Service Level Update: Site Services Division

Residential Fire Damage Inspection Program

October 19, 2009. Budgetary constraints have necessitated significant staffing reductions to the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services. All programs within the Bureau are being evaluated to find efficiencies and monitor cost recovery efforts for the types of services provided. At this time it is necessary to modify the existing Residential Fire Damage Inspection Program to maintain an acceptable level of service. We believe that the Residential Fire Damage Inspection Program is valuable to property owners, insurance companies, and fire restoration contractors in streamlining the permit process and getting occupants back into their homes as quickly as possible. The following changes will be implemented effective October 19, 2009:

• Fire Damage Inspections will become a fee paid inspection. To request a fire damage inspection, the owner or agent will need to complete an application form and submit payment to the Bureau of Development Services. The current One and Two Family Dwelling requested inspection fee is $116. The online application form can be found at http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?c=45059&a=266804. A complete application and payment can be submitted at the Development Services Center, first floor, 1900 SW 4th Ave. The Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., it is closed on Mondays. A fire damage inspection request may also be submitted via mail by sending the application and check (made payable to the City of Portland) to the Bureau of Development Services, Compliance Services Section, 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 5000, Portland OR 97201.
• BDS staff will no longer run daily residential fire reports from the Portland Fire Bureau and will only conduct Fire Damage Inspections once the “Fee Paid Inspection Request” form and payment is received.
• A Fire Damage “FD” case will be setup in TRACS, the building permit database, once the “Fee Paid Inspection Request” form and payment is received.
• The fire damage inspection may be completed as early as the following day from the date the “Fee Paid Inspection Request” form is received, or a later time coordinated between the inspector and owner/agent.
• The Bureau of Development Services inspector will continue to determine the scope of the repairs and issue a report for the necessary repairs. The report will contain information on minimum structural repair options to original conditions, code required upgrades, and whether or not plans are required as part of the permit. In almost all cases,building permits are required for fire damage repair, while plans may not be required as part of the building permit submittal. Components of fire damaged electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems are required to be repaired to current code and will be included in the inspection report.
• The report will be entered into the “FD” case within TRACS.
• Once the Residential permit is issued to repair the fire damage, the same inspector that issued the “FD” report will conduct requested permit inspections (as resources allow).

With these changes we plan to continue the Residential Fire Damage Inspection Program and apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause. We believe in the value of the Residential Fire Damage Inspection Program and hope that you will continue to partner with us to keep the program successful in the obtaining the speedy reoccupation of residential fire damaged properties.

If you have questions you may contact Mike Liefeld at (503) 823-7332.

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