City codes

• Gresham Revised Code
• Development Code
• Property Maintenance Code

Nondiscrimination policies

• Nondiscrimination policies
  • Americans with Disabilities Act Title II
  • Hearing, interpretation and translation assistance
  • Civil Rights Title VI

Other governing documents

City Charter

Comprehensive Plan

Public Works Standards

Stormwater compliance manuals 

Building Permits and Inspections

Apply for a building permit online.

A permit is needed to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system.

When you obtain a permit, a certified inspector ensures the work is done safely and to code.

• Commercial building projects
• Residential building projects

Permit inspections

Schedule/cancel an inspection or get inspection results.

Inspections are performed daily between 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. If you place your request before 6:30 am, we will make every attempt to do a same-day inspection. Otherwise, inspections are conducted the next business day.

Cancel an inspection before 6:30 am on the day it's scheduled using the inspection scheduling system.

If you are canceling after 6:30 am on the day of the scheduled inspection, call 503-618-2845.

All Permit Forms

Note: Some minor building permits are available through our application and permit-tracking system. 

Contact us at 503-618-2845 if you cannot find a form from the list below.

• Agricultural burn permit
• Backyard chicken permit application
• Business license application
• Commercial renewable energy application
• Commercial/residential building permit application
• Construction trailer application
• Deferred submittal fees and checklist
• Demolition of total structure
• Development permit application
• Electrical permit application
• Film permit application
• Fire protection application
• Grading/fill permit application
• Home-based businesses
• Manufactured home application
• Marijuana business registration application
• Marijuana business registration for research and testing
• Mechanical permit application: commercial
• Mechanical permit application: residential
• Mobile home park license application
• Plumbing permit application: commercial interior
• Plumbing permit application: commercial site
• Plumbing permit application: medical gas
• Plumbing permit application: residential
• Pre-application conference form
• Residential renewable energy application
• Residential rental license application
• Right-of-way permit
• Right-of-way encroachment permit
• Seasonal sales stand application packet
• Second-hand or precious metal and gem dealers
• Sign permit application
• Small business permits
• Temporary water use/hydrant meter permit:
  Pick up an application at the City's Operations Center, located at 2123 SE Hogan Road. 
• Tree permits 
• Underground fire supply permit application

Business Licenses

Pay for a business license.

Types of business licenses

• Commercial business*: Conducted in a building or office, whether owned, rented or leased.
• Outside Gresham: For businesses located outside of Gresham, but conducting business in Gresham.
• Home-based business: Operated in a residential home or apartment.
• Independent contractor: Works for a business but not as an employee. The business does not pay unemployment, disability or workers' compensation insurance or withhold taxes from pay.
• Marijuana businesses: Marijuana business registration information, fees and tax forms.
• Mobile home park: Landowners with mobile homes on site that they don't own themselves.
• Payday lenders: Payday lenders located in Gresham must have the following:
  • City of Gresham business license
  • City of Portland payday lender permit
• Private property impound license: The private property impound ordinance regulates the towing of vehicles from private property without the vehicle owner's consent.
• Regional contractor business license Contractors or landscapers can buy a single license through Metro to construct, alter and repair requirements in 20 cities in the Portland metropolitan area.
• Rental housing: Required for all residential rental properties including rental homes, duplexes, mobile homes, apartments, condominiums or rooms in a lodging house. 
• Second hand or precious metal and gem dealer: Sellers of used and/or second-hand regulated property, or buyers and sellers of real and imitation metals and gemstones, such as gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and rubies.
• Seasonal business: Temporary enterprises, such as a fireworks stand or Christmas tree lot.
• Small business permits: Need a permit for your small business? The first step is to contact us. 

Non-profit organizations

*A non-profit organization must submit a commercial or home-based business license application, depending on business location. A 501(c)(3) document must be provided to the City in order to be considered for license fee waiver.

Additional information

• Gresham Revised Code Chapter 9: Business Licenses and Regulation
• Transient lodging tax requirements
• Licensing fees

The detailed municipality information displayed on this page is not a property of America's Building Records (ABR). This information is complied for your convenience from the municipality's official website. For the most up-to-date information please visit their official website.