Change of Use Portland — Permits, Costs & Code Requirements

A change of use occurs when a building's occupancy classification changes under the Oregon Structural Specialty Code — for example, converting a retail store (Group M) to a restaurant (Group A-2) or a warehouse (Group S) to apartments (Group R-2). In Portland, any change in occupancy group triggers a permit review through the Bureau of Development Services (BDS), which evaluates whether the building meets current code requirements for the new use. This process protects occupants, ensures zoning compliance, and often requires structural, fire/life safety, accessibility, and mechanical upgrades before a new Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Portland's building stock — from historic Old Town warehouses to mid-century commercial strips along Sandy Boulevard and Division Street — makes change-of-use projects especially common here. Whether you're converting a church into an event venue, turning a house into a neighborhood café, or transforming industrial space into creative offices, understanding the permitting process and likely code upgrades saves months of delays and tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.

What Are Common Change of Use Scenarios in Portland?

The most common change-of-use projects in Portland fall into a handful of categories, each with distinct code and cost implications. Here are the scenarios we see most often as a Portland commercial contractor.

Residential to Commercial

Converting a house or duplex to an office, retail shop, or restaurant is one of the most frequent change-of-use projects along Portland's mixed-use corridors. A home operating as a residence is classified Group R under the Oregon building code. Changing it to an office (Group B), retail store (Group M), or restaurant (Group A-2) triggers a full occupancy reclassification. Common upgrades include ADA-accessible entry and restrooms, commercial-grade electrical panels, fire-rated separations if mixed uses remain, and often a complete plumbing overhaul — especially for restaurant conversions that require grease traps, three-compartment sinks, and hood ventilation.

Commercial to Residential

Office-to-apartment and warehouse-to-loft conversions have reshaped entire Portland neighborhoods — the Pearl District, Central Eastside, and Slabtown all grew through adaptive reuse of commercial and industrial buildings. Converting from Group B (office) or Group S (storage) to Group R (residential) typically requires adding bedrooms with egress windows, kitchen ventilation, sound isolation between units, and full residential fire sprinkler systems per NFPA 13R. Seismic upgrades are common in Portland's older unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, which must meet current lateral force requirements when occupancy changes.

Retail to Restaurant

Turning a retail space (Group M) into a restaurant (Group A-2) is deceptively complex. The occupancy classification shifts from mercantile to assembly, which triggers higher occupant load calculations, additional exit requirements, and upgraded fire suppression. The MEP scope alone can drive costs: restaurants need Type I or Type II commercial hood systems with fire suppression, grease traps connected to sanitary sewer, dedicated make-up air units, three-compartment sinks, and handwash stations per Oregon Health Authority requirements. A commercial kitchen buildout in an existing retail shell typically runs $80,000–$200,000+ depending on complexity.

Warehouse or Industrial to Creative Office or Event Space

Portland's Central Eastside Industrial District and inner SE neighborhoods have seen a wave of warehouse-to-office and warehouse-to-event-space conversions. Moving from Group S (storage) or Group F (factory/industrial) to Group B (business) or Group A (assembly) fundamentally changes the building's occupant load and egress requirements. A 5,000-square-foot warehouse classified for storage might have an occupant load of 25 people; reclassified as an event space, that same floor area could have an occupant load of 300+, requiring multiple exits, illuminated exit signs, emergency lighting, panic hardware on doors, and potentially a fire sprinkler system if one didn't exist.

Religious or Assembly to Commercial

Portland has dozens of former churches, lodges, and community halls that have been converted to restaurants, breweries, offices, and event venues. These buildings are often already classified Group A (assembly), but the sub-classification matters: a church (A-3) converting to a restaurant (A-2) requires commercial kitchen infrastructure, while a conversion to retail (Group M) changes egress calculations entirely. Historic churches in Portland often sit in residential zones, which adds a zoning overlay review to the permitting process.

Adding a Commercial Kitchen

Installing a commercial kitchen in any space — whether it's a church adding a catering kitchen, a brewery adding food service, or a community center upgrading from warming to full-service cooking — triggers specific code requirements regardless of whether the occupancy group changes. Commercial kitchens require Type I hood systems with Ansul fire suppression, grease interceptors, dedicated ventilation and make-up air, upgraded electrical service (often 200A+ three-phase), and floor drains with proper slope. In Portland, the permitting process for commercial kitchens involves BDS mechanical, plumbing, and electrical reviews plus Oregon Health Authority plan review.

What Does Portland Require for a Change of Use?

Portland's Bureau of Development Services (BDS) evaluates change-of-use projects across multiple code disciplines simultaneously. Understanding these requirements upfront prevents costly redesigns mid-project.

Occupancy Classification Under Oregon Building Code

The Oregon Structural Specialty Code (based on the International Building Code with Oregon amendments) defines occupancy groups that determine which building code provisions apply. The primary groups relevant to change-of-use projects are:

Group	Use	Examples
A-1	Assembly, fixed seating	Theaters, concert halls
A-2	Assembly, food/drink	Restaurants, bars, breweries
A-3	Assembly, worship/recreation	Churches, gyms, galleries
B	Business	Offices, clinics, banks
E	Educational	Schools, daycares (6+ children)
F	Factory/Industrial	Manufacturing, workshops
M	Mercantile	Retail stores, markets
R-1	Residential, transient	Hotels, motels
R-2	Residential, permanent	Apartments, condos
S	Storage	Warehouses, parking garages

When a building's use changes from one group to another — or even between subgroups — BDS requires the building to comply with current code provisions for the new occupancy. This is the fundamental trigger: the building must meet the code as if it were being built new for that use, with limited exceptions for existing conditions.

Zoning Compliance

Before any building code review, BDS verifies that the proposed use is allowed in the property's zoning designation. Portland's zoning code (Title 33) defines which uses are permitted, conditional, or prohibited in each zone. A warehouse in an EG (Employment General) zone may convert to office by right, but converting to residential may require a conditional use review or may not be allowed at all. Checking zoning before investing in design prevents the most expensive mistake in change-of-use projects: designing a buildout for a use the zone doesn't permit.

Building Code Upgrades

The specific upgrades required depend on the gap between the building's current condition and the code requirements for the new occupancy. The most common categories include:

• ADA/accessibility: The new use must meet current Oregon accessibility standards — often the single largest cost driver, especially when an accessible restroom, entrance ramp, or elevator is needed
• Fire separation: Different occupancy groups require different fire-resistance ratings for walls, floors, and ceilings separating the use from adjacent spaces
• Egress: Exit width, travel distance, number of exits, illuminated signage, and panic hardware all change based on occupant load
• Structural/seismic: Oregon requires seismic evaluation when occupancy changes, particularly in unreinforced masonry buildings
• Fire sprinklers: Many occupancy changes trigger the requirement for an automatic fire sprinkler system where none previously existed
• Plumbing fixtures: Restroom counts are calculated based on occupant load, which changes with occupancy classification

Fire and Life Safety

Portland Fire & Rescue reviews change-of-use projects for fire code compliance. Higher-occupancy uses typically require fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, illuminated exit signs, fire extinguishers at specified intervals, and may trigger fire sprinkler requirements. Assembly uses (Group A) with occupant loads over 300 require an automatic fire sprinkler system regardless of building size. Restaurants with commercial cooking equipment require Type I hood systems with integrated fire suppression (typically Ansul wet chemical systems).

Parking Requirements

Portland's zoning code specifies minimum (and in some zones, maximum) parking ratios by use. A change from office to restaurant, for example, increases the required parking ratio. However, Portland has reduced or eliminated minimum parking requirements in many transit-rich areas and the Central City, which can significantly ease change-of-use feasibility in those locations. Properties in zones with no minimum parking requirement effectively eliminate one of the traditional barriers to occupancy changes.

Plumbing Fixture Count

The Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code dictates the number of restroom fixtures (toilets, urinals, lavatories) based on occupancy type and occupant load. A retail space with 2 restrooms may need 4 or more when converted to a restaurant, because the occupant load per square foot increases and the fixture-per-occupant ratio changes. This often requires expanding restroom footprints, adding plumbing runs, and upgrading sewer connections — a significant scope item in older Portland buildings with cast iron waste lines. Commercial restroom buildouts are one of the most underestimated costs in change-of-use projects.

How Does the Portland Change of Use Permit Process Work?

The change-of-use permitting process in Portland follows a structured sequence through BDS, with review timelines that vary based on project complexity and current BDS workload.

Step 1: Pre-Application Conference

For most change-of-use projects, a pre-application conference with BDS is strongly recommended (and sometimes required). This meeting brings together reviewers from planning, building, fire, and site development to discuss the proposed change and identify likely code requirements before you invest in full design. BDS charges a fee for pre-application conferences (currently around $400–$600 depending on review type). The feedback from this meeting shapes the scope of design work and prevents surprises during formal plan review.

Step 2: Design and Documentation

Based on pre-application feedback, your design team prepares construction documents for permit submission. Required documentation typically includes:

• Architectural plans showing existing and proposed layouts
• Structural analysis (especially for seismic evaluation and any load-bearing modifications)
• Mechanical plans (HVAC, ventilation, commercial kitchen equipment)
• Electrical plans (panel schedules, lighting, fire alarm)
• Plumbing plans (fixture counts, grease interceptor, medical gas if applicable)
• Fire sprinkler plans (if system is new or modified)
• Accessibility compliance documentation
• Energy code compliance (Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code)
• Zoning compliance narrative

Step 3: Permit Submission and Plan Review

BDS conducts plan review across multiple disciplines: structural, fire/life safety, accessibility, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and planning/zoning. Complex change-of-use projects typically go through 2–3 review cycles. Current BDS plan review timelines for commercial alterations range from 8–16 weeks for initial review, with additional time for each correction cycle. Expedited review is available for additional fees.

Step 4: Permit Issuance and Construction

Once plans are approved, BDS issues the building permit. Construction proceeds with required inspections at each phase — rough framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in, insulation, fire sprinkler, and final inspections. BDS inspectors verify that work matches approved plans.

Step 5: Final Inspections and Certificate of Occupancy

After all construction is complete and inspections pass, BDS issues a new Certificate of Occupancy reflecting the changed use. The building cannot legally operate under the new occupancy classification until this certificate is issued. For restaurant conversions, you'll also need Oregon Health Authority (OHA) final inspection and food service license before opening. Liquor-licensed establishments need Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) approval, which should be initiated early as it runs on a separate timeline.

Timeline and Permit Costs

A typical Portland change-of-use project runs 6–18 months from initial planning through Certificate of Occupancy, broken down roughly as:

• Pre-application and design: 2–4 months
• Plan review: 3–6 months (including correction cycles)
• Construction: 2–8 months depending on scope

BDS permit fees for commercial alterations are calculated based on project valuation. A $150,000 change-of-use buildout typically generates $8,000–$15,000 in combined permit fees (building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, plan review, and system development charges). Projects requiring fire sprinkler systems, seismic upgrades, or significant structural work will be higher.

What Code Upgrades Are Required for a Change of Use?

Code upgrades represent the largest variable cost in change-of-use projects. The specific requirements depend on the gap between existing conditions and the code demands of the new occupancy, but certain upgrades appear in nearly every project.

ADA and Accessibility Compliance

ADA compliance is often the single largest cost driver in change-of-use projects, particularly in Portland's older building stock. When use changes, the space must meet current Oregon accessibility standards (based on ICC A117.1 with state amendments). Common requirements include:

• Accessible entrance with compliant slope (1:12 maximum for ramps, 1:20 for walking surfaces)
• Accessible restrooms with required clearances (60-inch turning radius, grab bars, compliant fixtures)
• Accessible route throughout the space (36-inch minimum clear width, compliant door hardware)
• Elevator or lift if the new use occupies multiple floors (with limited exceptions for small buildings)
• Accessible parking spaces (number based on total parking count)
• Accessible service counters, if applicable

In multi-story buildings without elevators, ADA compliance can cost $100,000+ for elevator installation alone. Even single-story projects routinely spend $20,000–$50,000 on accessibility upgrades — restroom renovation, entrance modifications, and route compliance.

Fire Sprinkler Systems

Oregon building code requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in several change-of-use scenarios. The most common triggers:

• Assembly uses (Group A) with occupant loads over 300
• Residential uses (Group R) in buildings with 3+ units, or in buildings over 3 stories
• Any occupancy change where the new use is in a higher hazard category and the building exceeds threshold size
• Buildings without adequate fire separation between the changed use and adjacent spaces

Fire sprinkler installation in an existing building typically costs $5–$12 per square foot in Portland, depending on system type (NFPA 13 for commercial, NFPA 13R for residential), ceiling height, and accessibility of the space above the ceiling. A 5,000-square-foot commercial space might run $25,000–$60,000 for a new sprinkler system including design, permitting, and installation.

Seismic Retrofit

Portland sits in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and Oregon building code takes seismic risk seriously. When occupancy changes — particularly to a higher-risk category (residential, assembly) — the building's structural system must be evaluated against current seismic requirements. Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, common throughout Portland's older commercial districts, face the most significant seismic upgrade requirements. Portland's mandatory URM retrofit program adds another layer: buildings on the city's URM inventory must meet retrofit standards on a timeline that accelerates when occupancy changes occur.

Seismic retrofits in Portland URM buildings range from $15–$40 per square foot depending on the building's condition, number of stories, and the structural approach (steel moment frames, shotcrete shear walls, or foundation underpinning). A 10,000-square-foot two-story URM building might require $150,000–$400,000 in seismic work when converting to residential or assembly use.

HVAC and Ventilation

Different occupancies have different ventilation requirements under the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code. Office spaces require 5 CFM per person of outdoor air; restaurants require significantly more, plus dedicated kitchen exhaust. Converting any space to a restaurant requires a Type I commercial exhaust hood over cooking equipment, a dedicated make-up air unit (to replace the air exhausted by the hood), and potentially rooftop equipment that requires structural evaluation. Converting to residential requires individual unit ventilation, bathroom exhaust fans, and compliance with energy code requirements for mechanical systems.

Restroom Count Changes

The Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code specifies fixture counts based on occupancy type and occupant load. Some representative requirements:

Occupancy	Water Closets (per occupant)	Lavatories (per occupant)
Office (B)	1 per 25 (1–50 occ.)	1 per 40
Retail (M)	1 per 500	1 per 750
Restaurant (A-2)	1 per 75	1 per 200
Assembly (A-3)	1 per 125	1 per 200

A 2,000-square-foot retail space (occupant load ~40) needs minimal restrooms. The same space as a restaurant (occupant load ~133 at 15 sq ft/person) needs substantially more fixtures. This often requires expanding restroom footprints, adding plumbing waste lines, and upgrading sewer connections — work that can cost $15,000–$40,000+ in an older building with below-slab plumbing.

Exit and Egress Requirements

Higher-occupancy uses require wider exits, more exit doors, shorter travel distances to exits, illuminated exit signage, emergency lighting, and panic hardware on exit doors. Assembly spaces with occupant loads over 50 require outward-swinging doors with panic hardware. These requirements can fundamentally reshape a floor plan, especially in narrow Portland storefronts where adding a second exit may require negotiating an easement through an adjacent property or constructing an exterior exit corridor.

How Much Does a Change of Use Cost in Portland?

Change-of-use project costs vary dramatically based on the scope of code upgrades required. Here are realistic cost ranges based on our experience as a Portland general contractor (CCB #232383).

Scenario	Typical Range	Primary Cost Drivers
Retail to restaurant (small, <1,500 SF)	$80,000–$180,000	Kitchen equipment, hood system, grease trap, plumbing, ADA restrooms
Retail to restaurant (full-service, 2,000–4,000 SF)	$150,000–$350,000	Full commercial kitchen, bar, expanded restrooms, HVAC, sprinklers
Office to retail	$40,000–$120,000	Storefront modifications, ADA entry, signage, fixture counts
Warehouse to creative office	$60,000–$200,000	HVAC, restrooms, ADA, fire separation, egress upgrades
Warehouse to event space	$100,000–$300,000	Sprinklers, egress, ADA, restrooms, parking, structural review
Commercial to residential (per unit)	$80,000–$150,000	Kitchen/bath per unit, sprinklers, sound, egress windows, seismic
Any conversion in URM building	Add $15–$40/SF	Seismic retrofit (steel frames, shear walls, foundation work)

Design and permitting costs (architect, engineer, permit fees) typically add 15–25% to construction costs. For a $200,000 construction budget, expect $30,000–$50,000 in soft costs for design, engineering, permit fees, and inspections.

The factors that most commonly push change-of-use projects over budget:

• Seismic retrofit in URM buildings: Can double the overall project cost
• Elevator installation for ADA: $100,000–$200,000 for a hydraulic elevator in an existing building
• Fire sprinkler systems: $25,000–$60,000 for a typical commercial space
• Below-slab plumbing: Sawcutting concrete floors to run new waste lines, $10,000–$30,000
• Electrical service upgrade: Three-phase 200A+ service for commercial kitchens, $15,000–$30,000
• Hazardous materials: Asbestos and lead paint abatement in pre-1980 buildings, $5,000–$50,000+

What Portland-Specific Factors Affect Change of Use Projects?

Portland has several local requirements and conditions that make change-of-use projects here different from other cities.

Historic Districts and Landmarks

Properties in Portland's historic districts (Skidmore/Old Town, Alphabet, Ladd's Addition, Irvington, and others) or individually listed on the National Register face additional design review. The Portland Historic Landmarks Commission reviews exterior alterations for compatibility with the historic character. This affects signage, storefront modifications, window replacements, and exterior accessibility ramps. Interior work is generally not subject to historic review unless it affects the building's structural integrity. Historic tax credits (federal 20% and Oregon state 25%) can offset costs significantly for qualifying rehabilitation projects — a 45% combined credit on eligible expenses makes otherwise-prohibitive projects financially viable.

Design Review Overlay Zones

Many of Portland's commercial corridors and districts are subject to design review overlay zones (the "d" overlay in Portland's zoning maps). Projects in these areas that alter building exteriors — including new signage, awnings, entrance modifications, or storefront changes — require design review approval from BDS or the Design Commission, depending on project size. This adds 2–4 months to the timeline and requires design review fees.

Neighborhood Notification and Land Use Reviews

Some change-of-use scenarios trigger land use reviews that require notification to surrounding property owners and neighborhood associations. Conditional use reviews (required when the proposed use is "conditional" rather than "permitted" in the zone) involve public notice, a comment period, and a hearing before the hearings officer. This process adds 3–6 months and $5,000–$10,000 in fees and professional costs. Portland's active neighborhood associations often participate in these reviews, and early engagement with the relevant association can smooth the process.

Liquor License Coordination for Restaurant and Bar Conversions

Restaurant and bar conversions require coordination between BDS permitting and OLCC licensing. OLCC requires a physical premises inspection and issues licenses tied to a specific address and floor plan. The OLCC application process runs 60–90 days and should be initiated during construction, not after — waiting until the buildout is complete adds months of dead rent to the project.

Portland's Reduced Parking Requirements

Portland has progressively reduced or eliminated minimum parking requirements in many areas, particularly within the Central City, along frequent transit corridors, and in designated centers. For change-of-use projects, this is significant: traditional parking requirements have historically been a deal-breaker for conversions in dense areas (a restaurant use might require parking that a retail use did not). In zones where parking minimums have been eliminated, this barrier disappears entirely. Check the specific zoning designation and any applicable plan district regulations to determine whether parking applies to your site.

Portland's URM Building Retrofit Program

Portland's mandatory unreinforced masonry (URM) retrofit ordinance affects hundreds of buildings citywide. Buildings on the URM inventory must meet seismic retrofit standards within defined timelines. A change of use can accelerate these requirements — the retrofit may need to be completed before or concurrent with the occupancy change, rather than on the city's longer compliance timeline. If you're considering purchasing or leasing a URM building for a change-of-use project, factor seismic retrofit costs into your feasibility analysis from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers a change of use in Portland?

A change of use is triggered whenever a building's occupancy classification changes under the Oregon building code — for example, from Group M (retail) to Group A-2 (restaurant), or from Group S (warehouse) to Group B (office). The trigger is the change in occupancy group, not necessarily a change in the business type. Two different retail businesses occupying the same space typically don't trigger a change of use because the occupancy group (M) stays the same. But converting a retail space to a yoga studio changes the occupancy from M to A-3 (assembly), which triggers the full review process even though both uses seem "commercial."

How long does a change of use take in Portland?

Most change-of-use projects in Portland take 6–18 months from initial planning through Certificate of Occupancy. Simple changes (office to retail in a code-compliant building) can move faster — 4–6 months if design is straightforward and BDS review goes smoothly. Complex conversions (warehouse to residential, any project requiring seismic retrofit or sprinkler installation) typically take 12–18 months. The single biggest timeline variable is BDS plan review, which currently runs 8–16 weeks for initial review of commercial alteration permits, with each correction cycle adding 4–8 weeks.

Do I need a change of use permit for a home office in Portland?

No — a home office for the resident of the dwelling does not trigger a change of use. Portland's zoning code allows home occupations (Type A and Type B) that permit business activity within a dwelling, subject to specific restrictions on employees, client visits, signage, and square footage. A Type A home occupation (no employees, no client visits) requires no permit. A Type B home occupation (limited employees or client visits) requires a home occupation permit but not a change of use. The occupancy classification remains Group R (residential). However, if you want to convert a residential building into a standalone commercial office that the public visits, that is a change of use from Group R to Group B.

What code upgrades are required for a change of use?

The specific upgrades depend on the gap between the building's current code compliance and the requirements for the new occupancy group. The most common upgrade categories are ADA accessibility (accessible entrance, restrooms, and path of travel), fire/life safety (sprinklers, alarms, exit signage, emergency lighting), structural/seismic (especially in URM buildings), mechanical ventilation (different occupancies have different air change requirements), plumbing (fixture count changes based on new occupant load), and egress (exit width, number of exits, travel distance). A pre-application conference with BDS is the best way to identify the specific upgrades your project will require before investing in full design.

Can I convert a warehouse to residential in Portland?

Yes, but it depends on zoning and involves substantial code upgrades. Warehouse-to-residential conversions are allowed in many of Portland's mixed-use and employment zones, and Portland has a track record of successful conversions — the Pearl District and Central Eastside are full of them. The key considerations are: (1) zoning must permit residential use in that location; (2) the building needs residential-grade systems — sprinklers per NFPA 13R, bedroom egress windows, kitchen and bath plumbing for each unit, sound isolation between units, and energy code compliance; (3) seismic evaluation is required and often results in significant structural work in older buildings; and (4) ADA compliance for common areas and a percentage of units. These conversions typically cost $80,000–$150,000 per unit in construction, plus design and permitting.

How much does a change of use cost in Portland?

Total project costs (design, permitting, and construction) range from $50,000 for simple occupancy changes in code-compliant buildings to $500,000+ for complex conversions involving seismic retrofit, sprinkler installation, elevator addition, and full MEP overhaul. The most common range for a small-to-mid-sized commercial change of use (under 5,000 SF) is $100,000–$250,000. Design and permitting soft costs typically add 15–25% on top of construction costs. The single best way to get a reliable cost estimate is to complete a pre-application conference with BDS first, which identifies the required code upgrades, and then have a contractor provide pricing based on those known requirements rather than assumptions.

Do I need an architect for a change of use?

Oregon law requires a licensed architect for commercial projects that involve structural changes or new construction exceeding certain thresholds. For most change-of-use projects, you'll need an architect to prepare the construction documents for BDS plan review. You'll also typically need a structural engineer (for seismic evaluation and any load-bearing modifications), and potentially mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers depending on the scope. For restaurant conversions, a commercial kitchen designer is also advisable. Your general contractor should be involved early — ideally before design begins — to provide constructability input and preliminary budgeting that keeps the design aligned with your budget.

What happens if I operate under a different use without a permit?

Operating a building under an occupancy classification that doesn't match its Certificate of Occupancy is a code violation. BDS can issue a stop-work order, require the space to cease operations, and impose fines. More critically, operating without the correct occupancy classification creates serious liability: if a fire, injury, or structural failure occurs in a building operating outside its permitted use, insurance coverage may be voided entirely. The building owner, tenant, and contractor can all face liability. The permitting process exists to ensure life safety — fire exits, sprinklers, structural capacity, and accessibility are calibrated to the actual use and occupant load. Skipping the process puts people at risk.

Start Your Portland Change of Use Project

Change-of-use projects in Portland require navigating building code, zoning, fire/life safety, accessibility, and often seismic requirements simultaneously. Getting the scope right early — through a pre-application conference and experienced contractor involvement — prevents the budget overruns and timeline delays that derail projects mid-stream.

Boss PDX is a Portland general contractor (CCB #232383) with deep experience in commercial occupancy changes, restaurant buildouts, commercial kitchen construction, and commercial tenant improvements. We work with your architect and engineers from pre-application through Certificate of Occupancy.

Call 844-BOSS-PDX or request a free estimate to discuss your change-of-use project. We'll help you understand the code requirements, realistic costs, and timeline before you commit to a lease or purchase.