Portland Expands Deconstruction Ordinance

In 2016, Portland, OR passed the first deconstruction ordinance in the United States. After a successful first three years, the city expanded the scope of the ordinance.

Effective on and after January 20, 2020 permit applications for the demolition of a house or duplex built in 1940 or earlier will be required to deconstruct using a Certified Deconstruction Contractor. Since October of 2016, the deconstruction ordinance has applied to houses and duplexes built in 1916 or earlier (or designated historic regardless of age).

Only the year-built threshold changes on January 20th. Houses and duplexes designated as a historic resource, even if built after 1940, will continue to require deconstruction. A copy of the adopted code can be found in the Deconstruction Program.