Tenant Improvement Process

The Tenant Improvement Process is designed to:
  • Assist tenants with their contractual requirements
  • Minimize tenant design expense
  • Ensure smooth and timely construction

The full six step process is for a new tenant build-out.
Depending on the scope and complexity of your project, some steps may be simplified or eliminated. Ask your TI Team.

Get started - pre-design

This process is for a new Tenant build-out. Depending on the complexity & scope of your project, some steps may be simplified or eliminated. Ask your TI Team.

1.1 Contact the Port of Portland Tenant Improvement Team: tenantimprovements@portofportland.com
1.2 Assemble Your Design Team

Architects/Designers, Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineers & Consultants General Contractor, etc.

Please note: All construction drawings and documents must be signed and stamped by an architect or engineer licensed in Oregon.
1.3 Attend Pre-Design Meeting

To schedule meeting, contact: tenantimprovements@portofportland.com
Typical Meeting Agenda: (available upon request)
1.4 Request As-constructed Drawings

Contact: tenantimprovements@portofportland.com
1.5 Have Your Design Team Review:

PDX Terminal Design Standards:
(available upon request)

Port Master Specifications and Standard Drawing Details:
https://www.portofportland.com/Business/MasterSpecs

Please note: Tenant projects are not required to follow Port CAD standards.

Schematic design

Schematic Design focuses on architectural design, space planning, circulation, and unique issues specific the Tenant location as discussed in the Pre-Design meeting.

2.1 Submit for Schematic Design Review (+/- 30%)

SD Checklist: (available upon request)

Please note: Port review period is 15 business days.

2.2 FAA 7460 Application (When applicable)

Port Fact sheet 7460 process: (available upon request)

Please note: FAA 7460 can take 90-120 days.
2.3 Site Walk with Port Facility Engineers

Mandatory for Tenant Architects/Designers and MEP Engineers Recommended for General Contractors

To schedule meeting, contact: tenantimprovements@portofportland.com

Design development

Design Development focuses on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other systems as well as architectural details, materials & finishes, furniture, lighting, etc.

3.1 Revise Design and Drawings

Incorporate Port comments from Schematic Design Review and information from Site Walk discussion with Port Facility Engineers.
3.2 Submit for DD Review (+/- 60%)

DD Checklist: (available upon request)

Please note: Port review period for DD review is 5 business days followed by a page-turn review meeting.
3.3 Attend Design Development Page Turn Meeting
To schedule meeting, contact: tenantimprovements@portofportland.com

Typical Meeting Agenda: (available upon request)
3.4 Contact City of Portland Facility Permit Program

https://www.portland.gov/bds/commercial-permitting/fpp-facility-permit-program
3.5 Contact Multnomah County Health Department
(When applicable)

https://multco.us/health/inspections-and-licensing

3.6 Start Security Badging Process

https://www.portofportland.com/PDX/SecurityBadging

Please note: Badging process can take 4-6 weeks

Construction permit

A Port Tenant Construction Permit AND City of Portland Permits are required. All construction drawings and documents must be stamped and signed by an architect or engineer licensed in Oregon.

4.1 Revise Design and Drawings

Incorporate discussion from Design Development review.
Proceed to +/- 90% Construction Documents.
4.2 Submit Completed & Signed Port Tenant Construction Permit Application
https://cdn.portofportland.com/pdfs/Tenant-Permit-App.pdf
4.3 Submit +/- 90% Construction Permint Drawings

CD Checklist: (available upon request)

Please note: Port review period is 15 business days.
4.4 Submit for City of Portland Permits
https://www.portland.gov/bds/commercial-permitting/fpp-facility-permit-program

Please note: City of Portland permits can take 4-6 weeks.
4.5 Submit Construction Deposit

See Tenant Construction Permit Application for Deposit Table

The Construction Deposit is fully refundable upon receipt of all required Close Out items.
4.6 Submit 100% Issued for Construction Documents

See Tenant Construction Permit Application for Deposit Table

Incorporate all open Port comments and any AHJ comments. All construction drawings and documents must be signed and stamped by an architect or engineer licensed in Oregon.

Construction

Construction cannot begin until all permits are issued & all jurisdictional requirements are met.

5.1 Attend Pre-Construction Meeting

To schedule meeting, contact: tenantimprovements@portofportland.com

Typical Meeting Agenda: (available upon request)
5.2 Coordinate Deliveries, Night Work, & Shutdowns

Construction FAQs: (available upon request)
5.3 Schedule Inspections w/ Port & City Inspectors
5.4 Schedule Punch Walk
To schedule meeting, contact: tenantimprovements@portofportland.com
5.5 Open for Business!
Celebrate, you’ve earned it.

Close out

Close Out must be completed within 90 calendar days of official opening date.

6.1 Complete Punch List
6.2 Submit Close Out Items

Typical Close Out Checklist: (available upon request)
6.3 Construction Deposit Returned
Contacts
More Information