The City of Portland's Bureau of Development Services (BDS) is rolling out a revamped application process for those seeking permits for New Single-Family Residences and New Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. Starting Thursday, April 25, the bureau has promised a more efficient and user-friendly experience for applicants, as announced on the city’s website.

In a bid to slash red tape and expedite the construction process, the BDS has retooled its application procedures to cut out "unnecessary steps" and streamline paperwork. An updated application form, which now employs conditional logic, promises to adapt to the specific needs of a project, presenting only pertinent questions to applicants. “Our updated application will guide you through the intake process with clear and concise instructions, ensuring a more efficient and straightforward experience,” according to the City of Portland, Oregon.

The application improvements also extend to a help text embedded within the form, purportedly to better explain and guide applicants through each stage of the application. To boost transparency, the city's bureau aims to "demystify the application process" and provide clients with the necessary knowledge and resources to navigate the system more effectively.

Applicants who currently have incomplete applications in the pipeline have been given notice by the BDS to wrap things up by the close of business on Wednesday, April 24. Incomplete applications left hanging in the old system will be tossed out, and applicants will need to start anew using the enhanced process kicking in on April 25. In a tactical move, the BDS has also reached out to those who are not too far along with their applications, advising them to hold off for a few days before restarting them under the new regimen, which the bureau assures will be "easier and more intuitive to use."

Finally, BDS has reiterated its commitment to providing support through the construction project lifecycle. Those in need of assistance with the new application process can reach out to the dedicated team of professionals at BDS by phone at 503-823-7300 or by scheduling a 15-minute appointment with a technician willing to help. “BDS is committed to supporting customers throughout their construction projects,” declares the bureau, on hand to assist with questions or concerns, as per the City of Portland, Oregon.