Announcements
Portland City Council will hear and make a decision on proposed amendments relating to permit extensions, abandonment, expiration, reactivations and voiding. The amendments apply to building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and sign permits, as well as amendments specific to wireless facility permits.
https://www.portland.gov/bds/n
Proposed Ordinance to Amend City Building Code Provisions to Clarify Permit Abandonment, Expiration, Extensions, and Reactivation (https://www.portland.gov/site
How to submit testimony to the City Council
This ordinance will come before the Portland City Council on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, no earlier than 10:30 a.m. (time certain). The City Council meeting will be held online. Those who wish to watch the City Council meeting but not testify may watch a livestream of the meeting through the City’s video page (https://www.portlandoregon.go
Verbal testimony
Verbal testimony can be provided through a computer, mobile device or telephone during the hearing. Anyone interested in providing verbal testimony on this ordinance can register through the City Council Clerk’s office (https://www.portlandoregon.go
The deadline to sign up to give verbal testimony at the March 31 City Council hearing is Tuesday, March 30, at 4 p.m. Those who sign up will receive a confirmation email message containing information about joining the virtual hearing. Individuals have three minutes to testify, unless stated otherwise at the hearing. Please email the Council Clerk at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]
Written testimony
Written testimony can be submitted through the Council Clerk at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]
An overview of the recommendation
The ordinance that will be considered by the City Council:
* Amends the City Code chapters for building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and sign permits.
* Clarifies when permits are abandoned or expired, when BDS will extend permit applications and issued permits, when BDS will reactivate abandoned or expired permits, and when applications or permits become Void, to be consistent with State building codes, current BDS practices, and the adopted Program Guide (https://www.portland.gov/site
* Limits the time within which an applicant for a cell phone infrastructure permit has to get the permit application issued and the project complete.
Following the public hearing, it is anticipated that the City Council will refer the ordinance to a second reading and final vote at a date in early April. If adopted by the City Council, the ordinance will take effect 30 days after its passage.
The COVID-19 relief package with many of the provisions that NARI has be vigorously advocating for since the fist stimulus package has passed both houses of Congress and is expected to be signed by the President. The full text of the negotiated bill which includes both the COVID stimulus and government funding packages was just released and is available here.
The bill is extensive being 5593 pages long. We are pleased to report that the following items which we have been tracking and vigorously advocating on have made it into the final bill:
- PPP second draw for businesses with 300 or fewer employees that experience a 25% reduction in gross receipts in any quarter in 2020 as compared to the same quarter in 2019
- Expansion of the forgivable purposes for which PPP loan funds may be used
- Simplified PPP forgiveness process for loans under $150k
- Confirmation that expenses paid using forgiven PPP funds may still be deductible (reversal of IRS position)
- Extension and expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
You may want to call your bank to get in line for the new money
- This is the first meeting in 2 years with a commissioner attending. He was particularly interested in the homeless issue in Portland and how it affected our industry. Having 1 or 2 DRAC members attend council meetings to address specific issues was discussed.
There were some interesting links provided to updates on permit intakes, new fees, and an overview of how both commercial and residential inspections are being handled right now.
Permit Intake and Response Time Delays - https://www.portland.gov/bds/news/2020/9/18/permit-intake-and-response-time-delays
Permit BDS Fee Increases - https://www.portland.gov/bds/news/2020/11/18/most-bds-permit-fees-increasing-dec-1-submit-complete-plans-nov-30-avoid
Permit Processing Metrics - https://development-services-pdx.hub.arcgis.com/pages/permitting-dashboard
A.) You now have 24 weeks (up from 8) from the date your covered period starts in which to spend the money (unless your 24 week mark ends after 12/31/20 - then you have till 12/31/20)
B.) You only need to spend at least 60% on p/r (down from 75%). Any not spent on payroll can still be spent on rent, mortgage interest and utilities as before. Important note: unlike before, if you spend less than 60% on payroll you now forfeit ALL forgiveness! The entire amount of PPP must be a loan. But you got 24 weeks! Who can’t make that?!
C.) This is only for new PPP loans after the act becomes law: any amounts not forgiven, you now have 5 years minimum (up from 2) at 1% interest to pay back before you need to refi.
D.) You may now defer the employer share of social security payments from your payroll tax deposits during this year if you got PPP. The amount you defer is due as follows: 50% due 12/31/21 and the rest 12/31/22. Now I don’t like debt - even 0% debt, but if you need it - take it!
BDS pivoted quickly after the Mayor’s State of Emergency to start accepting more types of plans via ProjectDox. Currently, applicants can submit Process Managed Permits and projects in Tiers 1- 6 (https://www.portlandoregon.go
* Permit applications are now accepted for projects in all tiers 1-7.
* For projects being submitted electronically using ProjectDox software, BDS is accepting two projects per day. Permitting Services staff will work with applicants to determine suitability of their projects via this submittal method. All other projects can still be submitted using the Single PDF (Interim Review) Process (https://www.portlandoregon.go
Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments - IRS Website
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
April 27, 2020
For the week of April 27, BDS is accepting permit applications for projects described in Tiers 1 through 6 below:
* Tier 1 - Hospitals and clinics responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, essential infrastructure and services such as heat, shelters and transitional housing projects, essential facilities such as the PDX terminal upgrades and BES wastewater treatment plant, and fire escape testing.
* Tier 2 - Projects that are working with BDS Process Management/Major Projects Group, wireless facilities that are subject to Federal Communications Commission timeline requirements, city infrastructure and facilities projects not covered by Tier 1, food supply related projects essential to the COVID-19 pandemic, submittals associated with projects that have an issued building permit and are under construction (this includes revisions, deferred submittals, and HVAC and electrical trade permits). This is to allow active job sites to continue to function and move these construction projects toward completion.
* Tier 3 - Portland Housing Bureau affordable housing projects (that are not working with BDS Process Management/Major Projects Group), and empowered Community Projects (Small Business Empowerment, Arts Empowerment, Empowered Neighborhoods).
* Tier 4 - Regulated affordable housing projects with associated grant funding (that are not working with BDS Process Management/Major Projects Group), and Facility Permit Program (FPP) permits (https://www.portlandoregon.go
* Tier 5 - New single family residential (NSFR) permits and demolition permits that are a requirement of an active Land Use case or are associated with development of a new structure on the same site.
* Tier 6 - Commercial and residential new construction, alterations, and additions that are not listed in any of the above tiers (the plan sets for these submittals must not exceed 20 pages and must be submitted as a PDF via an intake appointment), and mechanical permits that require plan review.
* Tier 7 - Permits for all other projects, Zoning Permits, etc. (not currently available)
If you have questions about which tier your project might belong to, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]
Additional Resources for Small BusinessesThe SBA and local partners are committed to help small businesses recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. The following are additional resources for small businesses:
- Funding: SBA 7(a), 504 and microloans, on which the SBA is offering Debt Relief; or, SBA Express Bridge Loans.
- Advising: The SBA Resource Partner Network for business resiliency readiness advising and training.
- Tax Relief: IRS information about tax relief for businesses.
- State Resources: Programming information from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska state governments.
1. What loans are available to help small businesses during Coronavirus?
- The Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
- The Paycheck Protection Loan (Part of the CARES Act).
- Unemployment Insurance Flow Chart
April 1, 2020
1. NARi National Webinar Recording: "The Economy in the Time of Virus and How It Might Impact Remodelers" Click Here for Recording
March 30, 2020
1 Prepared by the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY PLANS. To apply for funds see attachment.
Small Business Guide and Checklist Is Click Here. If you would like to read the entire bill just Click Here.
2 The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are now available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by the loss of revenue due to the Coronavirus.
SBA Office of Disaster Assistance Contacts for the Public
For More Information about SBA disaster
assistance programs, go to: www.sba.gov/disaster or contact SBA's
Customer Service Center at: 1-800-659-2955 / 1-800-877-8339 (TTY) Or by email at: [email protected]
3 Small business and COVID-19 Employer Requirements presentation. If you would like a copy emailed to you please email [email protected]
We will also be highlighting these topics on our Zoom meeting on Wednesday April 1, 2020. Register and I will send you the meeting link. Click Here
City of Portland - Bureau of Development Services
Many of our services are available to you from your home. Using Development Hub PDX (https://devhub.portlandoregon
For the latest information on our service availability (for the week of March 30), please click on the links below according to your interest.
1. New Permit Intakes (https://www.portlandoregon.go
2. Plan Review for Current Permits (https://www.portlandoregon.go
3. Corrections to Plans (https://www.portlandoregon.go
4. Inspections (https://www.portlandoregon.go
5. Land Use Services (https://www.portlandoregon.go
6. FIR and FPP Programs (https://www.portlandoregon.go
7. Questions about Property, Projects and Records (https://www.portlandoregon.go
8. Trade Permits (https://www.portlandoregon.go
9. Payments (https://www.portlandoregon.go
10. Property Compliance - Enforcement and Liens (https://www.portlandoregon.go
11. Permitting and Inspections Services from Other Bureaus (https://www.portlandoregon.go
March 27, 2020
A: The most common source of funding comes in the form of loans, but this may change with federal legislation. Even if loans aren’t desirable, there are many different types of loans out there which can be used to pay rent, utilities, payroll, and more. The US Small Business Administration offers disaster assistance in the form of SBA loans to designated states. Information about these loans is available at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/
1. Clackamas County Small Business Grants To avoid lyoffs and/or closure, Grants up to $5000. For more Information email [email protected] or call the office, 503-788-2274
2. WorkSource Oregon We want to make sure you are aware of all the programs and resources that could provide support for your immediate needs during the COVID-19 coronavirus situation.
Here are some key resources/information:
- Workers can initiate filing an Unemployment Insurance claim by applying online or by calling 877-345-3484. Our video resources can help explain Unemployment Insurance.
- WorkShare Oregon is a key program that helps you keep skilled employees during slow times by providing partial Unemployment Insurance benefits to supplement employees' reduced hours.
- Another resource for small businesses and employers planning and responding to the impacts of COVID-19 is the National Business Emergency Operations Center.
- The Employment Department is committed to the health and safety of our customers and the public and has created a COVID-19 Resource Guide.
- The State of Oregon offers COVID-19 information.
- If your business or employees have questions related to COVID-19, please email us.
Click here to view a full list of upcoming NARI webinars.
Click here to view previously recorded on-demand webinars.
7. Link to IRS Update on tax filing Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020 - Updated Statement
8. Articles: Coronavirus – Leading and Working Through a Pandemic, Harvard Business Review
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11. March 23, 2020 CCB Update: Governor's Executive Order, COVID-19 Heath and Safety Resources https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORCCB/bulletins/282c7ad