The City of Portland has named Natalie Didion as its new Building Official, a move that places Didion at the fore of the city's building code enforcement, permitting, and inspection efforts. With her extensive background in architecture and building code examination, Didion is tasked with spearheading the administration of these critical city services. According to the City of Portland, Didion joined the Bureau of Development Services in 2014 and has served in a supervisory capacity since 2017, demonstrating a deep grasp of building regulations and a commitment to improving the review process.
Previously holding the position of commercial plans examiner, Didion managed a team of experts at Permitting & Development, enforcing building code compliance for residential and commercial structures. Her recent recognition as Plans Examiner of the Year underscores her dedication and effectiveness in her field. As the city's building code expert, Didion will interpret the applicable codes, and her decisions can be appealed to independent appeals boards supported by her team. She will also collaborate with the Fire Marshal to ensure the smooth and consistent application of codes during development review processes.
In a statement by Permitting & Development, David Kuhnhausen, the interim director, praised Didion's history of improvements, including updating policies and hailing her for promoting pre-approved plans and actively engaging with applicants to streamline the review cycle. Kuhnhausen said, as per the City of Portland, "She understands the complexities of building codes and works diligently with customers to resolve challenges. She is an excellent choice for this important role." Didion fills the role previously occupied by Matt Rozzell, whom Kuhnhausen thanked for his service during a particularly challenging period for Portland's construction industry.
