For builders and developers in Portland, Oregon, the challenge is not always meeting the city’s building and design requirements. It can also be knowing how those requirements will be interpreted during the approval process. David Moore, CEO of Equity Advantage, and Jose Cienfuegos, president of the Revitalize Portland Coalition, see a need for clearer, more predictable Portland development codes so builders know what to expect. When approval decisions are subjective, projects can become harder to plan, more expensive, and slower to complete.
When Subjective Approvals Create Expensive Surprises
Some decisions about a building will always involve judgment. The problem comes when a developer can follow a project through the process and still face a major change because someone simply does not like how part of the building looks.
Jose recalls an example of a Portland building where, as he understands it, an approval board objected to the appearance of the windows after they had been installed. The owner reportedly had to replace every window, at a cost estimated in the millions of dollars. He is careful to acknowledge that he may not have every detail of the story, but the example gets at his larger concern: when standards are subjective, builders may have a difficult time knowing what will ultimately be approved.
Portland Development Codes Need More Predictability
Jose sees a strange contrast when he looks around Portland. On Woodstock, he sees an area with tremendous potential for development, yet some of the projects being approved strike him as uninspired. On Foster, meanwhile, he sees buildings going up that he finds much more interesting.
Those are personal judgments about design, but they lead back to a practical question: if an approval process depends heavily on subjective opinions, does it actually produce more consistent results?
For David and Jose, builders need to know what standards their projects will be expected to meet. More predictable Portland development codes would make those requirements clearer before a project gets too far down the road. That does not mean every building needs to look the same, but the path to approval should be clear enough that developers can plan around it.
Getting From Thought to Shovel Faster
Predictability is only part of the concern. Speed matters too. Jose argues that Portland needs to fast-track the development process and dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to move a project from an idea to actual construction.
Jose describes the goal as going from “thought to shovel.” In his view, that process should take half, or even a quarter, of the time it takes now.
Portland needs a development process where builders know the standards upfront and can move through approvals more quickly. More predictable codes and fewer delays could make it easier for projects to move from an idea to actual construction.
Creating a Better Environment for Investment in Portland
Development does not happen in a vacuum. When builders face unclear standards, unexpected changes, and long approval timelines, those obstacles can influence whether a project moves forward at all. David and Jose believe a more predictable development process could make Portland a stronger place to invest, build, and improve property, helping to create the kind of growth the city needs to move forward.
If you are considering a real estate investment or transaction in Portland, contact Equity Advantage to talk through your goals and get expert advice before you plan your next move.
The Guys With All The Answers…
David and Thomas Moore, the co-founders of Equity Advantage & IRA Advantage
Whether working through a 1031 Exchange with Equity Advantage, acquiring real estate with an IRA through IRA Advantage or listing investment property through our Post 1031 property listing site, we are here to help Investors get where they want to be. Call them today! 503-635-1031.
FAQs About Portland Development Codes
What is the concern with Portland’s current development codes?
The concern is that subjective approval decisions can make it difficult for builders to know what to expect, potentially leading to costly changes and delays.
Why does predictability matter for Portland development?
Predictability gives builders a clearer idea of the standards a project will need to meet before they invest more time and money in moving it forward.
What changes could make Portland’s development process easier to navigate?
Clearer standards and faster approvals could help builders better understand requirements, plan projects with more confidence, and reduce costly delays.
