Oregon Development Fees Rise Again

Which Oregon Development Fees Increased for 2026?

As 2026 approaches, multiple Oregon agencies are resetting fee schedules to keep pace with rising operating costs and widening budget gaps.

City and County Development Fee Jumps

Portland and Washington County

Portland Permitting and Development increased most service fees 5 percent, influencing commercial permits and routine inspection fees. These Portland fee increases took effect July 1, 2025.

Washington County raised many Building Services and Development Review charges 8.5 percent.

It also introduced valuation based planning and code compliance fees. When federal shutdowns disrupt mortgage approvals, added local cost pressures can compound housing market slowdowns.

Statewide Recreation and Environmental Costs

Parks, Fish, and Water Quality

Oregon State Parks doubled resident annual parking permits to $60 and set out of state permits at $75 amid a $14 million shortfall.

ODFW licenses rise 12 to 14 percent in 2026.

DEQ rules allow up to 3 percent adjustments with select higher increases.

When 2026 Oregon Development Fees Apply (Deadlines and Triggers)

Because Oregon development fees are assessed at specific filing and effective date triggers, the same project can price differently depending on when an application is received or deemed complete.

Deadlines

Oregon City shifted planning fees on January 1, 2026.

Philomath updated building permit fees on February 10, 2026.

Beaverton refreshed its fee schedule in February 2026.

Portland rates began on July 1, 2025.

Portland has also pursued targeted cost relief such as waiving System Development Charges to help keep housing projects moving despite permitting and land use complexity.

Multnomah County’s unincorporated area adopted changes on July 17, 2025, which also affected pricing.

Code and Refund Triggers

The 2025 structural and mechanical codes took effect on October 1, 2025.

A code phase-in runs through March 31, 2026.

Mandatory use of the 2025 codes begins on April 1, 2026.

Refund policies matter when filings are withdrawn.

Oregon City returns 75% before completeness, 50% before notice, and none after notice.

Oregon Removal-Fill Permit Fees for 2026 (New Schedule)

While many site and waterway scopes remain unchanged, Oregon Department of State Lands removal fill permit pricing resets on January 1, 2026.

2026 Reset and Processing Rules

Fees apply to applications postmarked or received on or after January 1, 2026.

Submittals received by December 31, 2025, keep 2025 pricing.

A five-year schedule increases rates each January 1 through 2030.

This shifts program funding from 60 percent cost recovery in 2026 to 80 percent by 2030.

It also includes a 5 percent inflation adjustment.

Key 2026 Fee Points

Type A base removal fill permits start at $7,744.

Renewals are $400, in-water work variances are $100, and modifications or transfers are $400.

Tier fees follow completeness review and are due 25 days before a decision.

This timing can shape compliance strategies.

Portland Oregon Development Fees: 2026 Transportation SDCs

Portland’s transportation system development charges set a volatile cost baseline for projects scheduled through June 30, 2026.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Residential rate shock

Single-family homes 1,200 square feet or more: $3,395 per dwelling.

Single-family homes 1,199 square feet or less: $1,698.

Multifamily units: $1,671.

Senior or care facilities: $861 per dwelling or bed.

Disruption in funding and equity

Transportation SDCs cover 30% of expansion costs on average.

Grants, gas tax, and other sources fill the gaps.

Charges reflect 10-year growth trips using trip generation statistics.

Overlay areas may add fees.

A July 2025 unanimous council vote created a three-year residential moratorium.

It is projected to reduce revenue by $63 million while targeting 5,000 units.

The shift intensifies equity impacts.

It also adds to the ongoing debate over transit access.

Wilsonville Oregon Development Fees: 2026 Permits and SDC Updates

As Wilsonville prepares 2026 permit and system development charge (SDC) updates, escalating utility infrastructure costs are moving from long-range planning into near-term project budgets.

SDC resets are influencing deal timing.

Water SDC Disruption

Water SDCs rose in 2019 to $9,600 per MCE from $5,995 after rates sat unchanged since 2000.

Average single-family SDC cost is $61,491 including a 5/8-inch meter.

2026 Sewer and Stormwater Upheaval

Sewer SDCs are proposed to climb to $17,321 per single-family home in 2026 after the previous adjustment in 2014.

Stormwater SDCs are proposed at $3,532, up from $2,432, tied to over $240 million in 20-year capital projects.

Inflation adjustments are expected in later years.

Review Track

A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2025, with community outreach and payment alternatives.

Assessment

Oregon’s 2026 fee schedules deepen cost pressure for housing, industrial, and infrastructure development projects statewide.

Higher removal fill charges, Portland transportation SDCs, and Wilsonville permit updates raise total budgets materially.

Timing rules tied to application intake and issued permits create sudden pricing shifts at key thresholds.

Developers and lenders face tighter pro formas as public fee burdens move ahead of revenues.

Jurisdiction specific schedules and indexing provisions keep uncertainty elevated through 2026 permitting and financing cycles.

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