpose of a pre-application conference allows:

(1) The applicant to present his/her ideas and desires for the project;

(2) Planning staff to review applicable provisions of the Community Development Code with the applicant;

(3) Other city departments such as engineering, fire, and parks to provide comments to the applicant if necessary;

(4) Planning staff to provide guidance and assistance to the applicant in preparing his/her application; and,

(5) Planning staff to explain the development review process to the applicant.

Pre-application conferences are not necessary for projects that require only a building permit. They are also not necessary for erosion control permits, lot line adjustments, home occupations, or sign permits.

However, any other type of development project requires a pre-application conference before submittal of the application. If you have questions as to whether your proposal requires a pre-application conference, please contact the Planning Department at 503-656-4211.

Pre-application conferences are held on the first and third Thursdays of every month. Meeting times are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis, between 8a.m. and 1:30p.m., and are at least one-half hour in length. The standard fee for a pre-application conference is $350.00; however, for a more complex application the fee is $1,000.00.

Appointments must be made at least two weeks prior to the meeting date, at which time the pre-application fee, preliminary proposal, and completed application form will need to be submitted. The property owner’s signature is required on the application form.

Contact the Planning Department at 503-656-4211 to schedule a pre-application conference appointment.