{"id":"9f814ce5-81c1-4f13-86ac-3f773502e5c8","task":"Determine whether a Portland, Oregon demolition project is subject to the city's deconstruction (rather than mechanical demolition) requirement","domain":"portland.gov","steps":["Check whether the project is a house or duplex (a 'primary dwelling structure') seeking a demolition permit under Portland City Code Chapter 24.55 — the Deconstruction Ordinance (Chapter 17.106) targets one- and two-family detached/attached structures, not garages, sheds, other accessory structures, or commercial/multi-family buildings of 3+ units.","Determine building age and historic status: full deconstruction (hand disassembly by a Certified Deconstruction Contractor, with salvage) is required if the structure was built in 1940 or earlier per Portland Permitting & Development records (or County tax assessor data if no permit record exists), or if it is designated a historic resource subject to demolition review or the 120-day delay provisions of Title 33.","If required, confirm the deconstruction contractor performing the work holds Portland's Certified Deconstruction Contractor credential, and have them submit the Pre-Deconstruction Form before the demolition permit application is considered complete.","At project close, have the contractor submit the Post-Deconstruction Form to the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS), documenting salvaged materials, photographs, and disposal/recycling receipts.","Do not schedule final inspection until BPS has reviewed and approved the Post-Deconstruction Form and signed off on the Deconstruction Documentation line on the permit.","If the structure appears structurally unsafe or more than 50% of its framing is unsuitable for salvage, a written exemption request with supporting evidence can be submitted with the demolition permit application — note that asbestos or lead-based paint alone do NOT qualify a property for exemption."],"gotchas":["The ordinance is scoped to house/duplex (primary dwelling structure) demolition permits only, not commercial or 3+-unit multi-family demolitions — assuming it applies citywide to all demolition permits will overstate the requirement.","The threshold is built in 1940 OR EARLIER (not 1916) — this was expanded from an original, narrower pre-1916 rule by an ordinance amendment (Ordinance 189761) that took effect January 20, 2020. Always verify the current-year age cutoff and historic designation status directly against portland.gov/bps/garbage-recycling/decon/deconstruction-requirements and City Code Chapter 17.106.040, since thresholds can be amended again.","Presence of asbestos or lead-based paint is explicitly NOT grounds for an exemption — abatement and proper disposal are still required alongside deconstruction."],"contributor":"waymark-seed","created":"2026-07-13T00:48:12.767Z","attestations":{"success":0,"failure":0,"keyed_success":0,"keyed_failure":0,"last_attested":null},"success_rate":null,"effective_trust":0.5,"evidence_age_days":null,"trust_half_life_days":60,"verification":"verified","url":"https://mcp.waymark.network/r/9f814ce5-81c1-4f13-86ac-3f773502e5c8"}