1. Fill out the meeting request application and gather the following:
• A written statement and questions regarding your project,  
• A proposed site plan
• The more project information you provide, the better the feedback from staff will be.
  Some examples of additional information you may want to provide is:
• Building elevations
• Site circulation plans
• Preliminary infrastructure plans
• Phasing plans
  
  
2. Email your items to the Development & Permitting Team at Permits@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov

Meetings are free and take about an hour.

Staff from the following divisions and departments may be present to provide information and feedback: Building, Economic Development, Fire & Rescue, Parks & Recreation, Planning, Public Works, Transportation Systems, and Water. 

Staff from Clean Water Services, Portland General Electric, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Washington County are also invited to certain meetings depending on the location and scope of the project. 

Type I Application Procedures

Applications generally take 24 hours or less to review and approve.

Type II Application Procedures 

Applications are processed in approximately four to six weeks. They require public notice and opportunity for appeal, but do not require a public hearing.

Type III Application Procedures

Applications are processed in approximately three to four months. They require require public notice and a public hearing, and most require a neighborhood meeting.

Applying for a land use application or permit can be done in person or virtually via email.

If you’re not sure which application is right for you, give us a call and we can help.

1. Download and fill out the appropriate application for your project from the land use application and fees section. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, contact us.
   
   
2. Submit the application in person or via email to Permits@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov
   
   
3. Payment
   • Over the counter permits are typically reviewed within 24 hours, staff will send you a link to pay for permit fees and will issue the permit shortly after the payment has processed.
   • Land Use applications require review. Staff will send you a link to pay the application fee.  
     
     
4. Review - Land Use Applications
   • You will also receive a link from our ProjectDox portal to upload your application documents and plans.
     
     
5. Next Steps
   • Once you have uploaded all the required application materials and have completed your task, the review process will begin. Visit the Review webpage for more information.

A Universal Application is used to process the following land use requests.

Annexations & Policy Adaptations 

• Annexation: Transferring jurisdiction over properties within Urban Growth Boundary from Washington County to City of Hillsboro.
  • South Hillsboro Area 2 Service Availability
  • Petition to Annex and the Census Data Form
    
    
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Requesting a site-specific amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Map based on changing community conditions, needs, and desires.
  
  
• Zone Change: Requesting a change to the Zoning Map to implement a different zoning designation for a parcel of land.

Development Applications 

• Adjustment: Does not have a stand-alone application. Check the adjustment box on your universal application. A fee will apply.
  
  
• Conditional Use: Requesting approval of a use that requires a higher level of review because of their size operational characteristics, or other factors.
  
  
• Development Review: An application that reviews site planning, impacts of development, transportation review, and adherence to the Zoning Requirements. This includes Full Dwelling Short Term Rentals.
  
  
• Expedited Land Division Preliminary Plat:  An application for land divisions for residential use on land that is not mapped with Goal 5 resources.
  
  
• Expedited/Middle Housing Land Division Final Plat:  An application for a Final Plat land   division for Middle Housing.
  
  
• Final Plat:  An application that reviews the Final Plat for any type of land partition. Once your plat has recorded, you may submit for Building Permits as allowed by our Building Permit Authorization Policy.
  
  
• Middle Housing Land Division Preliminary Plat:  An application for partitions or subdivisions of a lot that is (1) located in a middle housing zone and (2) has been developed or approved for development for a middle housing project.
  
  
• Modifications: Requesting to modify previously approved land use applications.
  
  
• Non-Conforming Use or Structure Expansion: Requesting to expand pre-existing legally compliant uses or structures.
  
  
• Non-Temporary Emergency Shelter:  A Non-Temporary Emergency Shelter that is located in a building that is available year-round for sheltering.
  
  
• Partition: Requesting to divide one parcel into two or three parcels.
  
  
• Planned Unit Development: Requesting flexibility, innovation, and diversity in location and design and/or special adjustments to code standards.
  
  
• Property Line Adjustment / Lot Consolidation: Requesting to relocate a common boundary between lots of record without creating or reducing the number of lots.
  
  
• Subdivision: Requesting to divide one parcel into four or more parcels.
  
  
• Variance: Requesting to deviate from code standards that has a hardship component.
  
  
• Zoning Review:  An application for the development of new single detached dwellings, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and middle housing units on existing lots. The Zoning Review Checklist or Zoning Review Cottage Cluster Supplemental also need to be submitted with the application.

Historic Buildings 

• Cultural Resource Alteration, Nomination, or Approval: Requesting to add, alter, or remove a Cultural Resource from the City’s Cultural Resources Inventory.
  
  
• Development Review in Conservation Districts: An application that reviews site planning, impacts of development, transportation review, and adherence to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning.

Natural Resource Applications 

• Floodplain Activity: Requesting to allow activity within the City’s Regulatory Floodplain Overlay.
  
  
• Significant Natural Resource Permit: Requesting to allow activity within the City’s Significant Natural Resource Overlay.

Residential Density Calculation Worksheet: To monitor compliance with State regulations and the Metro Functional Plan, the City must track the net densities of new residential developments in the City. This worksheet must be completed by the applicant and submitted with the preliminary application for any residential or mixed-use subdivision, planned unit development, partition, or development review approval.

This worksheet is not required for Zoning Reviews and Middle Housing Land Divisions.

• Animal Permit: Request a permit to allow chickens, bees, or livestock within City limits.

• Beekeeping Labels: Prior to applying for an Animal Permit for beekeeping, the applicant must send notification to surrounding property owners of their intent to keep bees. The City  will  provide the applicant with mailing labels. 

• Directors Interpretation: A process to clarify terms or phrases within the Community Development Code.
  
  
• Director’s Interpretation: Request for Reasonable Accommodation: A process to clarify terms or phrases within the Community Development Code.
  
  
• Appeal: Requesting reconsideration of a decision by a higher authority.

• Fence Permit: Requesting a permit to construct a new fence or to change an existing fence within City limits.

• Cultural Resource Alteration, Nomination, or Approval: Requesting to add, alter, or remove a Cultural Resource from the City’s Cultural Resources Inventory.

• Mobile or Temporary Business: Requesting a permit to allow mobile or temporary businesses for limited durations.
  
  
• Mobile or Temporary Business Spanish Version 
  
  
• Temporary Use: Requesting a permit to allow temporary operations for limited durations.

• Partial-Dwelling Short Term Rental: If you are renting out a portion of your dwelling, and will remain on site during the rental period

• Sign Permit: Requesting a permit to construct a new sign or to change an existing sign within City limits.